A SECOND LOOK AT JACOB’S DREAM!

I have written about angels before. I’ve been mildly fascinated by the role they have played in scripture from the very beginning.  It’s clear that they were already in existence when God created the world because after Adam and Eve were expelled from the Garden of Eden, God drove the man out; and at the east of the garden of Eden He stationed the cherubim and the flaming sword which turned every direction to guard the way to the tree of life [Genesis 3:24 NASB].

Since childhood I wondered about this:

·         Why just the east side?

·         How is one angel going to guard an entire garden?

·         Where is the garden of Eden today?

Sorry! I still can’t answer all of the questions about this passage, but I can help a little.

The word used in the Hebrew language is transliterated ‘kerubim’ [ כְּרוּבִים], and it is the plural form of the word ‘kerub’. So, for our understanding: God appointed many angelic beings to guard the garden’s eastern side. It is possible that the western side didn’t have to be guarded since it was likely bordered by the Mediterranean Sea.

But that’s not why I decided to start writing about angels. 🤭

They make many appearances throughout scripture and all of them deserve to be consulted for a full understanding. But that’s not my purpose today, either.  🤭

So, what are we going to look at today, Hal?

Good question! 

I was fascinated today while reading the II Chronicles account of Hezekiah’s kingship over Judah [the southern kingdom]. He was a good king!

He reopened The Temple of God, had it thoroughly cleaned out of obscene and evil items and then reopened it for worship. He renewed the worship of God and the observation of Passover – which no one living could remember celebrating!!!! 

God was pleased with Hezekiah.

However, sometime later, the king of Assyria – Sennacherib – decided to attack Judah!

By the way, the more observant readers may wonder if his name included the Hebrew word kerub. It did not! His name is a given name in the Assyrian language, and it means: ‘sin multiplied brothers’.

Sennacherib was arrogant, mean-spirited and bullyish! He mocked Hezekiah and sent his men daily to harass the people of Jerusalem by standing at the wall and hurling threats and insults at them. 

Hezekiah rallied the people, saying, “Be strong! Take courage! Don’t be intimidated by the king of Assyria and his troops—there are more on our side than on their side. He only has a bunch of mere men; we have our God to help us and fight for us!” [II Chronicles 32:7-8™ All references from The Message Bible unless otherwise noted.]

Sennacherib also mocked Yahweh! 

Do you have any idea what I and my ancestors have done to all the countries around here? Has there been a single god anywhere strong enough to stand up against me? Can you name one god among all the nations that either I or my ancestors have ravaged that so much as lifted a finger against me? So what makes you think you’ll make out any better with your god? Don’t let Hezekiah fool you; don’t let him get by with his barefaced lies; don’t trust him. No god of any country or kingdom ever has been one bit of help against me or my ancestors—what kind of odds does that give your god?” [vs.13-15]

King Hezekiah responded to this and Sennacherib’s other threats:

 King Hezekiah, joined by the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz, responded by praying, calling up to heaven [v.20].

Hezekiah decided not to talk to Sennacherib, but rather, to talk to God!

Do you know ‘the rest of the story’?

God answered by sending an angel who wiped out everyone in the Assyrian camp, both warriors and officers. Sennacherib was forced to return home in disgrace, tail between his legs. When he went into the temple of his god, his own sons killed him.

Notice that God sent “an angel”.  It only took one angel to defeat ALL of Sennacherib’s army!  One angel! 

This is what triggered my thoughts to write today.  I was reminded of reading [back in the winter] about Jacob’s dream in Genesis 28:10-12 [NASB]:

Then Jacob departed from Beersheba and went toward Haran. He came to a certain place and spent the night there, because the sun had set; and he took one of the stones of the place and put it under his head, and lay down in that place. He had a dream, and behold, a ladder was set on the earth with its top reaching to heaven; and behold, the angels of God were ascending and descending on it.

For the first time, I saw those final words – and they impacted me! 

Jacob saw a vision of the entrance from earth to Heaven and he observed angels ASCENDING AND DESCENDING!!!!

It occurred to me that this was just a common night while Jacob was sleeping. Yet there was traffic on that ladder [or stairway].  Could this be a glimpse of the constant response by God to the prayers of His people on earth!

We pray.  God listens.  God responds by sending His angels to assist us in whatever situation we find ourselves in!

If nothing else, it’s an interesting way to view this passage from God’s Word. 

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AN AFTERTHOUGHT:

If you’d like to read of the night that I spoke with my guardian angel, follow this link:

Hal-lelujah!: HAVE YOU EVER TALKED WITH AN ANGEL?

EVERYTHING RISES AND FALLS ON LEADERSHIP

I’ve been known to ask the congregation to turn to the book of Hezekiah.  It’s fun to watch them try to find a book that doesn’t exist.  I know – dirty trick.

However, there was a king of Israel by that name.  The story of his reign can be told in several short vignettes.

BIG TROUBLE

Sennacherub, king of Assyria, brought a mighty army and set siege against Jerusalem.  This struck fear into the hearts of all the people;  they knew they were going to be crushed.  In a meeting between the leaders (that took place near the city wall), the Assyrians spoke loudly enough (in Hebrew) for the people to hear them.  They were extremely intimidating.  They assured the people that there was no way possible for them to survive.  They tried to convince them to surrender, promising that they would be set free to roam in the wilderness. 

