Read the Word:
2 Kings 20:12-19
Meditate on the Word:
The shocking thing about this whole incident is not that Hezekiah showed these envoys from Babylon everything in his palace. It’s unlikely that he considered them to be “casing the joint.” After all, Israel had just defeated Babylon’s most powerful enemy. It would seem unlikely that they would plot an attack on those who had a common enemy. So, showing visitors around, is likely unwise, but not shocking.
Certainly, Hezekiah missed a great opportunity in this visit. Instead of showing them how great his kingdom and his wealth were, what if he had shown them how great his God is? What if he had told them how God had given Israel victory over Assyria? What if Hezekiah had told these envoys how God healed the illness that prompted their visit? The purpose of God’s people was so that the people of the world repent and come to Him. If Hezekiah had simply told about the miracles he had received, how different would this visit have looked?
The truly shocking thing about this incident is Hezekiah’s response when he was told that his kingdom would be sacked and that his descendants would be taken away as eunuchs to the king of Babylon. Instead of asking Isaiah the prophet to intercede for the preservation of the kingdom, his thoughts were that as long as there was peace and security in his lifetime, it didn’t matter what happened to his children. It seems as though Hezekiah just didn’t believe that it would actually happen. Yet, as we know from later in scripture, it did happen. What if Hezekiah had actually cared about the future of his children and his country?
Pray the Word:
Ask the Lord to help you to avoid foolish actions that endanger the future of you and your family.
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