And Isaiah said unto Hezekiah, Hear the word of the LORD.
Hezekiah was one of the few kings in Judah that removed the high places. He was influential in his leadership, right with God, and fervent in prayer. Facing the imminent threat of Assyria, he prayed, and God did the impossible. Though powerful and having laid siege to Jerusalem, God defeated the Assyrians, so they were never a threat to Judah again.
Shortly after, Hezekiah became ill. The prophet came to tell him his “shift” was through. He was to set his house in order and prepare to return home to God. But Hezekiah began to pray, and God granted him fifteen more years. What he did with them is an embarrassment. A decision he made after he should have been dead and buried cost his children the kingdom.
Knowing that he would misuse them, one might wonder why God would have granted him those years. I think the answer is that the Old Testament is meant to serve as a lesson for New Testament believers.[1] We should be careful not to judge God’s methods but to accept them and to learn from them.
Life isn’t all about now. Life is about eternity. Had Hezekiah died when God initially said, it would have been his reward. By begging for an “overtime shift” in this world of work, he soiled what otherwise would have been an unspotted testimony.
[1] Romans 15:4 (KJV)
For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
To my readers:
Thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.
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