The Assyrian messenger gives a VERY INTIMIDATING warning for them to just surrender:

· You’re weak – “You’re no match for my weapons.”
· Don’t lean on Egypt – they’re weak!
· Don’t pull the ‘We’re leaning on GOD’ card.
        >  Hezekiah just closed all of the places of worship.
        >  Besides, “It was your GOD who told me, Make war on this land. Destroy it.”

As a final threat he told them that if they resisted, they would soon be eating their own excrement and drinking their own urine! 

When the summit ended and the report was brought to Hezekiah, he put on sack cloth and ashes and went to prayer.  Then he encouraged all the people to do the same. 

As a result, Isaiah the prophet came to the king with the following message:

“God’s Message:  Don’t be upset by what you’ve heard, all those words the servants of the Assyrian king have used to mock me.  I personally will take care of him.  I’ll arrange it so that he’ll get a rumor of bad news back home and rush there to take care of it.  And he’ll die there.  Killed – a violent death.”

That’s exactly what happened – and Jerusalem was delivered!

UH OH!

Sometime later, Hezekiah got sick.  God sent Isaiah to him and told him to get his house in order because he was going to die.  Hezekiah prayed:

“God, please, I beg you: Remember how I’ve lived my life. I’ve lived faithfully in your presence, lived out of a heart that was totally yours. You’ve seen how I’ve lived, the good that I have done.” And Hezekiah wept as he prayed—painful tears.

God sent Isaiah back to tell Hezekiah that He heard his prayer and saw his tears and that he would live for another fifteen years.

FOOLISH DECISIONS!

A little later, the King of Babylon sent an envoy to visit Hezekiah and present him with gifts, having heard that he’d been sick.  Hezekiah proudly gave them the royal tour, showing them all his treasures, silver, gold, spices, expensive oils and all his weapons. 

After hearing of this, the prophet Isaiah pronounced: 

…the time is coming when everything in this palace, along with everything your ancestors accumulated before you, will be hauled off to Babylon. God says that there will be nothing left. Nothing. And not only your things but your sons. Some of your sons will be taken into exile, ending up as eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.”

Hezekiah replied to Isaiah, “Good. If God says so, it’s good.” Within himself he was thinking, “But surely nothing bad will happen in my lifetime. I’ll enjoy peace and stability as long as I live.”

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How could a man be so wise in one situation and so foolish in another? 

God had given Hezekiah a great gift of grace by causing the Assyrian army to suddenly leave and abandon their attempt to overthrow Jerusalem.

Then, God gave Hezekiah another great grace gift by promising to extend his life for another fifteen years! 

On the heels of this, Hezekiah reveals the wealth and pride of Jerusalem to the visitors from Babylon!

If that wasn’t enough, he shows complete nonchalance by comforting himself that at least during his lifetime he would rule in peace.  No concern at all is expressed for his sons and the future of his kingdom! 

There are special lessons here for leaders, but there are also lessons for all of us.

      1.      God responds to our prayers (and fasting).

2.      When He does, it is appropriate to express heartfelt gratitude!

3.      All of us should seek and depend on wisdom from God;  however, it’s all the more important for leaders to do so!

4.      Finishing well is vital!  Hezekiah started good, but finished poorly.  He allowed himself to become self-focused.  He quit caring about his family and his nation.  His life does not have a happy ending.

WHO CARES - AS LONG AS I'M OK

I've just finished reading Isaiah 36-39.  King Hezekiah was a good ruler.  He listened to God and honored the prophet of God.  He prayed privately and in public.  He worshiped regularly.  He put his trust in God and led the people to do so as well. 

He lived in a tough time.  The Assyrian king, Sennacherib, came against Jerusalem with a massive army.  Sennacherib was a bully who had conquered many other nations and expected to easily roll over Jerusalem.  However, King Hezekiah called on God to deliver him and his people.  God sent a angel through the Assyrian army and killed 185,000 soldiers.  Sennacherib packed up and left!

Around this time, Hezekiah became very sick.  Isaiah, the prophet, visited him and told him:  (38:1  LB)

"Set your affairs in order, for you are going to die;  you will not recover from this illness."

As Isaiah left, Hezekiah prayed:  (v.3)

"O Lord, don't You remember how true I've been to You and how I've always tried to obey You in everything You said?" 

God heard Hezekiah's prayer and immediately sent Isaiah back in to tell him that he would live for another fifteen years. 

Soon after this the King of Babylon sent ambassadors to visit Jerusalem and Hezekiah.  Hezekiah foolishly showed them all of his riches. 

Isaiah came to visit again and told him that because of his unwise actions all of this wealth would eventually be carried off to Babylon - including his own sons. 

Hezekiah's response is the low-point of his life:  (v.8)

"All right.  Whatever the Lord says is good.  At least there will be peace during my lifetime!"

Those are his last recorded words in the Bible!

At this stage of the game, Hezekiah had quit caring about others - even his own family.  Instead of repenting, he acquiesced.  Instead of calling on God for forgiveness - he caved. 

Finishing well is SO IMPORTANT!!!  Don't give up!  Stay faithful!  Be quick to repent!  Keep caring!  God has done great things in your life - AND HE'S NOT DONE YET!!!!!!