The Failure of Hezekiah

Hezekiah was one of the good kings of Judah. Even though his father Ahaz was wicked, Hezekiah turned out to be a God-fearing king. In Hezekiah’s lifetime, we read of two delegations coming to meet him, carrying letters. One was from Assyria, the Rab-shakeh carrying the letter from Sennacherib, the King of Assyria and the other was from Merodach-Baladan, the king of Babylon.

Many things had happened between these two significant events of Hezekiah’s life. During the Assyrian invasion, Hezekiah turned to God and an angel of the Lord killed 1,85,000 Assyrian soldiers in one night! Sometime after this mighty incident, Hezekiah was sick unto death. Hezekiah prayed and God added 15 years to his life. God also gave him a miraculous sign as confirmation on the sun dial!

The word of all these divine interventions spread far and wide and envoys came from Babylon to learn more about this God who could not only annihilate a big army but also stop the rotation of the earth! At this time in history, the king of Babylon was seeking allies to strengthen himself against the king of Assyria. The Bible clearly records in 2 Chron. 32:31 that the Ambassadors from Babylon were “sent to him to inquire about the wonder that was done in the land.” They did not come to see the riches of Hezekiah or his military capability but wanted to know about the ‘wonder that was done in the land ‘. But Hezekiah instead of telling them how God delivered him from the Assyrians and from death, he showed them Judah’s treasure and armory.

While one letter drove Hezekiah to God, sadly the other one drove him to ‘self’, ‘for God had given him very much prosperity’(2 Chron. 32:29b). By now Manasseh was also born to Hezekiah, a much-needed son to sit on the throne! The physical and material blessings received from God, lifted up his heart.

My friend, our accomplishments, material and physical blessings, somehow tend to go to our head. All that we have is given by God; every talent and every blessing. There is nothing that we have that was not given by God. Prov. 16:18 says,” Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall”.

Pride of any kind, spiritual or professional, pride in any form, always goes before the fall! Let us always stay humble, giving glory to God in everything.

Categories: Weekly DevotionalsAuthor: Hephzibah StephenDate: 31st October 2017 Share: newsletterDisplay date: 1st November 2017

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