Bible Nuggets

King Hezekiah's Failure

Introduction

King Hezekiah was about to die.  His health was failing badly, and to make matters worse, when he called for the prophet of the Lord to pray for him to recover, he was bluntly told to "Put your house in order, because you are going to die." (Isaiah 38:1)  That was very little comfort to a man in need.

But instead of heeding the advice of the prophet, Hezekiah fell on his face before the Lord and pleaded for his life.  He humbled himself before God and the Lord lifted him up.  He had compassion on Hezekiah and added 15 years to his life.

In all, Hezekiah was one of the better kings Israel had.  He was one who followed the Lord for his whole reign.  He pointed Israel back to the Lord and away from idolatry.  So what was Hezekiah's failure?

The Failure

It can be found in Isaiah 39.  Babylon sent envoys to Israel.  They showed up with gifts for Hezekiah, who was then more than willing to show off his kingdom.  He showed them everything he had.  Everything Israel had was on display before these foreign men.

God was displeased.  But why?  Because Hezekiah's pride was on display with all the wares of Israel.

God pronounced judgment on Israel.  "Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, 'Hear the word of the LORD Almighty: ⁶ The time will surely come when everything in your palace, and all that your fathers have stored up until this day, will be carried off to Babylon. Nothing will be left, says the LORD.  And some of your descendants, your own flesh and blood who will be born to you, will be taken away, and they will become eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.' "  (Isaiah 39:5-7)

Now recall that, the last time Hezekiah was faced with a personal pronouncement of doom, he fell on his face before the Lord and begged for compassion.  Would he repeat this?  Not this time.

Instead, Hezekiah's response was, "The word of the LORD you have spoken is good," Hezekiah replied. For he thought, "There will be peace and security in my lifetime." (Isaiah 39:8)

Instead of being concerned for the welfare of the nation he was given charge of, and for the nation his children would be ruling after his demise, he simply thought, "well...that will be someone else's problem, not mine."

I need to be more concerned with how my actions are affecting my offspring, and the condition I am leaving them in, than I am for my own comfort and temporary well-being.