What does 2 Chronicles 32:11 mean?
"Doth not Hezekiah persuade you to give over yourselves to die by famine and by thirst, saying, The LORD our God shall deliver us out of the hand of the king of Assyria?" - 2 Chronicles 32:11
2 Chronicles 32:11 (KJV): "Doth not Hezekiah persuade you to give over yourselves to die by famine and by thirst, saying, The Lord our God shall deliver us out of the hand of the king of Assyria?"
This verse is part of the historical account of the reign of King Hezekiah of Judah, as recorded in the Second Book of Chronicles. In this particular passage, Hezekiah is trying to rally his people against the impending siege by the Assyrian army. He urges them to trust in the Lord for deliverance instead of giving in to fear and despair.
The context of this verse is one of intense political and military tension. The Assyrian army, led by King Sennacherib, had already conquered many surrounding nations and had now set their sights on Judah. Sennacherib had sent his commander with a great army to Jerusalem, demanding the surrender of the city and its people. Hezekiah had taken steps to fortify the city and its defenses, but the odds were still overwhelmingly against him. In this dire situation, Hezekiah turned to the Lord for help and encouraged his people to do the same.
The theme of this verse is one of faith and trust in God in the face of overwhelming odds. Hezekiah's words to his people reflect his steadfast belief in the power of God to deliver them from their enemies. Despite the imminent threat of siege and starvation, Hezekiah remained confident in the Lord's ability to save them. His message was one of hope and encouragement, even in the midst of seemingly insurmountable challenges.
The symbolism in this verse lies in the contrast between human strength and divine intervention. The Assyrian army represented the pinnacle of military might and human power in the ancient world. Their conquests had struck fear into the hearts of many nations, and their siege of Jerusalem seemed like an unstoppable force. In contrast, Hezekiah's reliance on the Lord symbolized a belief in the supremacy of divine power over human strength. The verse serves as a reminder that, no matter how powerful our adversaries may seem, ultimately it is God who has the final say in the affairs of humanity.
The broader message of this passage is one that resonates throughout the Bible: the importance of trusting in God's faithfulness and deliverance in times of trouble. Hezekiah's plea to his people serves as a call to faith and perseverance, even in the face of overwhelming adversity. It is a reminder that, when we are confronted with seemingly insurmountable challenges, we can find strength and hope in the power of God.
In conclusion, 2 Chronicles 32:11 captures a pivotal moment in the history of Judah, as King Hezekiah faced the threat of invasion from the mighty Assyrian army. His words to his people reflect his unwavering faith in the Lord's ability to deliver them from their enemies. This verse serves as an inspiration to all believers to trust in God's faithfulness and deliverance, even in the face of overwhelming odds. The themes of faith, trust, and divine intervention, as well as the symbolism of the contrast between human strength and divine power, make this verse a powerful and enduring message of hope and encouragement.
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2 Chronicles 32:11 - "Doth not Hezekiah persuade you to give over yourselves to die by famine and by thirst, saying, The LORD our God shall deliver us out of the hand of the king of Assyria?"
"Doth not Hezekiah persuade you to give over yourselves to die by famine and by thirst, saying, The LORD our God shall deliver us out of the hand of the king of Assyria?" - 2 Chronicles 32:11
1 Chronicles 11:32 - "Hurai of the brooks of Gaash, Abiel the Arbathite,"
2 Chronicles 32:2 - "And when Hezekiah saw that Sennacherib was come, and that he was purposed to fight against Jerusalem,"
"Hurai of the brooks of Gaash, Abiel the Arbathite," - 1 Chronicles 11:32
2 Chronicles 32:32 - "Now the rest of the acts of Hezekiah, and his goodness, behold, they are written in the vision of Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, and in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel."
2 Chronicles 32:20 - "And for this cause Hezekiah the king, and the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz, prayed and cried to heaven."
1 Chronicles 2:32 - "And the sons of Jada the brother of Shammai; Jether, and Jonathan: and Jether died without children."
2 Chronicles 32:16 - "And his servants spake yet more against the LORD God, and against his servant Hezekiah."
2 Chronicles 32:28 - "Storehouses also for the increase of corn, and wine, and oil; and stalls for all manner of beasts, and cotes for flocks."
2 Chronicles 20:32 - "And he walked in the way of Asa his father, and departed not from it, doing that which was right in the sight of the LORD."
2 Chronicles 32:10 - "Thus saith Sennacherib king of Assyria, Whereon do ye trust, that ye abide in the siege in Jerusalem?"
2 Chronicles 32:19 - "And they spake against the God of Jerusalem, as against the gods of the people of the earth, which were the work of the hands of man."
2 Chronicles 11:20
2 Chronicles 35:11
2 Chronicles 11:2 - "But the word of the LORD came to Shemaiah the man of God, saying,"
2 Chronicles 18:32 - "For it came to pass, that, when the captains of the chariots perceived that it was not the king of Israel, they turned back again from pursuing him."
2 Chronicles 11:9 - "And Adoraim, and Lachish, and Azekah,"
2 Chronicles 11:8 - "And Gath, and Mareshah, and Ziph,"
2 Chronicles 32:7 - "Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him: for there be more with us than with him:"
2 Corinthians 11:32 - "In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king kept the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desirous to apprehend me:"
2 Chronicles 11:7 - "And Beth-zur, and Shoco, and Adullam,"
2 Chronicles 11:11 - "And he fortified the strong holds, and put captains in them, and store of victual, and of oil and wine."
2 Chronicles 34:32 - "And he caused all that were present in Jerusalem and Benjamin to stand to it. And the inhabitants of Jerusalem did according to the covenant of God, the God of their fathers."
2 Chronicles 32:29 - "Moreover he provided him cities, and possessions of flocks and herds in abundance: for God had given him substance very much."
2 Chronicles 32:24 - "¶ In those days Hezekiah was sick to the death, and prayed unto the LORD: and he spake unto him, and he gave him a sign."
2 Chronicles 32:6 - "And he set captains of war over the people, and gathered them together to him in the street of the gate of the city, and spake comfortably to them, saying,"
1 Chronicles 2:11 - "And Nahshon begat Salma, and Salma begat Boaz,"
2 Chronicles 32:18 - "Then they cried with a loud voice in the Jews' speech unto the people of Jerusalem that were on the wall, to affright them, and to trouble them; that they might take the city."
2 Chronicles 32:3 - "He took counsel with his princes and his mighty men to stop the waters of the fountains which were without the city: and they did help him."