Now therefore, Yahweh our God, save us, I beg you, out of his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you, Yahweh, are God alone.”

(2 Kings19:19, emphasis added)

Hezekiah is the King of Judah. His kingdom is being threatened by foreign enemies. He paid a ransom to the Assyrian Ruler Sennacherib to save Judah. Hezekiah fortified Jerusalem during this time of purchased peace. However, news of Hezekiah’s defiance made its way to Sennacherib. Envoys from the Assyrian commander went to meet with Hezekiah. They mocked him and they mocked Judah. Hezekiah was anxious about his situation and he reached out to Isaiah for guidance. Isaiah told Hezekiah not to fear the Assyrian commander. Isaiah told Hezekiah that God would “put fear into” Sennacherib. Sennacherib had other problems and he became concerned about being attacked by Egypt. He needed to end this battle for Jerusalem quickly. He penned a letter and had it delivered to Hezekiah. The letter was taken by Hezekiah to the Temple and there Hezekiah laid it out before God.

Hezekiah’s faithful prayer received God’s answer. Jerusalem would not be taken by this foreign enemy. Sennacherib and the Assyrian army will return to their homeland defeated and humiliated. Sennacherib will suffer the consequences for his blasphemous letter. It will also be known “that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you, Yahweh, are God alone.”

The advocate for universal reconciliation gives thanks to God for the wisdom of this verse. There is only one God and He already knows our way. He is the King over all. We have every reason to believe that His interest in “all the kingdoms” includes all the people created over all time as we know time. This is Impartial Grace.