2 Kings 18:3-7, 19-20 (AMP)
Hezekiah did right in the sight of the Lord, according to all that David his [forefather] had done. He removed the high places, broke the images, cut down the Asherim, and broke in pieces the bronze serpent that Moses had made, for until then the Israelites had burned incense to it; but he called it Nehushtan [a bronze trifle].
Hezekiah trusted in, leaned on, and was confident in the Lord, the God of Israel; so that neither after him nor before him was any one of all the kings of Judah like him. For he clung and held fast to the Lord and ceased not to follow Him, but kept His commandments, as the Lord commanded Moses. And the Lord was with Hezekiah; he prospered wherever he went.
And he rebelled against the king of Assyria and refused to serve him.
When they called for the king, there came out to them Eliakim son of Hilkiah, who was over the king’s household, and Shebna the scribe, and Joah son of Asaph the recorder. The Rabshakeh told them, say to Hezekiah, thus says the great king of Assyria: What justifies this confidence of yours? You say—but they are empty words—There is counsel and strength for war. Now on whom do you rely, that you rebel against me?
- Hezekiah removed the high places and destroyed the strongholds.
- Hezekiah trusted in the Lord and clung to Him and held fast to Him.
- Hezekiah rebelled against the king of Assyria and refused to serve him.
He was challenged by the enemy, “what justifies this confidence of yours? On whom do you rely that you rebel against me?”
This reminds me of James 4:7 which says to submit to God and resist the devil.
Before resisting the enemy, Hezekiah first trusted in the Lord.
James 4:7 – So be subject to God. Resist the devil [stand firm against him], and he will flee from you.
I tear down the old strongholds that I used to trust in. I trust in the Lord and put my confidence in Him. I cling to Him and hold fast to Him and cease not to follow Him. From this place I rebel against the enemy and refuse to serve him
I am subject to God. Then I resist the devil and he flees. So, when the enemy comes and says, “what justifies this confidence of yours, on whom do you rely that you rebel against me”? I can just lean back and laugh – and enjoy my victory.
