2 Kings chapter 20 reminds me how hard it is to resist the desire to receive the praise of man. We face daily pressure to conform to what is “normal” to the world around us. The chapter begins with King Hezekiah becoming ill. This event apparently took place chronologically in the early part of his reign. The Bible often teaches lessons out of sequence. Perhaps, like in our own life, we don’t always recognize the significance of events until much later? The prophet Isaiah gave the king the Word of the Lord, “Put your house in order, because you are going to die; you will not recover“. Notice how the godly king reacted to the news, “Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord… And Hezekiah wept bitterly“. I do not believe these were tears of anger or fear, or even grief, but instead a demonstration that he was unrestrained before God. Are your prayers dry?
Next we read that before the prophet left the courtyard, God spoke to him. “Go back and tell Hezekiah… ‘The God of your father David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will heal you… I will add fifteen years to your life. And I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria. I will defend this city for my sake and for the sake of my servant David.’“. There are too many examples to mention where God hears the prayers of man and changes His mind. God loves to have fellowship with His children. It pleases Him when we come before Him with humility and praise. God does not always answer our prayers the way we expect, but we know God sees things from eternity’s perspective. It is also important to point out, Isaiah said, “Prepare a poultice of figs“. It seems that the prophet Isaiah believed God can heal through the medical procedures of the day.
The chapter continues, “The king of Babylon sent Hezekiah letters and a gift, because he had heard of Hezekiah’s illness“. Wow, a little recognition from his peers and the king is ready to prove he is worthy. Like an awkward teen, he reveals everything without any restraint. And we read, “Hezekiah received the messengers and showed them all that was in his storehouses the silver, the gold, the spices… everything found among his treasures. There was nothing… that Hezekiah did not show them“. I am convinced that there are some things that should remain hidden between you and God. I have done many things I am ashamed of in my life, yet I do not burden my children with them. God uses them to allow me to minister to others, but those sins were crucified with Christ. Isaiah the prophet recognized the error, “What did they see in your palace?” And the king says plainly, “There is nothing among my treasures that I did not show them“. And the prophet then pronounced the fall of Judah to the Babylonians. “The time will surely come when everything in your palace, and all that your fathers have stored up until this day, will be carried off to Babylon. Nothing will be left… some of your descendants, your own flesh and blood… will be taken away, and they will become eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon“. The chapter ends with a recap of the great accomplishments of Hezekiah, but we are left with the feeling that he started well, but was pulled off course by the desire to be accepted. Romans 12:2 reminds the mature Christian, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God“.