Isaiah 37: Group Study Handout

Overview

When king Hezekiah heard the threats from Assyria, he tore his clothes and put on sackcloth. He went into Yahweh's house and sent Eliakim, Shebna, and the priests to Isaiah the prophet (vv. 1-2).

Key verse

“Hezekiah prayed to Yahweh, saying, “Yahweh of Armies, the God of Israel, who is enthroned among the cherubim, you are the God, even you alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth.”

Isaiah 37:15-16 (WEB)

Outline

1. Isaiah 37:1–2 Hezekiah's Distress
2. Isaiah 37:3–4 Hezekiah's Message to Isaiah
3. Isaiah 37:5–7 Isaiah's Assurance of Deliverance
4. Isaiah 37:8–13 Rabshakeh's Threatening Message
5. Isaiah 37:14–20 Hezekiah's Prayer
6. Isaiah 37:21–35 God's Response through Isaiah
7. Isaiah 37:36–38 Assyrian Defeat and Sennacherib's Fate

Discussion questions

1. In v1, why does Hezekiah tear his clothes and cover himself with sackcloth?
2. What does Hezekiah ask Isaiah to do in v4 regarding the remnant?
3. Hezekiah's prayer in vv. 15-20: what does he imply about the nature of God?
4. In v22, why does God refer to Jerusalem as the 'virgin daughter of Zion'?
5. When have you felt the need to lay something before God like Hezekiah did in v14?

Go deeper

Passages that echo Isaiah 37: 2 Kings 19, Isaiah 10, Isaiah 43.

Before next time: read Isaiah 38.