Observation: The better translation of this passage is not that Sennacherib had set up camp, but that he was actively laying siege to Lachish. As the king of Assyria, Sennacherib had never failed to defeat a city, and that wasn't going to change now. He would defeat Lachish, then march on Jerusalem, where ... one night the Lord would kill so many members of his army that he was forced to return to his capitol, Ninevah, without defeating Jerusalem.
Application: Just this week I watched a Youtube video about the archeology of Ninevah, and finding both the palace artwork and inscriptions describing King Sennacherib's campaign against Israel and Judah. It names both Sennacherib and Hezekiah, depicts a drawing of the siege of Lachish, says that was the greatest city he defeated, and stops short of saying he was able to conquer Judah (and leaves Jerusalem completely out of the narrative). In other words, the ruins of ancient Ninevah 100 percent align to this portion of 2 Chronicles.
I find it so amazing to see, over and over again, the historical accuracy of scriptures. I feel this way not as a way for me to better believe scriptures, but as a way to perhaps let others know the reality of scriptures ... not that I have to be the one who delivers that message, but they could find it on their own. To have absolute proof that so many parts of the bible are real must certainly make others think about belief in the Lord in a deeper way.
I hope that is true.
Prayer: Lord, I know all your word is true and reliable. May others discover the truth found in you, either by their own curiosity, or by our delivery of your good news. Amen.
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