This is the final chapter on King Hezekiah, covering two main topics: his life-threatening illness and miraculous recovery, and a prophesy of Babylonian exile.
“And Hezekiah welcomed [the Babylonian envoys], and he showed them all his treasure house, the silver, the gold, the spices, the precious oil, his armory, all that was found in his storehouses. There was nothing in his house or in all his realm that Hezekiah did not show them. Then Isaiah the prophet came to King Hezekiah, and said to him… ‘Hear the word of the Lord: Behold, the days are coming, when all that is in your house, and that which your fathers have stored up till this day, shall be carried to Babylon. Nothing shall be left, says the Lord.’ ” (v13-14,16-17 abr)
Babylonian envoys visit Judah and Hezekiah (somewhat foolishly) shows them all the wealth of Judah. Isaiah then prophesies of Judah’s Babylonian captivity. Hezekiah doesn’t seem to care much, knowing that it won’t happen in his lifetime (yet it will affect his great grandchildren). God allows this, knowing that six of out of the remaining seven kings of Judah will lead them astray like the kings of Israel did (um, ‘spoiler alert’?).
This passage reminds me that complacency isn’t acceptable. Just because we might not be personally be affected by our actions, it doesn’t mean we should carelessly allow consequences that will affect others. Carelessness has destroyed entire nations, and this planet, because we (in general) do a poor job of looking at the long-term consequences of our choices.
Our best course of action is to live in obedience to God as mush as possible. We can trust that God will never mislead us, and He will not likely ask us to do something that will harm this world or others. It’s important our words and actions leave a God-honoring legacy, especially as we raise up the next generation of Christ-followers. Hezekiah’s son does evil, and though we can’t control the next generation, we can certainly allow God to have a positive influence on them through us, so we can at least say we did everything we could.
Father God, our Holy and Magnificent Lord, we praise You for Your vast wisdom and mighty deeds. You have guided past generations in ways that honor you, and have honored us. May we learn to obey You more, and think of those who will follow. May we make right choices now, even if they’re difficult, to encourage those after us to follow You. Please help us to be good stewards of the gifts and resources You entrust to us. Please help us to raise up future generations that will honor and love You as we do. We ask this in the name of Jesus, the One who makes all of this possible. Amen.
~ Conqueror in Training