home > Pastor’s Desk > 2020 > May > THE TRAGEDY OF KING HEZEKIAH’S LAST FIFTEEN YEARS

THE TRAGEDY OF KING HEZEKIAH’S LAST FIFTEEN YEARS

The world empire of Assyria had recently conquered Israel to the north of Judah. Many Israelites had been slaughtered and many more had been deported into exile to Assyria. Now the Assyrians were making the intentions known to the Kingdom of Judah, where Hezekiah, the descendent of King David now reigned. The mighty Assyrian Emperor sent his emissary to Jerusalem to invite them to surrender too before being slaughtered if they refused—they even put it in writing!

2Kings 19:1 ¶ As soon as King Hezekiah heard it, he tore his clothes and covered himself with sackcloth and went into the house of the LORD.

The LORD heard King Hezekiah’s prayer and sent the Prophet Isaiah to him.

2Kings 19:32 ¶ “Therefore thus says the LORD concerning the king of Assyria: He shall not come into this city or shoot an arrow there, or come before it with a shield or cast up a siege mound against it.

 

ISAIAH’S PROPHETIC WORD DRAMATICALLY FULFILLED!

2Kings 19:35 ¶ And that night the angel of the LORD went out and struck down 185,000 in the camp of the Assyrians. And when people arose early in the morning, behold, these were all dead bodies.

King Hezekiah’s had just experienced one of the most miraculous acts of deliverance in Israel’s history! To top it off, when Emperor Sennacherib returned he suffered a humiliating death.

Then Sennacherib king of Assyria departed and went home and lived at Nineveh. And as he was worshiping in the house of Nisroch his god, Adrammelech and Sharezer, his sons, struck him down with the sword and escaped into the land of Ararat. And Esarhaddon his son reigned in his place.
Second Kings 19:36-37 

How did King Hezekiah respond after experiencing such a dramatic answer to his prayers and witnessing an extraordinary act of miraculous deliverance? We can only surmise. But if history is anything to go by, then Hezekiah may have responded over time in the way that most such recipients have responded. History almost universally reveals that a person’s spiritual state is inversely proportional to their level of material success and popular acclaim. I cite two examples who immediately support my point: King Solomon, and, Jesus of Nazareth. Perhaps it was God’s grace then that Lord announced to Hezekiah that he was about to die soon.

2Kings 20:1 ¶ In those days Hezekiah became sick and was at the point of death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came to him and said to him, “Thus says the LORD, ‘Set your house in order, for you shall die; you shall not recover.’” 

What happened next is one of the most powerful examples of what worship truly is. We see positive examples of a worshipful response to God’s voice in such godly people as Mary, the mother of Jesus. 

And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.
Luke 1:38

But Hezekiah’s response stands as a biblical warning to all those who seek to be true worshipers of God. His response indicates that there was a growing amount of undetected arrogance in his heart. We some of this same kind of arrogance in Samson who had also become used to experiencing God’s deliverance of him. In his arrogance he ignored God’s Law and pursued the satisfaction of his sensual desires. When he had all but abandoned God and his pledge of obedience to Him, he arrogantly continued to assume that God would continue to deliver him from his enemies. 

And she said, “The Philistines are upon you, Samson!” And he awoke from his sleep and said, “I will go out as at other times and shake myself free.” But he did not know that the LORD had left him.
Judges 16:20  

The Lord heard King Hezekiah’s prayer and once again sent the beloved prophet Isaiah to him. “Turn back, and say to Hezekiah the leader of my people, Thus says the LORD, the God of David your father: I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Behold, I will heal you. On the third day you shall go up to the house of the LORD” (2Kings 20:5).

2Kings 20:6 and I will add fifteen years to your life. I will deliver you and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria, and I will defend this city for my own sake and for my servant David’s sake.”

