Perspectives – Your, My, His

Discerning a proper perspective on life’s events.

Introduction It is natural how major events are perceived

by different people/societies. Consider Hurricane Katrina, or the tragedy of

September 11, 2001. One looks at these events and calls them tragedies. Another looks at the same events and believes it to

be God’s warnings/judgments on the U.S.. Still, another looks at the same event and calls it

‘chance’, freak accidents, etc. Bias/beliefs affect a person’s perception

regarding each event.

Introduction In this lesson we shall look at:

One such major event and the varied perceptions provided through history.

How Christians can glean a biblically sound perspective by giving honor to God.

Major Event: Assyria’s Invasion Upon Judah Note the historical account of

Sennacherib’s invasion into Judah. Earlier, Israel had been taken into captivity.

2 Ki. 17:1-6 Hezekiah rebels against Sennacherib.

2 Ki. 18:7 Then the outer cities/villages of Judah.

2 Ki. 18:13 Then Jerusalem? 2 Ki. 18:14

Major Event: Assyria’s Invasion Upon Judah The perspectives of the story:

Assyria (via Sennacherib’s prism): boasted of their ability to force Hezekiah to pay tribute money.

Egypt (via Greek historian, Herodotus): believed their god saved them from Sennacherib.

Jews (via Jewish historian, Josephus): God sent a plague upon Sennacherib’s army.

God’s revelation: God 2 Ki. 19:35

Sennacherib’s AccountAs for Hezekiah the Judahite, who did not submit to my yoke: forty-six of his strong, walled cities, as well as the small towns in their area (were sieged). (Hezekiah) himself, like a caged bird I shut up in Jerusalem, his royal city. His cities, which I had despoiled, I cut off from his land… As for Hezekiah, the terrifying splendor of my majesty overcame him, and the Arabs and his mercenary troops which he had brought in to strengthen Jerusalem, his royal city, deserted him. To pay tribute and to accept servitude, he dispatched his messengers.

Herodotus’ Account“Some time later, Egypt was invaded by… Sennacherib…. After he had voiced his (prayer to his god), he fell asleep and dreamt he saw the god standing over him and telling him not to worry…because he would send him allies. Sethos put his trust in this dream (and) enlisted… his army of retailers, artisans, and traders. The opposing army arrived but at night, a swarm of field-mice gnawed through their quivers and their bows, and the handles of their shields as well, so that on the next day weaponless, all they could do was flee, and their losses were heavy.” (History 2:141).

Josephus’ Account“Now when Sennacherib was returning from his Egyptian war to Jerusalem, he found his army under Rabshakeh his general in danger [by a plague], for God had sent a pestilential distemper upon his army; and on the very first night of the siege, a hundred fourscore and five thousand, with their captains and generals, were destroyed” (Antiquities of the Jews, Book 10:1:5:21).

Biblical Account

Then it happened that night that the angel of the LORD went out and struck 185,000 in the camp of the Assyrians; and when men rose early in the morning, behold, all of them were dead. So Sennacherib king of Assyria departed and returned home, and lived at Nineveh. 2 Kings 19:35-36

Biblically Sound Perspective: Honoring God Like Sennacherib’s invasion, there are

many perspectives on life’s events. Natural disasters, calamities, illness, or getting

a raise, becoming pregnant, etc. All events are typically biased by the

perspective one has on life/belief system. Lk. 13:1-5; Jn. 9:2; Acts 28:4

Biblically Sound Perspective: Honoring God So, what is so important about

perspectives on life’s events? We believe God placed on earth to honor and

glorify His name. Psa. 86:9-10 We believe that God answers our prayers: He

intervenes in the lives of men. Cp. 2 Ki. 20:1-6 We believe in God’s principle of sowing and

reaping. Gal. 6:8; Prov. 14:34

Biblically Sound Perspective: Honoring God While God no longer speaks to man today:

We would be wise to acknowledge His involvement in the lives of His children. Rom. 8:28

We would be wise to always give Him the glory for the good that comes to our lives. Jas. 1:17

We would be wise to take heed when difficulties or tragedies come, that test our faith or warn us against sin. 2 Cor. 12:7; Lk. 13:1-5

Conclusion While we do not have divine revelation

given today we have so many examples of how God has always been (and continues to be) involved in the lives of men.

As God’s creation we must always give Him the glory and have a perspective that involves Him through life’s events.