Hezekiah
In the history of the Kings of Judah, Hezekiah was one of the best. He led His nation well and did many great things. However, toward the end of his reign, he did something stupid. (Read this story in 2 Kings Ch.20. This thing that he did was a product of him doing what was right in his own eyes. The result was death and destruction for his children, grandchildren, and nation.
Honestly, when I read his story, I felt sorry for Hezekiah. After all, he was a good man who made one terrible decision. Afterward, the prophet Isaiah came to him with this message: “The king of Babylon will invade your nation. Your descendants will become slaves and eunuchs, and your people will be scattered.”
Hezekiah responds, “Well, at least there will be peace in my lifetime.” Whenever I read his response, I am horrified. How could anyone be so cold and callous about the future suffering of their children and grandchildren?
It is true that all of us have done stupid things at some point in our lives. Thankfully, for most of us, the result of our bad choices will not be as bad as it was for Hezekiah. Nevertheless, you must know that everything you do, small or great, will have some impact on yours and your children’s future. That is why it is important never to do anything simply because it looks good in your own eyes.
One more thing! What is your grandchildren’s future worth to you? Will you speak out while others stay silent? Will you rise up for the battle while others stay home? Will you stand up against evil, even when people call you a fool? Or will you be like Hezekiah and say, “Just let me have peace in my lifetime?”
“Then Isaiah the prophet went to King Hezekiah, and said to him, “What did these men say, and from where did they come to you?” So Hezekiah said, “They came to me from a far country, from Babylon.” And he said, “What have they seen in your house?” So Hezekiah answered, “They have seen all that is in my house; there is nothing among my treasures that I have not shown them.”
Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, “Hear the word of the Lord of hosts: ‘Behold, the days are coming when all that is in your house, and what your fathers have accumulated until this day, shall be carried to Babylon; nothing shall be left,’ says the Lord. ‘And they shall take away some of your sons who will descend from you, whom you will beget; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.’ ”
So Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “The word of the Lord which you have spoken is good!” For he said, “At least there will be peace and truth in my days.”
Isaiah 39:3-8 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/isa.39.3-8.NKJV
Douglas & Deborah Huff
From Down Where the Pavement Ends
Email-pavementendsministry@gmail.com
