先知以賽亞在三十六章到三十九章裡成為史學家以賽亞。這段經文中記載著兩段歷史事件：一是主前七○一年，亞述大軍企圖侵略猶大：二是希西家王的生命飽受惡疾威脅。當上帝的使者殺了亞述大軍十八萬五千人時，侵略者笑罵的嘴臉轉而痛哭流涕，以致撤軍──這是上帝對希西家明確禱告的直接回答。上帝回答希西家的另一個禱告是延長十五年壽命，但他卻以額外的年日追求私慾，而不尋求上帝的旨意，遂為自己的國家蓋上滅亡的印記。這時歷史舞台已為巴比倫設置好征服擄掠猶大百姓的場景，上帝的審判暫告一段落。

        喜歡被譏諷嘲弄的人請站起來！你可能很快就對這個邀請不予理會，畢竟沒有一個人喜歡受人譏諷嘲弄。正如保羅提醒年輕的提摩太：「凡立志在基督耶穌裡敬虔度日的，也都要受逼迫」 (提後3：12)當一個基督徒蒙召在這個不潔的世界裡代表上帝時，你可能發現自己被迫吞嚥譏諷的苦水，而且是經常吞嚥！
        這樣的情況也發生在希西家和他的同胞身上，亞述大軍不但揶揄恥笑他們，還藐視輕看他們對上帝的信仰，但最後猶大百姓終能開懷大笑。由於這件事使他們明白，當你認識了這位天上偉大的上帝之後，譏諷挪揄不過是一樁小事！
        別人的譏諷揶揄或羞辱漫罵會阻止你跟隨上帝的態度嗎？為了怕別人的閒言閒語，使你忌諱在辦公室開一個查經班，或為左鄰右舍舉辦一個家庭佈道茶會嗎？學習希西家吧，你是屬於勝隊的！

「鼠輩，再度四處橫行！」
        古希臘史學家希羅多德曾引用許多鼠疫在亞述蔓延的例子，也許這種致命的疾病就是上帝使者所帶來的黑死病，真是一大諷刺啊！

爲主受苦可視為一種恩典。

English

        Isaiah the prophet becomes Isaiah the historian during chapters 36-39. Two major historical events dominate the narrative: the attempted invasion of Judah by the Assyrian army in 701 B.C.. and the critical illness that threatened King Hezekiah's life. The taunts of the Assyrian invaders are turned into cries of anguish and retreat as 185,000 die at die hand of the angel of the Lord—a direct answer to Hezekiah's specific prayer. God answers another of Hezekiah s prayers by extending his life 15 years. But by using those extra years for selfish pursuits rather than for God's purposes, Hezekiah seals the fate of his nation. The stage is set for Babylon to conquer and cany off the people of Judah, bringing down the curtain on God's judgment.

        All those who like to be ridiculed, please stand up.
        That is one invitation you would probably just as soon ignore! After all, no one likes to be mocked or ridiculed for taking a stand. But as Paul warned young Timothy, "All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution" (2 Timothy 3:12). As a Christian called upon to stand for God in a godless world, you may find yourself asked to swallow the bitter pill of ridicule—and swallow it regularly.
        It happened to Hezekiah and his countrymen. Jeered at by the Assyrian hordes and belittled for their faith in God, the people of Judah had the last laugh. Through it all they learned that ridicule means little when you know the great God of heaven!
        Has the thought of ridicule or verbal abuse stopped you from taking a stand for God? Have you avoided suggesting an office Bible study or evangelistic house party in your neighborhood because of the fear of what others might say? Take a tip from Hezekiah; You're on the winning team!

"Rats, Foiled Again!" —
        Herodotus, an ancient Greek historian, cites instances of mice infestations in Assyria. Perhaps the deadly plague brought by the angel of the Lord was bubonic ... and thus ironic!

Suffering for Christ's sake is to be viewed as a privilege.