Hezekiah IV

I wish I could tell you that everything after what we have seen turns out wonderfully well. But I cannot. Yes, everything so far looks good. God did perform multiple miracles. Hezekiah recovered from his life-threatening disease. He did live fifteen more years. God sent His ‘death-angel’ through the Assyrian army camp and that night. 185,000 of the army that mocked God and God’s people died. Sennacherib (S) did return to Assyria in shame at this terrible defeat at the hand of the God he had mocked. When he got home he went into the temple of his God Nisroch and while he was there two of his sons stabbed him to death. God, as always, delivered on His promises. But during those fifteen years of extra life, Hezekiah made some blunders. A delegation from Babylon came to visit him. They brought letters of greetings and congratulations at his marvelous recovery from his illness and small gifts. Hezekiah did not spread this letter out before God and he should have. He then gave a grand tour to these ambassadors from Babylon. When he had sent them on their way home, Isaiah came to visit and asked: who they were, where they came from and what Hezekiah had showed them. They were messengers, from Babylon, he showed them all the wealth of Jerusalem. Hezekiah did not boast as Nebuchadnezzar did much later in pride saying, “Look at this great Babylon that I have made.” Such boastfulness and pride is abhorrent to God. Hezekiah knew full well God had given him all this wealth. But what they saw triggered the greed in the Babylonians. Isaiah tells Hezekiah the day will come when Babylon carries all this wealth away, destroys this nation, and makes captives of his progeny. Hezekiah’s concern was that it not happen in his lifetime and he would live out his lie in peace. Three unfortunate things happen in Hezekiah’s extra fifteen years: He fathers a son, Manasseh, who will be the most wicked of all Judah’s kings. He sets the wheels in motion to bring destruction of Jerusalem, the Temple, and seventy years of captivity for God’s people at the hands of the Babylonians. He does not seem concerned that his people will go into captivity. According to II Chronicles.32:25, Hezekiah does indulge in pride but fortunately he repents of it. He certainly was not perfect. But, he was honored by his people as being a man of God. Scripture does give commendation to him for being a godly king. We can learn from him that when we face fearful situations no matter what kind, God is able to get us through them.

Scriptures to Read

II Chronicles 32:1-8

II Chronicles 32:9-15

II Chronicles 32:16-31

II Chronicles 32:32-33

II Chronicles 33:1-6

II Kings 19:20-34

II Kings 19:35-37