ESV Global Study Bible :: Footnotes for Isaiah 37

Isa. 37:1–2 Unlike his faithless father Ahaz in ch. 7, Hezekiah responds to a crisis by turning to God and seeking a word from him.

Isa. 37:3 Hezekiah admits that, as the moment of crisis arrives, Judah’s strength is failing (compare 66:7–9). But there is no stopping the events now set in motion. The situation is desperate, and God’s people have no ability to respond.

Isa. 37:4 to mock the living God. Hezekiah understands what matters most—not the survival of his kingdom but the triumph of what his kingdom stands for: the glory of God. the remnant that is left. The city of Jerusalem (see 36:1).

Isa. 37:7 Behold, I will put a spirit in him. The God whom Sennacherib dismisses (36:18–20) is actually in complete command of Sennacherib. His “great army” (36:2), too impressed with itself to respect “mere words” (36:5), will be dispersed by a rumor. Sennacherib will fall by the sword. See 37:38.

Isa. 37:10 Do not let your God in whom you trust deceive you by promising. The Assyrian makes the issue clear as he intensifies his blasphemy. To him, what counts is not divine promise but human intimidation (see 36:5, 7, 15, 18).

Isa. 37:16 Hezekiah does not put his own safety first, nor does he plead his own righteousness. He bases his prayer on the character and universal sovereignty of God.

Isa. 37:20 save us. Isaiah’s message was that the Lord alone saves (see 12:2–3; 25:9; 33:22; 35:4; 43:11; 45:21–22; 51:5–8; 52:10; 56:1; 59:1; 16–17; 63:1; 5). Now Hezekiah gives voice to that faith, bringing the message of the book to a focal point. that all the kingdoms of the earth may know. The ultimate reason why God intervenes for his people is to make them a living proof of his glory.

Isa. 37:21 Because you have prayed to me. Hezekiah expressed his dependence on God by praying and waiting for an answer before acting. Hezekiah is told that his prayer actually affected the way God acted in history.

Isa. 37:22 The word that the Lord has spoken will be the final and decisive word in what has been a war of human words.

Isa. 37:26–29 I determined it long ago. God does not simply respond to events as they happen; those events merely reveal his own long-intended purpose (see 14:24–27; 25:1; 44:6–8).

Isa. 37:33–35 He shall not come into this city. God will defend his city for his own glory and out of faithfulness to his covenant with David (see 2 Sam. 7:12–13; Isa. 9:7; 11:1; 55:3–4; Rom. 1:1–5; Rev. 22:16).

Isa. 37:36–38 God keeps his promise, vindicating Hezekiah’s faith with a stunning demonstration of his power over his enemies (see 8:8–10; 10:33–34; 31:8).