READING FOR APRIL 7, 2026: 2 KINGS 19, 1 CORINTHIANS 3, PSALM 28:6-9
2 KINGS 19 Of course King Hezekiah was concerned when he learned of Assyria’s threat against Jerusalem. He was right not to minimize this danger. Neither should we minimize the dangers that are too big for us to handle in our own strength. He described it as a woman in labor who is too weak to give birth—a life-endangering and painful situation. He started to formulate a possible way out, though: “Perhaps the Lord your God will hear all the words of Rabshakeh, whom his master the king of Assyria has sent to taunt the living God, and will avenge the words which the Lord your God has heard” (vs. 4). His servants sought Isaiah for help. Seeking the support of a person of God is a wise move when faced with terror. Isaiah was able to give them a word from the Lord. For those of us who might be approached for help, we cannot do better than directing seekers to God’s word for His guidance. Isaiah prophesied that the king of Assyria would depart and die of His own land.
The Assyrian’s did not have the advantage this word. Unbelievers don’t avail themselves of God’s word. We put ourselves in this same wisdom deficit when we don’t stay in God’s Word. Assyria ignorantly communicated to Hezekiah by letter that, since they had defeated the gods of other countries, they would do the same to their God. Hezekiah then did a beautifully poignant act. He spread out the letter from Assyria before the Lord and prayed for salvation for Jerusalem so that all the nations would know that their Lord is the only God. Perhaps des- perate situations such as Hezekiah’s draw us toward God more than times of ease.
Verse 20 is amazing. God said that because Hezekiah so prayed, God heard and replied to this Assyrian letter in a specific way. God said the king of Assyria was taunting the Lord God. They boasted in their own strength, implying they would easily defeat Jerusalem. They had no idea what God had in mind for Assyria and God was now ready to bring to pass. King Sennacherib would not defeat Jerusalem but go back to where he came. Guess how accurate God was.
Isaiah then explained that God would give Jerusalem a sign. For two years they would eat from the fields based on what they had already planted. Then in the third year they could safely resume their planting. God will save the city for His sake and for David’s sake. It is interesting that God would still honor David in this way but remember what 2 Kings 18: 3 said about Hezekiah: “He did what was right in the sight of the Lord, in accordance with everything that hisfather David had done.” Wouldn’t it be quite a legacy if our children followed our examples and God blessed them partly for our sakes. Thus, that very night, the Angel of the Lord struck dead 185,000 Assyrians. Sennacherib the king of Assyria went back to Nineveh where he was killed while worshiping his false god. Hopefully we won’t die in the act of worshiping an idol.
READINGS FOR APRIL 7, 2026: CONTINUED 1 CORINTHIANS 3, PSALM 28:6-9 1 CORINTHIANS 3 This chapter begins with criticism of the people in the Corinth church. Paul uses the image of feeding an infant to assess their spiritual growth. Even though Paul and others had spent consider- able time teaching them about the Christian faith, they were still being fed milk and not solid food. The growth in faith was not maturing. The conflicts in the church were a sign of their spiritual immaturity. As Christians, it is an individual’s responsibility to grow in faith. Teachers can assist them. Books can help them understand. But maturity in faith rests squarely in the heart of the individual. The next image Paul uses is to try and diffuse the conflict in the church. The people had chosen sides and were supporting the teachings of Paul, or Cephas (Peter), or Apollos. Paul uses the imagery of gardening (farming) to show the people of Corinth that their arguments are not valid. One teacher planted the seed and another one watered it. The teachers were only doing their part. It was God who “has been making it grow” (verse 6). The work of the gardener is important. But it pales in comparison to what God does in the life of a Christian.
We often use this passage to encourage each other to work for the reign of Christ and leave the growing to God. This is not wrong, but the original use was to show the people of Corinth that the argument they were making was based upon a wrong assumption. To further his point, Paul then uses the image of constructing a building. To our modern understanding, this should make sense. In building a home, a specialized crew does each stage of construction. There are masons for the foundation, framers for the walls, roofers, electricians, plumbers, drywallers, painters, etc. Each one has a unique job that when you add them all together you get a home.
God uses each teacher in your life to help you to construct your faith. It is the Holy Spirit that is responsible for the finished product. But, each craftsperson (teacher), whether official or unofficial played a part in the Christian that you become. And while these faithful Christians played a part in your spiritual formation, the result is the work that the Holy Spirit has done in you. It is the work that you have done with the assistance of others through the Holy Spirit that allows you to move from baby’s milk to baby food, to the full menu of spiritual nourishment as you mature in the faith.
PSALM 28:6-9 The psalm ends in praise to God. David accepts the fact that God has heard his cry in need. David’ heart leaps for joy as he sings praise. David uses the idea of a shield to talk about God’s protection. In ancient times, the shield was the first line of defense for a soldier in battle. It was used to defend from attacks from arrows, spears, and swords. If it were wooden, it could be wrapped in leather and soaked in water to repel the flaming arrows of the long bow. If it were metal, it would be almost impenetrable. The last verse lifts God’s two primary acts by which he effects people’s well-being. God saves and blesses the people who call on God. David uses two images in this last verse. The first is from Deuteronomy 9:29: “But they are your people, your inheritance that you brought out by your great power and your outstretched arm.” The people of Israel are God’s Chosen People. It is through God’s relationship with the Chosen People that the rest of the world will see the attributes of God. When God saves them from their enemies or when God blesses them with goodness. The second image is God as Shepherd. The shepherd protects as he cares for the sheep. The shepherd carries the sheep when they are injured. God care for his people forever.
