Ahaz did not listen to the Lord’s word, and because of that his enemies came against him, and it went really badly for him and the people of Judah. The king of Israel even killed 120,000 soldiers and made 200,000 prisoners. But then we read of two surprising things.

First, a prophet was sent from God to the army of Israel to tell them something along these lines: “You are even worse than those you made prisoners. Do you think you are going to get away with it just like that? Send them back!” And four of their leaders, seeing their sins and believing God’s words, opposed the others and insisted on sending back the prisoners. And so they did. Yes, even in such a low state, the army of Israel listened to God’s word. God was there to deliver.

Second, after so many troubles, had Ahaz finally turned to God to find deliverance? It seems it did not even cross his mind. His calculation was simple: he had money, and the Assyrian king was strong. So he took all the silver and gold he could find in his house, in the house of the Lord, and among the princes, and sent it to the king of Assyria. And what was the outcome? “So Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria came against him and afflicted him instead of strengthening him.” Quite expensive for no results at all! God was not with him to deliver. Why? Because he turned to man for deliverance.

“Vain is man’s deliverance” (Ps. 60:11 jnd)! God even said through his prophet Jeremiah, “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord … Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord” (Jer. 17:5, 7). We have seen that, even in the most difficult situations, when God intervenes there is deliverance; but if we turn to man, there is no deliverance. Let us look to the Lord for His help and deliverance in today’s circumstances.