2 Chronicles 32:8

2Ch 32:8 With him [is] an arm of flesh; but with us [is] the LORD our God to help us, and to fight our battles. And the people rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.

Ver. 8. With him is an arm of flesh.] Flesh is frail: and God can make the strongest sinew in his arm to crack quickly.

But with us is the Lord our God.] The import of "Immanuel"; by which name Christ now began to be known amongst them.

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

This declareth that Hezekiah did ever put his trust in God, and yet made himself strong and used lawful means, lest he should seem to tempt God.

That is, the power of man.

Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain. Text via Bolls.life.

(8) With him is an arm of flesh.—A reminiscence of Jer_17:5, “the man that maketh flesh his arm.” (Comp. Isa_31:3 : “Their horses are flesh and not spirit.”) His power is human, ours superhuman.

To fight our battles.—1Sa_8:20, “a king . . . to fight our battles.”

Rested themselves upon.—Leaned on—e.g., a staff, Isa_36:6; and so trusted in, Isa_48:2.

A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

8. an arm of flesh] Cp. Jer_17:5. Contrast the frequent phrase “a mighty hand and a stretched out arm” (of Jehovah). An “arm” is an ally or helper.

with us is the Lord] Cp. 2Ch_15:2; 2Ch_20:17; Isa_8:10.

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

After this did Sennacherib king of Assyria send his servants to Jerusalem,.... Who are mentioned by name, Kg2 18:17 this was after Hezekiah had given him a large quantity of silver and gold to depart, and he did depart from him, Kg2 18:14

but he himself laid siege against Lachish, and all his power with him; one of the cities of Judah, see Isa 36:2, from hence he dispatched them

unto Hezekiah king of Judah, and unto all Judah that were at Jerusalem; who had retired thither for safety, upon the invasion of their country by the king of Assyria.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

The faith, which Hezekiah’s words express, presently wavered, died away, and was succeeded by despair and submission (compare 2Ki 18:14-16 notes).

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

(see 2Ki_6:16; Jer_17:5) The admirable language of Hezekiah here quickens our desire to feel sure that this was after (and after genuine repentance for) his faithlessness. (2Ki_18:14-16)

Resting upon words.

the people rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah." How far are we right and wise in building upon words, upon the words of another?

I THE FOLLY OF RESTING ON THE USE OF FORMULAE. There are some sacred forms or phrases, theological or scriptural, which have been much urged upon men, as if they had some very special potency in them; as if we could be perfectly at rest, in regard to human souls, if they did but pronounce those particular phrases with their lips. Such superstition as this is pitiable and perilous. It is utterly without warrant, and it is likely to withdraw the soul from that true trust in which life is to be found. To believe in Jesus Christ can never be resolved into the use of any form of words, how ever excellent or scriptural such form may be.

II THE CONFIDENCE WHICH IS FATAL, viz. to rest upon the words of those who are unworthy of our trust. How many of the children of men have lost everything that is most precious because they have made this fatal mistake! Of those whose words should never be built upon are:

1. The ignorant, whose range of knowledge is very small, and who have not had the opportunity of learning the ascertainable truth and wisdom of God.

2. The prejudiced and obdurate, who will not learn, and therefore do not know and cannot counsel.

3. The superficial, who are contented with a knowledge which does not reach "the deep heart of truth.

4. The false, who only say what they think is palatable and profitable.

5. The fickle, who have one doctrine to-day, but may have a different one to-morrow.

III THE TRUST WHICH IS SOUND AND WISE. There are words on which we may build. When God speaks to us we know that we may rest on his Word absolutely; we know that we should heed his warnings, and that we may build on his promises. "Heaven and earth shall pass away," etc. But how shall we know when Christ is speaking to us? Many speak in his name who do not speak on his authority.

1. We should pay regard to the words of those who profess to speak forhim, and whose character for purity and unselfishness sustains their claim. (Mat_7:15-20)

1. We should heed the words of those of his disciples who urge that whichmeets our spiritual necessities and accords with the deepest convictions of our nature.

2. We should con sult the Master"s own recorded words, always remembering that they are to be interpreted in the spirit, and not in the letter. If we do this we shall not only be "resting on words," we shall be building on the rock, for we shall be abiding in the truth; we shall be grounded on the very wisdom of God itself, or (we may say) on the Wisdom of God himself. C. (1Co_1:24, 1Co_1:30)

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.