As Assyria was threatening to attack Jerusalem, we see Hezekiah and his friends in sackcloth. 2 Kings 19:1As soon as King Hezekiah heard it, he tore his clothes and covered himself with sackcloth and went into the house of the Lord. 2 And he sent Eliakim, who was over the household, and Shebna the secretary, and the senior priests, covered with sackcloth, to the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz.[1]
Sackcloth was a burlap-like material made from goat’s hair. It would have been quite uncomfortable to wear and was worn during times of mourning and repentance. It was an outer sign of what was happening in a person’s heart. As Hezekiah’s friends joined in wearing sackcloth, it showed a shared response to the crisis.
Public Repentance and Appeal
Hezekiah and all of Jerusalem knew they were in danger from the Assyrians. They were the underdogs and faced an impossible situation. They were desperate for God’s intervention and remembered what God had told Solomon. 2 Chronicles 7:14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.[2]
It was not just wearing sackcloth and saying words of repentance that would move God. It had to be a change of heart. God knows our inner thoughts and motives. 1 Samuel 16:7bThe Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.[3]
They wondered if God was judging them for the sins in their past. Hezekiah’s father, Ahaz, had drifted away from God. But Hezekiah wanted to follow the Lord and had put reforms in place. God had just exiled the northern kingdom of Israel because of their rebellion. Would Judah and Jerusalem be next? The city joined in repentance before their God.
Repentance and Prayer Today
We don’t wear sackcloth anymore, but we still need to be aware of the need for repentance. We see many things in our culture that cause us grief. Satan continues to use people to carry out his plan to kill, steal, and destroy. His favorite tactic is deception, as he makes sin look attractive. As God changes our individual hearts, we are to share His truth with others.
Believers can join together to repent for our nation’s sin. We can petition God to do the impossible because of His grace. How are each of us living to glorify the Lord? What are we doing to help right the wrongs?
To learn more about friends in sackcloth, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/hezekiah-assyrians
[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (2 Ki 19:1–2). (2016). Crossway Bibles.
[2-3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (1 Sa 16:7). Tyndale House Publishers.