DAY 259 -BIG PICTURE IN A YEAR - THE UNITED MONARCHY

Reading: 2 Kings 18:1-8, 28-37; 19:1-7, 32-37 

So much for the Northern Kingdom. Meanwhile, what was going on in the South? King Hezekiah represents a ray of hope for Judah. He served the LORD and destroyed the idols the Israelites were worshipping. The LORD was with him and enabled him to subdue the Philistines. 

But then, he rebelled against the Assyrians and the Assyrians came and surrounded Jerusalem. To his credit King Hezekiah turned to the LORD when the army of 185000+ Assyrians surrounded Jerusalem. The Jews were no match for that kind of army and deliverance required an act of God! The arrogance of the Rabshakeh against the LORD, together with the mediation of King Hezekiah, caused the LORD to act on His people's behalf. The Angel of the LORD is seen by many as the Preincarnate Lord Jesus acting to defend His people. The writer of 2 Kings notes that the LORD also acted to deliver Jerusalem for His own sake and for the sake of David. The Promise made to David would stand because the LORD guaranteed His Promise. David's descendant, the Lord Jesus still needed to be born from the line of David. The line of David would have to remain secure til Christ came. 

Prayer

Dear Father
We look back at King Hezekiah with great admiration, for he served You faithfully and You were with Him. We look back at the Angel of the LORD with joy mixed with fear. If You are for us, who can be against us! 

For the family 

Over the next few days, watch this video about 

The Exile 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSua9_WhQFE&feature=youtu.be 

Stop and discuss the theme together as a family.