While we rightfully cherish Jesus for his tender compassion, there is another side to him that we see in 2 Kings 18-19, where we witness a powerful demonstration of divine judgment.

In 722 BC, Sennacherib, king of Assyria — the superpower of that era — conquered the Northern Kingdom of Israel.

Later, in Hezekiah’s 14th year as Judah’s king, Sennacherib turned his attention to the Southern Kingdom, besieging Jerusalem and Lachish.

Despite Hezekiah’s attempt to appease Sennacherib with an enormous tribute — 300 talents of silver (22,500 pounds) and 30 talents of gold (2,250 pounds) — the Assyrian king pressed forward, sending his officials, including the Rabshakeh, to intimidate Jerusalem.

The Rabshakeh’s taunts were blasphemous, claiming that Yahweh was powerless compared to other gods:

“As other nations’ gods could not protect them, neither can your God protect you.”

He mockingly offered horses if Hezekiah could provide riders, knowing Israel lacked cavalry training.

In this crisis, Hezekiah sought the Lord in the temple. Through Isaiah, God promised deliverance: He would send the Assyrians home and make them “fall by their own sword.”

That night, the Angel of the LORD — a Christophany, a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus
Himself — struck down 185,000 Assyrian soldiers.

Later, Sennacherib was murdered by his own sons while worshiping his false god.

This account reveals Christ as both Savior and Judge.

The same Lord who tenderly forgives sinners also righteously confronts evil.

He defended His people then by destroying their enemies, just as He has rescued us from sin, death, and Satan through His cross and resurrection.

The powers of man inevitably fail, but God’s kingdom stands eternal.

Thanks be to God for our compassionate yet just King!

Steve Andrews Jr is pastor of St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Lee’s Summit, MO.

#higherthings #lcms #lutheran #jesus

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