Be still, and know that I am God (comp. Exodus 14:13, Exodus 14:14; 2 Chronicles 20:17; Isaiah 30:15). As a general rule, God requires man to cooperate with him. "We are fellow-workers with God." "Aide-toi, le ecel t'aidera."
But there are occasions when man must stand aloof, and all must be left to the almighty Disposer of all things. The invasion of Sennacherib was such an occasion. Human effort could not but be futile; and unless God gave deliver-ante in some strange and extraordinary way, there was no hope of escape: Judaea must cease to exist as an independent country.
I will be exalted among the heathen. When a deliverance was plainly miraculous, the God of Israel got him special honour among the neighbouring heathen nations, who could not gainsay the fact that there had been a supernatural interposition (comp.
Exodus 14:4, Exodus 14:17, Exodus 14:18). I will be exalted in the earth. Exaltation among the neighbouring heathen had an effect upon a still wider circle.