And Isaiah the son of Amos sent to Ezechias, saying: Thus saith the Lord the God of Israel: For the prayer thou hast made to me concerning Sennacherib the king of the Assyrians:
וַיִּשְׁלַח֙ יְשַֽׁעְיָ֣הוּ בֶן־אָמ֔וֹץ אֶל־חִזְקִיָּ֖הוּ לֵאמֹ֑ר כֹּֽה־אָמַ֤ר יְהוָה֙ אֱלֹהֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל אֲשֶׁר֙ הִתְפַּלַּ֣לְתָּ אֵלַ֔י אֶל־סַנְחֵרִ֖יב מֶ֥לֶךְ אַשּֽׁוּר׃
4 Church Fathers comment on this verse
He does not claim that he heard the king for your benefit, but rather for the purpose of the prayer you have offered. It is only after we engage in prayer that we witness the blessings bestowed upon us. Yet, could not God grant salvation without our prayers? However, in that case, the redeemed individual would lack the preparation of righteousness or wisdom.
The one who delivers is always close at hand, and the fulfillment of requests seems to follow closely behind prayer. A prophet has been sent forth, one who had previously remained silent regarding the foreign oppressor and had not declared God's judgment against him. Thus says the Lord God of Israel.
This will strengthen the faithful, affirming that he was not commissioned by any false deities; rather, to instill courage, he appeals to the Lord and God of Israel, as if to commend and validate Him, declaring, "I have heard the prayers offered to Me concerning Sennacherib, king of Assyria." It is as if He is saying: I recognize your fervor; I perceive your devotion toward Me, and your distress over the blasphemies against Me cannot be overlooked; you approached with tears, bearing a grief for Me, and you have made the insult rendered to Me your own sorrow. Therefore, the fervor of the saints deserves utmost commendation, and when they mourn the dishonor inflicted upon the Glory of God, it brings Him great pleasure.
After Hezekiah's fervent prayer to the Lord, he chose not to send envoys to Isaiah as he had done previously, nor did the prophet visit him. Instead, Isaiah dispatched messengers with the divine message: ‘This is the judgment of the Lord concerning Sennacherib, regarding your inquiry: The virgin daughter of Zion and Jerusalem (thus referred to as virgin and daughter because, while others revered the idols of the deceased, she alone upholds the sanctity of true religion and devotion to the one God) has ridiculed you and held you in contempt, not responding to you directly, lest she provoke you to further blasphemy. She turned away from you with disdain, assured of retribution and certain of your punishment.
She declared, Not before me, but before the Lord, do you exhibit pride, not by your own strength, but through your servants, which magnifies the exaltation of the one who speaks against God. For you have boasted that with the multitude of your chariots, you will ascend to the heights of the mountains and to the heart of Lebanon, cutting down its lofty cedars and cypresses.’
By referring to Lebanon, it is understood, either metaphorically, to represent all nations and their leaders, or specifically Jerusalem, as its cedars and cypresses symbolize all that is strong and noble, including the very peak and the forest of Carmel that pertain to the temple. He previously stated: For you have heard what the kings of Assyria did to all the lands, bringing them to submission (2 Kings 19:11). Therefore, neither can you expect salvation. He further remarked: I have dug and consumed foreign water, and I will tread upon the rivers of Egypt (1 Samuel 19:24), which can be interpreted historically, illustrating how, due to the vastness of his army, he depleted the water sources, necessitating the digging of wells. Figuratively, it signifies that he laid waste to all nations, which are sometimes likened to water, with his military force. In contrast, the Septuagint translates it as: And I constructed a bridge and drained the waters and every collection of waters, denoting that no nation would resist him, but he would trample over all the waters of the nations.
The wicked Assyrians incite conflict against the righteous King Hezekiah, jeopardizing his realm and threatening his capital. Yet, this occurs after the Prophet Isaiah had already chastised Jerusalem and Judah for their transgressions, delivering a message from God: “If you ... thou wilt not want to obey me, but the sword shall come upon you” (Isaiah 1:20). Can you not observe the reality of God's Providence here? The devout Hezekiah finds refuge from his adversaries, and through his faith, both his city and his people receive mercy. Do you not recognize the truth and benevolence of Providence?
The foes were not confronted by the visible instruments of humanity, but by the unseen forces of God's angel, ensuring that Israel would not take pride in their own strength, but instead offer humble gratitude to their divine protector; this served as a powerful testimony of the true God of Israel to the Gentiles. Do you not see the wisdom inherent in Providence?
Passages read together with this verse.
THEOSIS