Read: 2
Kings 20
While 2 Kings 18 and 19 reveal Hezekiah’s
godliness, chapter 20 reveals that he also has faults. He is righteous, but
also struggles with human weakness. In the first story, we see Hezekiah’s
humanity displayed via emotion. The king falls ill and the prospects are not
good. Isaiah comes with a message: Hezekiah should get his house in order, for
he will not recover. Hezekiah is troubled by the prognosis, just as you or I
would be. He turns away from Isaiah and prays to God. Hezekiah pleads for God
to change His mind. His prayers are reminiscent of Abraham’s pleas for Sodom
(Genesis 18:16-33). God responds to Hezekiah’s prayers. He will give Hezekiah
another fifteen years to live and will deliver Jerusalem from Assyria (v 6).
The king hears this message and wants to test it. While Isaiah has proven
himself a trustworthy prophet, it is always wise to test major, directional
prophecies. Isaiah allows Hezekiah to choose the sign he wants, and the Lord
let it be so.
Upon hearing that Hezekiah is ill, the king of
Babylon sends Hezekiah gifts via messenger. Hezekiah gives the messengers a
tour. “There was nothing in his palace or in all his kingdom that Hezekiah did
not show them” (v 13). Here we see Hezekiah’s humanity displayed through
self-centeredness. He could merely have received the Babylonian king’s gifts
and returned a heartfelt message of gratitude. Instead, he used the opportunity
to boast about his treasures. At this, Isaiah prophesies that Judah’s eventual
demise will be at the hands of the Babylonians (v 16-18). Hezekiah wanted to
appear grand before the very people who would one day shame his ancestors.
Prayer and
Journaling
1. Hezekiah was weak, but still righteous. This is
great encouragement: all people are weak, but we can all please God anyway!
Read 2 Corinthians 4:7. Ask God how He wants to use your weakness to glorify
His name.
2. In this passage we read about how Hezekiah
reacted to bad news. How do you respond to bad news? Are you honest about how
it makes you feel? Do you bring those feelings to God and ask for His help?
3. Pray for your family today. Reflect on the areas
in which God had been growing you as you’ve been studying 2 Kings. Ask God to
grow your family members in these same areas.
