In this week's Navi class, we continued to proceed further in Sefer Yeshayahu. We began by reviewing an ideal world, filled with just leaders and praise of Hashem by the PEOPLE, who will recognize the values Hashem wants and that Hashem is their salvation, as presented in Perakim Yud Aleph-Yud Bet. Then, we commenced the study of Chiykiyahu's reign.
According to Divrei Haymim, Chiyzkiyahu was a splendid ruler for some time. He refurbished the Beit Hamikdash, purified it (the Beit Hamikdash was made impure due to the incidents of Achaz bringing Avodah Zarah into the Beit Hamikdash), and rededicated it. As a result, the people of Yehudah began to sacrifice to Hashem. Then, the entire nation (both Yehudah AND Ephraim) was invited to the Beit Hamikdash to partake in the Korban Pesach. This was a complete improvement and contrast to the time of Hoshea when the people of Ephraim willingly refused to return to Yerushalyim and go to the Beit Hamikdash. Chiyzkiyahu also removed the Bamot, which had previously been used to worship Hashem, among other such objects that were confiscated of as well. Chiyzkiyahu was acting in service to Hashem and was successful! He was causing a major religious revival, in which the people of Yehudah returned to worshipping Hashem.
All of these simply swell actions seem to be expecting geopolitical success as a result. Chiyzkiyahu probably wished to see a stable alliance with Ashur and/or wealth, expansion of borders, and military success. However, this is a dream. We know that one criteria of Yeshayahu's prophecies has been addressed (religious). However, there is still a tremendous lack of Tzedek U'Mishpat.
The account of Melachim has a slightly different perspective of this seemingly marvelous king. The description of the beginning of Chiykiayhu's reign is quite similar. A small addition to his actions are that he had faith and trust in Hashem and clung to Hashem. He also follows the Mitzvot given to Moshe. This was unheard of at the time! As a result, Hashem was with him.
Then, the similarities between the two Sepharim deviate. Chiykiyahu rebelled against Ashur by refusing to pay taxes. This was a dangerous move, as it would definitely provoke the fuming wrath of Ashur. In the fourteenth year of his reign, this all comes into play. Sancheriv, Melech Ashur, attacks cities of Yehudah. He sends a message to Ashur, confessing his sins and a plea to remove the affliction. This seems just a tad fishy. Shouldn't Chizkiyahu be relating this message in a prayer to Hashem? Doesn't Chiyzkiayhu realize that Hashem is the puppeteer and that Ashur is his pawn?
Then, the unthinkable happens. Chiyzkiyahu sends all the treasures of the Beit Hamikdash to Ashur. He even removed the golden doors of the Heychal! Removing these precious items are not his right to do!
We then returned to Sefer Yeshayahu. After besieging the cities of Yehudah, Sancheriv sends a messenger named Rav-Shakeh (can also be identified as a prestigious position) to intimidate Chiyzkiayhu. Ravshakeh relays two speeches to Chiyzkiyahu's messengers.
The first speech begins with a rebuke. Yehudah is chastised for trusting Egypt as an ally, for in Ashur's eyes, they are like a reed that can easily be broken. Then, an allegation that Hashem is not pleased with the removal of the Bamot, for the lack of Bamot now supposedly prevents Yehudah from worshipping Hashem properly. As a result, Hashem has sent Ashur to destroy the land. I found this interesting: how does Rav-Shakeh seem to know Hashem's motives? This seems very similar to the prophecy of Yeshayahu for someone who is supposedly from Ashur. This cannot be true though, for Rav-Shakeh blasphemed Hashem. Next, a declaration of Sancheriv's superiority in contrast to Chiyzkiyahu, and the promise of military stability (2,000 horses), instead of an alliance with Egypt. About midway throughout the speech, the messengers beseech Rav-Shakeh to change his language from Hebrew to Aramaic, so that the people will not understand his words. The goal of this speech is for the people to be persuaded to create an alliance with Ashur and Hashem is not happy with their choice to ally with Egypt and the removal of the Bamot. If Hashem is troubled by this, he will punish the people more. As a ticket to escape Hashem's wrath, the people must ally with Ashur.
