Hey Bible readers, I'm Tara Lee Cobble, and I'm your host for the Bible Recap.

Today we step into another perspective on the final days of King Hezekiah. Then we're done with him for good.

I'm bummed his story had to end like it did. I had such high

hopes for him. Yesterday we read about how God extended his life an extra 15 years, but he wasted

that blessing. Those personal details aren't included in this version of the story, because as we've

talked about before, chronicles his concern more with the high-level details,

not the behind-the-scenes information.

In the chapters immediately before today's reading, there are lots of stories of Hezekiah's

faithfulness. Then chapter 32 opens with an attack from an enemy nation, Assyria.

Just a reminder that we've read this before, so if it felt familiar to you, good.

That means you're retaining things.

At the start of today's reading, Hezekiah is still a wise leader.

His demise hasn't yet begun.

He's just living faithfully in Jerusalem and serving God and the people of Judah.

Then Assyria and its king Sinakurib decide to attack Jerusalem. Hezekiah makes a plan to outsmart him.

He cuts off the water supply to the city as a deterrent. He builds up the wall around the city,

fortifies their towers, stalks up on weapons, and organizes his army. Then he gives a pep talk to the

army, encouraging them with reminders that God is on their

side. He doesn't fixate on all the work he's done to defend the city or to prepare them for battle.

He centers his encouragement on the fact that God is with them. That is where their hope lies.

This is a big distinction we see in scripture versus what

the world teaches us. There's a lot of believe in yourself talk out there today. We don't see that

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