Hezekiah’s Visitors And Death
January 19, 2021
Commentary
In Hezekiah’s pursuit of an anti-Assyrian policy he made alliances with both Egypt and Babylon. When he was sick (possibly with boils) the king of Babylon sent him presents as well as letters wishing for his recovery (v. 12). Attempting to show gracious hospitality to the messengers he showed them all the treasures of his kingdom (v. 13). When Isaiah heard about this he asked the king what these Babylonians had seen in his house (vv. 14-15). When the king told him Isaiah delivered God’s message that someday the Babylonians would come and take all of it including some of his sons (vv. 16-18). We have been learning about the greatness of Hezekiah, but in his greatness came weakness as he became lifted up with pride and revealed to his future enemy all that he possessed (vv. 19-20). When Hezekiah died, his son Manasseth became the next king (v. 21).
Four simple points can be found in this text:
1. Remember where we were. Before we were saved by God’s grace, we were sinners, without strength, and without hope. Let us never give to anyone the impression we were saved by our own strength or good works. Hezekiah should have said “all glory belongs to God.”
2. Remember whose we are. Hezekiah should have told his visitors, “This is not mine, all that I have belongs to God.
3. Remember where we are going. Hezekiah should have said “This is nice, but it is nothing compared to the glory that shall be revealed. In Heaven they pave the streets with gold!”
4. Remember where we could have been. Although Hezekiah was a great king, he could have been even greater. We are either going to say, I’m so glad I did,” or “I wish that I had….”
Application
Sin will separate me from God and may bring pain and suffering. I want to always be ready to quickly repent and experience the joy of walking with Him.
Isaiah 54:1– 17 (NET)
1 âShout for joy, O barren one who has not given birth! Give a joyful shout and cry out, you who have not been in labor! For the children of the desolate one are more numerous than the children of the married woman,â says the Lord.
2 Make your tent larger, stretch your tent curtains farther out! Spare no effort, lengthen your ropes, and pound your stakes deep.
3 For you will spread out to the right and to the left; your children will conquer nations and will resettle desolate cities.
4 Donât be afraid, for you will not be put to shame. Donât be intimidated, for you will not be humiliated. You will forget about the shame you experienced in your youth; you will no longer remember the disgrace of your abandonment.
5 For your husband is the one who made youâ the Lord of Heavenâs Armies is his name. He is your Protector, the Holy One of Israel. He is called âGod of the entire earth.â
6 âIndeed, the Lord will call you back like a wife who has been abandoned and suffers from depression, like a young wife when she has been rejected,â says your God.
7 âFor a short time I abandoned you, but with great compassion I will gather you.
8 In a burst of anger I rejected you momentarily, but with lasting devotion I will have compassion on you,â says your Protector, the Lord.
9 âAs far as I am concerned, this is like in Noahâs time, when I vowed that the waters of Noahâs flood would never again cover the earth. In the same way I have vowed that I will not be angry at you or shout at you.
10 Even if the mountains are removed and the hills displaced, my devotion will not be removed from you, nor will my covenant of friendship be displaced,â says the Lord, the one who has compassion on you.
11 âO afflicted one, driven away, and unconsoled! Look, I am about to set your stones in antimony, and lay your foundation with lapis lazuli.
12 I will make your pinnacles out of gems, your gates out of beryl, and your outer wall out of beautiful stones.
13 All your children will be followers of the Lord, and your children will enjoy great prosperity.
14 You will be reestablished when I vindicate you. You will not experience oppression; indeed, you will not be afraid. You will not be terrified, for nothing frightening will come near you.
15 If anyone dares to challenge you, it will not be my doing! Whoever tries to challenge you will be defeated.
16 Look, I create the craftsman, who fans the coals into a fire and forges a weapon. I create the destroyer so he might devastate.
17 No weapon forged to be used against you will succeed; you will refute everyone who tries to accuse you. This is what the Lord will do for his servantsâ I will vindicate them,â says the Lord.
Illustration: Who Does Your Baby Look Like
We brought our newborn son, Adam, to the pediatrician for his first check-up. As he finished, the doctor told us, ââŹĹYou have a very cute baby.” Smiling, and with pride I said, ââŹĹI’ll bet you say that to all new parents.” ââŹĹNo,” he replied. ââŹĹjust to those whose babies really are good-looking.” ââŹĹSo what do you say to the others?” I asked. ââŹĹHe looks just like you.” (Matt Slot, Reader’s Digest, February 2005, p. 214).