The second speech begins with yet another reminder of the glory of Melech Ashur in comparison to the people's weak king. In order to escape this dreadful king's actions, Ashur will supply the people with food, water, and protection, instead of the life of famine imposed on the people by Chiyzkiyahu. Next, Chiyzkiyahu again declared that Hashem let Ashur destroy Shomron and will not save the people. The objective of this speech is to proclaim to the people how to meet their basic needs by surrendering to Ashur.
We then continued onto Perek Tet Zayin of Sefer Yeshayhu. At the start of the Perek, Chiyzkiyahu is in mourning (his reaction to the blasphemous speeches of Rav-Shakeh). He worries if Rav-Shakeh is correct and if Hashem is upset as a result of these terrible words. He sends messengers to Yeshayahu. This action is cowardly. Chiyzkiyahu is king. These are his matters to deal with.
The message to Yeshayahu is as follows. Chiyzkiayhu is unsure of what to do. The people and him have tried so desperately to escape this punishment (tunnels, religious revival). However, it seems as if they will not prevail. Chiyzkiyahu pleads with Yeshayahu to daven for him and as a result, take responsibility for Chiyzkiyahu's relationship with Hashem. This is yet another time that Chiyzkiyahu is avoiding a spiritual interaction with Hashem!
Yeshayahu then gives a prophecy about Melech Ashur. This king will hear a rumor and return to his land, where he will be killed. Suddenly, as if right on cue (further proof Hashem is the puppeteer), Rav-Shakeh sends a message to Chiyzkiyahu saying that the gods of other nations didn't save their people; Hashem will not be able to either.
Chiyzkiyahu then also does something he was not accustomed to doing. He davens to Hashem, asking him to save Bnei Yisrael. However, why is he davening now? What caused this?
Yeshayahu then sends a message to Chizykiyahu, stating that Ashur will be destroyed. Their haughtiness and belief in power will be their downfall. As if to show that this will occur, an angel of Hashem kills 185,000 people of Ashur. Sancheriv leaves and goes to Ninveh. He is then killed by his sons. This SHOULD produce tremendous praise towards Hashem. Yet, time and time again, things do not go as planned, and the people remain silent.
This last portion of the Perek bothered me persistently. How does someone ignore such a great miracle performed for their well-being and doesn't even thank Hashem for it. Or even acknowledge it?
I think that it is time for another addition to our constant "Sins of the People Chart." This sin is lack of Hakarat Hatov, gratitude. This was a sin that prevailed in the horrendous deeds of the people towards their fellows and to Hashem. The people didn't appreciate one another, and therefore developed an immoral and unethical society as result. However, the people also didn't recognize the sovereignty of Hashem, didn't develop fear and gratitude towards Hashem's wondrous deeds, and thus created a society of haughtiness and a quest for one's control.
I would like to return from my brief hiatus with quotes and insert one that really epitomizes the message conveyed. "Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others." (Marcus Tullius Cicero).
This quote could not be more relevant to ancient times and our lives today. Gratitude is the basis for all our actions. A lack of gratitude causes us to begin to lose focus of who truly provides for us. Instead, we begin to take things for granted and believe that we are the source of our own success, which leads to haughtiness. Oh, how the cycle of sin is so constant!
This was the mistake of Chiyzkiyahu. He chose to take for granted his immense success. This was his downfall. He never thanked Hashem. This thought of praising his eternal provider didn't cross his mind. This was a major problem among all the other nations, as well. He failed to acknowledge Hashem. Some say that when Chiyzkiayhu davened to Hashem, his illness was the spark of this sudden change. In my opinion, this is why the ideal world could not have occurred during his time. This world could have only existed with the spread knowledge and praise of Hashem. For example, both predator and prey cannot live together in harmony without the knowledge of Hashem.
Today, we have to contemplate how we respond to acts of kindness from others. Are we truly grateful for everything in our lives? Do we really appreciate what we are so graciously given? Are our praising words in davening sincere? This is all food for thought, and now is the perfect time to contemplate them, with Thanksgiving and Chanukah right around the corner.
This arises a question. Is Ashur being sent to attack the people because of a lack of Hakarat Hatov?
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