Introduction: 1. The final episode recorded in the Bible of Hezekiah’s life is not complimentary, but rather reports a great folly of Hezekiah a. His folly consisted of showing off all his wealth to some ambassadors from Babylon b. It is an episode that we wish was not in his records, for we like our heroes to be unblemished c. But the Bible does not cover sin to appease our wishes d. If this episode was not reported in God’s Word, then we might lose much helpful instruction 2. This last episode emphasizes the problem of pride a. Ambassadors from Babylon came to visit Hezekiah and he was ensnared in the folly of pride when he showed off his possessions b. Being ensnared by pride is not uncommon c. It is easy to be filled with pride and this can destroy one’s life and character 3. Pride causes people to fall into many foolish acts of conduct
I. Prompting of the Folly – vs 12-13 o Some important factors prompted this folly of pride in Hezekiah A. Achievement 12a At that time… 1. “At that time” was a time of great achievement for Hezekiah politically and physically 2. Politically he had experienced success over Assyria thanks to God’s gracious and miraculous intervention 3. Physically he had been healed of a very serious disease which included receiving a great sign from God 4. Achievements, though noble and great, can be dangerous times in our lives in the area of pride 5. “The sunshine of prosperity is a greater danger than the storms of adversity.” a) The enemies are gone -- The disease is gone b) The thought of God fades from his heart c) He receives congratulations and flatteries d) Dignitaries and officials travel great distances to meet him e) The habits of prayer and communing with God disappear 6. Let the world smile on us and fortune favor us and let riches increase, let friends spring up on both sides and how few of us can stand the sunshine 7. The battle is often less perilous than the victory
B. Attention 12b… Berodachbaladan, the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present unto Hezekiah: for he had heard that Hezekiah had been sick. 1. “At that time” was also a time of great attention for Hezekiah 2. Because of his great achievements, he had gain world-wide attention and fame 2Ch 32:23b …so that he was magnified in the sight of all nations from thenceforth. 3. This attention resulted in the visit by the ambassadors from Babylon 4. They arrived with a letter and present from the king of Babylon who heard that Hezekiah had been sick and had recovered 5. Hezekiah was used to humbling experiences but now things have changed 6. Attention and popularity can be a great snare a) Beware when the world wants to honor and exalt you b) Beware of worldly popularity
C. Affluence 1. Wealth is frequently a great problem for humility 2. Those who are wealthy often become proud and like to show off their wealth – 2Chr 32:22 3. Wealth is not evil in itself 4. God’s blessings must be cared for wisely or they become a curse
D. Agents 13a And Hezekiah hearkened unto them, and shewed them all the house of his precious things… o The agents came to Hezekiah for 4 reasons 1. These ambassadors came because Hezekiah had been sick and recovered Isa 39:1 2. They came to investigate the sign that had occurred 2Ch 32:31 Howbeit in [the business of] the ambassadors of the princes of Babylon, who sent unto him to enquire of the wonder that was [done] in the land… . 3. They came to gain the support of an alliance 4. They also wanted to spy on Hezekiah a) Spying was a common part of the foreign policy of nations b) Visiting ambassadors were expected to do some spying c) Remember that Joseph accused his brothers of spying d) In his eagerness to receive these visitors, Hezekiah dropped his guard
E. Abandonment 2Ch 32:31 Howbeit in [the business of] the ambassadors of the princes of Babylon, who sent unto him to enquire of the wonder that was [done] in the land, God left him, to try him, that he might know all [that was] in his heart. 1. God left Hezekiah on his own to reveal the pride in Hez’s heart 2. When God left Hez, the great pride in his heart was unrestrained 3. God sometimes leaves us to ourselves to show us how deficient we are in spiritual strength 4. In such times, we need to learn anew that unless God is our strength, we will not be able to live the Christian life victoriously
II. Probing of the Folly – vs 14-15 o Shortly after the ambassadors had seen the wealth God ordered a probing into this action by Hezekiah A. Person Doing the Probing 14a Then came Isaiah the prophet unto king Hezekiah… 1. God gave Isaiah the prophet another assignment to visit Hezekiah a) This assignment is not an easy one b) It is easy to take –pleasant messages, but not so easy to take unpleasant ones c) Isaiah had been faithful in delivering God’s message previously telling Hezekiah that his sickness was fatal 2. Here Isaiah must indict the king and this is not very popular with kings 3. Micaiah was put on a diet of bread and water when he gave King Ahab a message that he didn’t want 4. John the Baptist was eventually beheaded because his message on divorce and remarriage was not to the liking of King Herod
B. Particulars of the Probing o Three important questions are asked here 1. What Did They Say? 14 Then came Isaiah the prophet unto king Hezekiah, and said unto him, What said these men? … a) Hezekiah did not answer this question b) Probably the conversation included talk of an alliance c) Babylon was a weak nation at this time trying to break away from Assyria d) Babylon would like an alliance with Judah who had just defeated the Assyrians e) Hezekiah knew that Isaiah would be opposed to an alliance with a heathen nation like Babylon so he didn’t mention it f) This silence condemns Hezekiah g) Previously, Hezekiah had been anxious for God to know all that was going on 2. What is Their State? – vs 14 a) Hezekiah readily answered this question for it would reflect honor on him b) Coming from a far country increased the honor for Hezekiah c) It said that Hezekiah’s fame had become very great d) The obvious pride in the answer did condemn Hezekiah 3. What Did They See? – vs 15 a) Answering this question was very condemning for Hezekiah b) This answer really reveals the pride of Hezekiah c) If someone visited your house, what would they see? d) A godly environment or a worldly environment? e) God, of course, sees all
