Click to read 2 Kings 20
Synopsis
Hezekiah was one of the very few kings who obeyed God. As a result, Judah flourished and became a strong nation. On his last days when he was very ill to the point of death, Hezekiah became proud after God answered his prayer for healing. His pride made him boast of his own successes instead of giving credit to God who had given him all his successes. This chapter records this most important point - God does not condone pride, for pride is the manifestation of a self-centered heart.
Major Verses
V4-7 - When Hezekiah prayed for healing, God answered and added 15 years to his life.
What I learned
God is a faithful and loving God. When we are in need and we dare to ask Him for help, He answers. Do not be afraid to pour out our needs and hurts to God - He desires us to trust and rely on Him. He will surely answer.
V8 - Hezekiah need a miraculous sign from God to be assured that the words Isaiah told him were genuinely from God. God lovingly showed it to him, moving time back wards (by moving the shadow of the sundial 10 steps back) to give Hezekiah His assurance.
What I learned
God loves those who love Him, so much that He is willing to do extra-ordinary things to give us assurance of His love. Let us go boldly to our Abba Father and rely on Him for help at all times. For indeed, He is a very present help in times of our troubles.
V12-13, 15-19 - The king of Babylon heard of the miraculous healing on Hezekiah and sent his envoy to pay a visit. Instead of acknowledging that God had healed him and showed him a miraculous sign, Hezekiah chose to show him his material success (see also 2 Ch 32:24-31 which says that God left Hezekiah so that his heart could be tested). God wanted to test how Hezekiah would respond and proved that he had become proud.
What I learned
Pride is an attitude that we can all do away with. Pride elevates our human effort or abilities beyond what they really are. Worst, pride makes our heart treat our own strength above God's. It causes us to think of our successes and forget that it is God who had given us those successes in the first place. Let us ask the Holy Spirit to help us to always depend upon and acknowledge God and give Him all the credit due. Pride has no place in a believer's life.
Summary
Hezekiah was one of the very few kings that obeyed God. He did well throughout his reign and Judah flourished. Unfortunately, in his last days, his pride stood before him and God's love. Thankfully, Hezekiah repented (2 Ch 32:26) and so Judah did not incur the wrath of the Lord.
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Up next .. Hezekiah's son took over the nation but he was an evil king...coming up on 11 Aug.
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