Tuesday, July 17, 2012

The rest of Hezekiah's reign (2 Chronicles 32; Isaiah 38-39; 2 Kings 20)

One day, Hezekiah got really sick and Isaiah went to him and told him that God said that Hezekiah will die.

Hezekiah responded by praying and weeping bitterly for God's mercy. Even before Isaiah left, God told Isaiah to go back and tell the king that God will extend his life by 15 years.

Eventually, word of this miraculous recovery reaches the Babylonians who send gifts and envoys to Hezekiah. Hezekiah shows them the treasures of the palace. Isaiah asks him who they were and what they wanted and Hezekiah tells him what happened. Isaiah responds by saying that one day the Babylonians will take away the palace the treasures and the descendants of Hezekiah will be eunuchs to the Babylonian king.

Hezekiah seems pleased with this news because it means that there will be peace during the reign of Hezekiah.

So, the series of events seems a little confusing but they are all covered in the corresponding chapters, albeit each one has a slightly different point of view. The passage in 2 Chronicles states that Hezekiah had become very proud and the visit by the envoys was a test by God to determine what was in the heart of the king. In each account, Hezekiah seems to boast of s wealth and never gives credit to God for healing him. That said, just because it is recorded as such does not mean that he did not mention to the Babylonians that God healed him. Rather, showing the palace to the envoys would actually be a normal activity for the head of state.

So, what exactly is wrong? I think that Hezekiah's reaction about a peaceful reign is the crux. It is a selfish statement for the king to make because it Hezekiah is only concerned about what happens during his lifetime and not the state of the kingdom that the future generations will inherit. Thus, what might seem like a curse to later generations seems like a blessing to Hezekiah because his perspective is selfish and skewed.

Quick side tangent - this is also another great example of God changing his mind.

That is the last recorded anecdote about Hezekiah. After his death, his son Manasseh becomes king.

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