After sharing the other day about heading down the wrong path..(by the way, it’s not anything that would cause my relationship with the Lord or my family or anyone else for that matter to be jeopardized, just wrong priorities that make a difference in the direction our lives can head) I realized that I had not given many Biblical Models on what NOT to do. The Word of God is filled with wonderful Godly examples and stories for our benefit.
Many show lives that we can follow and Glorify God and many have lives that did not finish well. So I thought that I would just share one of the many that has touched my life and have made me re-think and re-prioritize and be more sensitive to God’s leading by His Spirit.
LET’S FINISH WELL!
King Hezekiah is one that stands out soo much for me. You can find the story of his life in 2 Kings Chapters 18-20
According to 2 Kings 18:3 When King Hezekiah became King he did what was right in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his father David had done.
- He removed the High Places (idols) 18:4
- He trusted in the Lord God 18:5
- The Lord was with him; he prospered wherever he went 18:7
- Even with his mistakes and the troubles brought to Israel he would repent…
- Hezekiah almost dies, but the Lord delivers him and heals him and he lives another 15 years (a miracle you should read about!)
Sounds like a good example for us doesn’t it? But unfortunately he did not finish well…. He became prideful at the end of his life. Even to the point of showing off all of Israel’s storehouse of gold and silver, spices and precious ointments, and all his armory – all that was found among his treasures… To the Enemies!! There was nothing in his house or in all his dominion that Hezekiah did not show them…(the enemies!)
WHAT! These are the enemies folks! So the Prophet Isaiah comes to Hezekiah and tells him that all of the treasures that he showed the enemies would someday be carried off by the enemy…He also told Hezekiah that they would “take away some of his sons who will descend from you..whom you gave birth..and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon”….because of King Hezekiah’s foolishness!
Did you hear that my friends..Eunuchs..that means castration so that there would be no Male urges..umm..don’t ask me how they did that in those days..but it was done! AND it would be done to King Hezekiah’s own son’s generations down the road!
Here is the answer King Hezekiah gave…it haunts me…
So Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “The word of the Lord which you have spoken is good!” For he said, “Will there not be peace and truth at least in my days?” 20:19
I could ball my eyes out when I think of the selfishness of this statement! The selfishness that I have had in my own life without the foresight to look ahead at what my children would have to deal with because of my own foolishness if I did not repent!
Stop now and meditate on King Hezekiah’s words…
I don’t know about you…but I want to finish well. I want to see down that path and put a STOP to the foolishness that would cause my children or anyone else to stumble to pay the consequences of my sin…long after I am gone!
What about you? Without judging poor King Hezekiah, what do you think went wrong that he would make such foolish decisions?
I see this somewhat selfish statement Shari, I want to finish well too, and leave a legacy for others to follow in.
Ugochi recently posted..SUNDAY WORSHIP
Awww yes Ugochi…and you are definately doing a great job my friend!! Blessings today!
Thank you for reviewing this story. I love it. Here, in Utah, a common quote is ‘return with honor.’ I think that goes along with what you are saying. It is not a difficult path, unless we choose to wander.
Donna recently posted..Spotlight – Part 3 – Harry Potter Books 5 and 6
Unfortunately, King Hezekiah (just like so many of us) lost his focus, became prideful, and forgot to give the Lord credit when it was due….
While his staement in 2 Kings 20:19 may appear to sound very selfish, I believe that he was acknowledging God’s goodness in not destroying Jerusalem and/or Israel in his “days” or lifetime.
Yes, being captives and eunuchs would be extremely difficult, but God’s judgement could have been so much more worse than that. Perhaps King Hezekiah was just looking for that proverbial “silver lining” in the gloomy prophesy about his descendents?
Still….it’s a very good lesson for us to remember….we must be faithful and persevere until the end….
Hi Deb! I love your perspective on the story..seeing the best in everyone..yes I think we could all become like King Hezehiah and yet things could have been sooo much worse..God is so merciful in his judgements and yes I’m sure King Hezekiah was probably saddened by the judgement but still trying to see that silver lining
Which is not a bad thing..thanks for stopping by Deb! You are a BLESSING!! 