Deliverance Comes

That very night deliverance came. “The angel of the Lord went out, and killed in the camp of the Assyrians one hundred and eighty-five thousand.” Verse 35. “Every mighty man of valor, leader, and captain in the camp of the king of Assyria” was killed. 2 Chronicles 32:21.RR 130.4

News of this terrible judgment on the army that had gone to take Jerusalem soon reached Sennacherib, who was still guarding the approach to Judea from Egypt. Stricken with fear, the Assyrian king left quickly and “returned shamefaced to his own land.” Verse 21. But he did not have long to reign. In harmony with the prophecy concerning his sudden end, he was assassinated by those of his own home. “Then Esarhaddon his son reigned in his place.” Isaiah 37:38.RR 130.5

The God of the Hebrews had prevailed. His honor was vindicated in the eyes of the surrounding nations. In Jerusalem the people were filled with holy joy. Their pleas for deliverance had mingled with confession of sin and with many tears. They had trusted wholly in the power of God to save, and He had not failed them. The temple courts resounded with songs of solemn praise.RR 130.6

The stouthearted were plundered;
They have sunk into their sleep; And none of the mighty men have found the use of their hands.
At Your rebuke, O God of Jacob,
Both the chariot and horse were cast into a dead sleep.
You, Yourself, are to be feared;
And who may stand in Your presence
When once You are angry? ...
Make vows to the Lord your God, and pay them;
Let all who are around Him bring presents to Him who ought to be feared.
He shall cut off the spirit of princes;
He is awesome to the kings of the earth. Psalm 76:5-12RR 130.7