III. Penalty for the Folly – vs 16-18 o After Hezekiah answered the questions, Isaiah gave Hezekiah a stern message of rebuke o Isaiah also told Hezekiah of the penalty for his sin A. The Source of the Penalty 16 And Isaiah said unto Hezekiah, Hear the word of the LORD. 1. The source of the penalty was the Word of God 2. Because of this, the penalty was authoritative, certain, holy, just 3. “Hear the Word of the Lord” was usually said by prophets who were about to deliver solemn rebuke or condemnation 4. We need to be diligent to hear the Word of God a) This involves more than just hearing the Word b) It also involves obeying
B. The Specifics of the Penalty o God’s message concerning the penalty for Hezekiah’s folly was twofold 1. Parting of the wealth 17 Behold, the days come, that all that [is] in thine house, and that which thy fathers have laid up in store unto this day, shall be carried into Babylon: nothing shall be left, saith the LORD. a) All that Hezekiah was proud of would be taken b) This was fulfilled with Nebuchadnezzar invaded Jerusalem and took all the wealth c) Many folk lose wealth because of sin d) Many are on our welfare rolls because of some sin – drugs, gambling, booze, immorality e) That Babylon would carry everything away was an amazing prophecy f) No human foresight could have envisioned such a reversal g) God’s promises may seem impossible but they are certain and the power of God will accomplish them 2. Placement of sons 18 And of thy sons that shall issue from thee, which thou shalt beget, shall they take away; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon. a) Sons here refers to descendents not necessarily literal sons b) Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah would probably fit this prediction c) Sin leaves a long trail of harmful effects on society even to the 4th or 5th generations
C. Submission to the Penalty 19 Then said Hezekiah unto Isaiah, Good [is] the word of the LORD which thou hast spoken. And he said, [Is it] not [good], if peace and truth be in my days? o Hezekiah submitted nobly to the message from Isaiah 1. The Honor Expressed in the Submission a) “Good is the Word of the Lord” b) Here is a grand statement regarding the Word of God c) Hezekiah called it “good” and no word is as “good” as God’s Word d) No one minds if you call Ps 23 good, but call some of the other passages “good” and the world gets upset 2. The Humility Expressed in the Submission a) Saying that the Word of God was “good” when it strongly rebuked him, showed humility b) He was a king, but he did not argue with Isaiah at all c) Some kings railed on prophets who told the truth 2Ch 32:26 Notwithstanding Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart… d) This humility says that the repentance of Hezekiah was genuine e) If a church disciplines a member and the member is vocal about the discipline then it is evidence that the repentance is not genuine 3. The Hope Embraced in the Submission 19 Then said Hezekiah unto Isaiah, Good [is] the word of the LORD which thou hast spoken. And he said, [Is it] not [good], if peace and truth be in my days? a) Though the judgment was great, Hez did not give in to despair b) He saw hope for at least he would have peace and truth or continuance c) Hezekiah was showing gratitude for the grace that was shown in the judgment d) When circumstances get bad, look for the good things that still remain and give God praise for them
IV. Performance After the Folly – vs 19-21 o Remember that not every year of his life is detailed for us o Just the high spots are covered o We want to look at a few verses that summarize the rest of Hezekiah’s life A. His Conquering 20a And the rest of the acts of Hezekiah, and all his might… 1. This speaks of the conquering power of Hezekiah 2. Hezekiah was mighty in conquering after showing off his wealth 3. After the defeat of Sennacharib by God’s power, Hezekiah’s power and popularity grew 4. He did not conquer any new lands in the last half of his reign, but that fact that Judah was not attacked showed they had enough power to discourage invaders 5. Remember that Hezekiah’s might was a result of God’s blessing 6. If we have any achievement, the credit goes to God
B. His Conduct 2Ch 32:32a Now the rest of the acts of Hezekiah, and his goodness… 1. More important that his might was his manners 2. It is a great honor to be cited for goodness rather than greatness 3. Here we see the excellent character of Hezekiah 4. This reflects his devotion to the Lord and his general excellent behavior
C. His Conduit 20b …and how he made a pool, and a conduit, and brought water into the city, [are] they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah? 1. One of the great achievements of Hezekiah was the construction of a tunnel through solid rock to bring water into Jerusalem 2. The tunnel has a length of 1708 feet 3. Workers began at each end and tunneled toward each other and met somewhere in the middle 4. An engineering marvel 5. Jerusalem needed an adequate supply of water during time of war
D. His Conclusion 21 And Hezekiah slept with his fathers: and Manasseh his son reigned in his stead. 2Ch 32:33 And Hezekiah slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the chiefest of the sepulchres of the sons of David… 1. Location of his grave a) He was buried in the chiefest of the royal sepulchers b) “Chiefest” is the masculine form of “degrees” or “steps” c) Hezekiah was buried near the steps up to the graves of David’s sons or he was buried a few steps above the sons 2. The Lauding of the People 33b …and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem did him honour at his death. And Manasseh his son reigned in his stead. a) All the people of Judah honored Hezekiah at his death b) Well they should, for his relationship with God resulted in great blessing for the people
E. His Crown 21 And Hezekiah slept with his fathers: and Manasseh his son reigned in his stead. 1. What a shame that Manasseh took over as king 2. The crown of Hezekiah was inherited by his son 3. Almost anyone could have done a better job than Manasseh 4. He was a most wicked king, though he did repent toward the end of his life 5. His wickedness left a terrible wound on Judah 6. Hezekiah had been a godly son of a wicked father, but Manasseh was a wicked son of a godly father