Here’s how the study works: Read the chapters mentioned in the heading during the week and share any words, thoughts, verses that stood out to you. Having a week for several chapters creates the opportunity to revisit them and make additional comments as you feel inclined as well as make comments on other people’s insights.
36:18-20 Have the gods of any nations ever delivered their lands from the hand of the king of Assyria? Where are the gods of Hamath and Arpad? Where are the gods of Sepharvaim? Have they rescued Samaria from my hand? Who of all the gods of these countries have been able to save their lands from me? How then can the Lord deliver Jerusalem from my hand?”
The common phrase of Psalms is "there is none like you" but here the Assyrians are saying, The Lord is just like other gods. It is where he made his big mistake. Probably he thought because he had taken Samaria, that he could also take Jerusalem but he didn't realize that the Lord had given Samaria into his hand because of their idolatry.
36:18-20 Have the gods of any nations ever delivered their lands from the hand of the king of Assyria? Where are the gods of Hamath and Arpad? Where are the gods of Sepharvaim? Have they rescued Samaria from my hand? Who of all the gods of these countries have been able to save their lands from me? How then can the Lord deliver Jerusalem from my hand?”
The common phrase of Psalms is "there is none like you" but here the Assyrians are saying, The Lord is just like other gods. It is where he made his big mistake. Probably he thought because he had taken Samaria, that he could also take Jerusalem but he didn't realize that the Lord had given Samaria into his hand because of their idolatry.
37:3 They told him, "This is what Hezekiah says: This day is a day of distress and rebuke and disgrace, as when children come to the moment of birth and there is no strength to deliver them."
(From Constable's Commentary) "This kind of admission of helplessness (no strength) is frequently a necessity before divine help can be received. So long as we believe that we only need some assistance, we are still treating ourselves as lord of the situation and that latent pride cuts us off from all God would give us" (Oswalt).
37:3 They told him, "This is what Hezekiah says: This day is a day of distress and rebuke and disgrace, as when children come to the moment of birth and there is no strength to deliver them."
(From Constable's Commentary) "This kind of admission of helplessness (no strength) is frequently a necessity before divine help can be received. So long as we believe that we only need some assistance, we are still treating ourselves as lord of the situation and that latent pride cuts us off from all God would give us" (Oswalt).
38:15 But what can I say? He has spoken to me, and he himself has done this. I will walk humbly all my years because of this anguish of my soul.
38:17 Surely it was for my benefit that I suffered such anguish. In your love you kept me from the pit of destruction; you have put all my sins behind your back.
Hezekiah believed the anguish he suffered was for his benefit to teach him to walk humbly with God. Not sure this happened (see Ch. 39), nevertheless he saw purpose and benefit in his anguish.
38:15 But what can I say? He has spoken to me, and he himself has done this. I will walk humbly all my years because of this anguish of my soul.
38:17 Surely it was for my benefit that I suffered such anguish. In your love you kept me from the pit of destruction; you have put all my sins behind your back.
Hezekiah believed the anguish he suffered was for his benefit to teach him to walk humbly with God. Not sure this happened (see Ch. 39), nevertheless he saw purpose and benefit in his anguish.
39:8 “The word of the Lord you have spoken is good,” Hezekiah replied. For he thought, “There will be peace and security in my lifetime.”
Hezekiah doesn't weep and mourn as he has done previously when he received bad news (37:1, 38:3). His lack of concern is surprising and extremely disappointing. He didn't have a heart for them, not like David did.
39:8 “The word of the Lord you have spoken is good,” Hezekiah replied. For he thought, “There will be peace and security in my lifetime.”
Hezekiah doesn't weep and mourn as he has done previously when he received bad news (37:1, 38:3). His lack of concern is surprising and extremely disappointing. He didn't have a heart for them, not like David did.
40:29-31 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
(From Constable's Commentary) "Those who wait for the Lord implies two things: complete dependence on God and a willingness to allow him to decide the terms.
…exceptional flying…occasional running do not require, as does the constant walking, an ever-flowing stream of grace."
40:29-31 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
(From Constable's Commentary) "Those who wait for the Lord implies two things: complete dependence on God and a willingness to allow him to decide the terms.
…exceptional flying…occasional running do not require, as does the constant walking, an ever-flowing stream of grace."