2 Chronicles 32:9-23 - Homilies By W. Clarkson

Sennacherib and Hezekiah: abasement and exaltation.

We have here brought out in very vivid contrast—

I. THE HISTORY OF THE HAUGHTY .

1 . Appearances are all on its side. It has apparently overwhelming numbers, superior military training and equipments, the prestige of previous success and acknowledged worldly power.

2 . It is honeycombed with spiritual evil. It is

(3) pride, and its accompanying vain-gloriousness ( 2 Chronicles 32:13-15 );

3 . It draws down upon itself the decisive displeasure of the Divine Ruler. For the vauntful Sennacherib, who made so sure of an easy victory and an added honour, there was reserved, in the righteous providence of God, a calamitous disaster ( 2 Chronicles 32:21 ; and see 2 Kings 19:15 ) and bitter shame. "So he returned with shame of face to his own land" ( 2 Chronicles 32:21 ). Thus he that exalted himself was abased; and thus the haughty may expect to be brought low, for there are two powers working against them.

II. THE HISTORY OF THE HUMBLE . Humility, in the person of the godly Hezekiah, presents an opposite picture to that of his formidable and defiant enemy.

1 . It is apparently in great peril. The outward and visible forces—those of this world—are decidedly against it. If the race were always to the swift and the battle to the strong, there would be no chance for humility. It would never clasp the goal, nor win the victory.

2 . Its character is one of beauty and of piety. There is no little moral comeliness in humility; it is "fair to see;" it attracts the gaze of the purest eyes above and below. Moreover, its spirit is reverent; it knows its own helplessness, and it looks upward for the aid it needs; it "cries to Heaven" ( 2 Chronicles 32:20 ); it leans on God.

3 . Its end is not only deliverance, but honour. The Lord saved Hezekiah from the hand of Sennacherib ( 2 Chronicles 32:22 ); and to the King of Judah were brought valuable gifts, and "he was magnified in the sight of all nations" ( 2 Chronicles 32:23 ). Concerning humility now, as it may appear in all men's hearts, we may say that