Notice the effect of the Assyrian invasion. The survivors would once again return to stay themselves on God, v. 20. It is a remarkable expression! Let us ponder carefully vs. 20 and 21. We are reminded of Cardinal Mercier’s famous pastoral letter, written after the desolation of Belgium, “Men long un-

accustomed to prayer are turning again to God. Nor is that prayer a word learned by rote; it surges up from the troubled heart, and takes its form at the feet of God by the very sacrifice of life.” It is evidently necessary that God, from time to time, should break up the foundations of human society in order that men may be awakened to consider the elemental realities of God and the soul, vs. 24-27. The destruction of Sennacherib is anticipated as resembling the overthrow of Midian by Gideon, and of Egypt in the Red Sea. Then the burden and yoke would be destroyed, so far as Jerusalem was concerned, in answer to the anointed priests who had pleaded for her deliverance. But how much more will the prayer of our anointed Saviour bring help to us!