Introduction: Initially God speaks to Sennacherib the enemy who had conquered and destroyed Israel! (v1): This is followed by. a prayer by the people of Israel, the prayer results presumably because they have realized that they have made wrong decisions in not following Jehovah and so they plead with God for help. (v2): ‘The tumultuous noise’ is presumably God acting, scattering the invaders and and leaving spoil for the Israelis to gather, weak as they are – caterpillars or locusts! (v3-4): Next there is a look into the future as God’s people see what God is about to make happen. (v5-6): But, living in the present, there is a glimpse into what the ‘now’ is like for the Jews! (v 7-9): God takes action (v10): And finally, there is a burning, scathing summary of what Sennacherib has planned and carried out! (11-12).
1 Ah, you destroyer,
who yourself have not been destroyed,
you traitor,
whom none has betrayed!
When you have ceased to destroy,
you will be destroyed;
and when you have finished betraying,
they will betray you. – God gives a warning to the victorious enemy.
2 O LORD, be gracious to us; we wait for you.
Be our arm every morning,
our salvation in the time of trouble. – A prayer from the oppressed!
3 At the tumultuous noise peoples flee;
when you lift yourself up, nations are scattered,
4 and your spoil is gathered as the caterpillar gathers;
as locusts leap, it is leapt upon. – the absolute destruction of Israel by Sennacherib’s forces!
5 The LORD is exalted, for he dwells on high;
he will fill Zion with justice and righteousness,
6 and he will be the stability of your times,
abundance of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge;
the fear of the LORD is Zion’s treasure. – A bright future promised the people of God.
7 Behold, their heroes cry in the streets;
the envoys of peace weep bitterly.
8 The highways lie waste;
the traveler ceases.
Covenants are broken;
cities are despised;
there is no regard for man.
9 The land mourns and languishes;
Lebanon is confounded and withers away;
Sharon is like a desert,
and Bashan and Carmel shake off their leaves. – A lament because the position seems hopeless for Israel and some of the neighbouring countries – Lebanon for one!
10 “Now I will arise,” says the LORD,
“now I will lift myself up;
now I will be exalted.
11 You conceive chaff; you give birth to stubble;
your breath is a fire that will consume you.
12 And the peoples will be as if burned to lime,
like thorns cut down, that are burned in the fire.”
Proverbs 21: 7 – The violence of the wicked will sweep them away,
because they refuse to do what is just.
Prayer: Please let our leaders seek truth and not evil ways! Please!
As I read it! 