Focus Chapters:
- 2 Kings 20:1-11
- Isaiah 38:1-8
- 2 Chronicles 32:24-31
- Isaiah 38:9-22
- 2 Kings 20:12-19
- Isaiah 39
Standout Verse(s):
THE ACTION
2 Chronicles 32:31 NLT
However, when ambassadors arrived from Babylon to ask about the remarkable events that had taken place in the land, God withdrew from Hezekiah in order to test him and to see what was really in his heart.
Isaiah 39:1 NLT
Hezekiah was delighted with the Babylonian envoys and showed them everything in his treasure-houses—the silver, the gold, the spices, and the aromatic oils. He also took them to see his armory and showed them everything in his royal treasuries! There was nothing in his palace or kingdom that Hezekiah did not show them.
THE REACTION
Isaiah 39:3-6 NLT
Then Isaiah the prophet went to King Hezekiah and asked him, “What did those men want? Where were they from?” Hezekiah replied, “They came from the distant land of Babylon.” “What did they see in your palace?” asked Isaiah. “They saw everything,” Hezekiah replied. “I showed them everything I own—all my royal treasuries.” Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, “Listen to this message from the Lord of Heaven’s Armies: ‘The time is coming when everything in your palace—all the treasures stored up by your ancestors until now—will be carried off to Babylon. Nothing will be left,’ says the Lord.
Observation (s):
- God decided to test Hezekiah.
However, when ambassadors arrived from Babylon to ask about the remarkable events that had taken place in the land, God withdrew from Hezekiah in order to test him and to see what was really in his heart.
- Despite the envoys coming to learn of the remarkable events in Hezekiah’s life, Hezekiah spends the visit showing them all “his” earthly treasures.
However, when ambassadors arrived from Babylon to ask about the remarkable events that had taken place in the land, God withdrew from Hezekiah in order to test him and to see what was really in his heart. Hezekiah was delighted with the Babylonian envoys and showed them everything in his treasure-houses—the silver, the gold, the spices, and the aromatic oils. He also took them to see his armory and showed them everything in his royal treasuries! There was nothing in his palace or kingdom that Hezekiah did not show them.
- Allowing pride to take the forefront results in Hezekiah’s downfall.
Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, “Listen to this message from the Lord of Heaven’s Armies: ‘The time is coming when everything in your palace—all the treasures stored up by your ancestors until now—will be carried off to Babylon. Nothing will be left,’ says the Lord.
Application:
Pride goes before a fall! Hezekiah’s story is one that is continuously overshadowed by his demonstrations of pride.
Hezekiah is a God-fearing king who allows his steps to be ordered by the Lord. He struggles with one thorn, pride. Throughout his reign, God blesses him exponentially and heals him, adding 15 years to his life. When Babylonian envoys visits him to learn about the remarkable events that have occurred, God decides to test him. Hezekiah gets the opportunity to testify of God’s goodness. Instead, he lets his pride take the leading role and he fails his test miserably.
Throughout his time with the envoys, he focuses on showing off “his” kingdomly wealth and treasures, everything he owns. Eventually, this action and failure leads to the down fall of his kingdom.
Do not let your pride blind you to an opportunity to minister to others. God has been good to you, use every opportunity provided to let others know that you are successful because of His blessings, not your acts.