After the Lord answered King Hezekiah’s prayer, Hezekiah and Judah entered into a time of blessing and peace. But, Ezra tells us in the parallel account in Second Chronicles, that the previously undetected pride in Hezekiah’s heart went unchecked after the Lord answered his prayer to be healed and have his life extended.

But Hezekiah did not make return according to the benefit done to him, for his heart was proud. Therefore wrath came upon him and Judah and Jerusalem.
Second Chronicles 32:25 

And so in the matter of the envoys of the princes of Babylon, who had been sent to him to inquire about the sign that had been done in the land, God left him to himself, in order to test him and to know all that was in his heart. -Second Chronicles 32:31¶ And Hezekiah had very great riches and honor, and he made for himself treasuries for silver, for gold, for precious stones, for spices, for shields, and for all kinds of costly vessels; storehouses also for the yield of grain, wine, and oil; and stalls for all kinds of cattle, and sheepfolds. He likewise provided cities for himself, and flocks and herds in abundance, for God had given him very great possessions. And so in the matter of the envoys of the princes of Babylon, who had been sent to him to inquire about the sign that had been done in the land, God left him to himself, in order to test him and to know all that was in his heart.
Second Chronicles 32:27-31

 

NOT EVEN REPENTANCE UNDOES CONSEQUENCES

Repentance leads to forgiveness but it rarely undoes the resultant consequences of a person’s sin. The sins of Hezekiah’s last fifteen years had a disastrous impact on Judah. The tragic depths of his spiritual decline are seen in his boastful hospitality toward the Babylonian emissaries who visited him on behalf of their king to supposedly wish him a speedy recovery.  Rather than see the obvious threat this made to national security, King Hezekiah—in almost ‘Samsonesque’ arrogance—actually showed them the national and royal treasures, and where they could be found!   

2Kings 20:13 And Hezekiah welcomed them, and he showed them all his treasure house, the silver, the gold, the spices, the precious oil, his armory, all that was found in his storehouses. There was nothing in his house or in all his realm that Hezekiah did not show them.

The damage that the final 15 years of King Hezekiah’s life and reign did to the destiny of Judah was staggering!

Then Isaiah the prophet came to King Hezekiah, and said to him, “What did these men say? And from where did they come to you?” And Hezekiah said, “They have come from a far country, from Babylon.” He said, “What have they seen in your house?” And Hezekiah answered, “They have seen all that is in my house; there is nothing in my storehouses that I did not show them.” ¶ Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, “Hear the word of the LORD: Behold, the days are coming, when all that is in your house, and that which your fathers have stored up till this day, shall be carried to Babylon. Nothing shall be left, says the LORD. And some of your own sons, who will come from you, whom you will father, shall be taken away, and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.”
Second Kings 20:14-18

Bizarrely, when the prophet Isaiah revealed to King Hezekiah the damage that would unfold because of the King’s foolishness, Hezekiah responded, ““The word of the LORD that you have spoken is good.” For he thought, “Why not, if there will be peace and security in my days?”” His complete lack of concern for his unholy legacy and the destiny of his descendants is bewildering. When a child of God is indifferent to the consequences of their choices on successive generations, or when their lack of action in taking steps to prevent evil in society, it is a pathetic sight. (This is why we in Tasmania need every believer to care about the future of our State and why we need to take the necessary steps to withstand evil in our society —especially when it is smuggled into culture through the halls of Parliament!)

2Kings 20:19 Then Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “The word of the LORD that you have spoken is good.” For he thought, “Why not, if there will be peace and security in my days?”

THE DAMAGE FROM KING HEZEKIAH’S LAST 15 YEARS

 

But they did not listen, and Manasseh led them astray to do more evil than the nations had done whom the LORD destroyed before the people of Israel. “Because Manasseh king of Judah has committed these abominations and has done things more evil than all that the Amorites did, who were before him, and has made Judah also to sin with his idols … ¶ Moreover, Manasseh shed very much innocent blood, till he had filled Jerusalem from one end to another, besides the sin that he made Judah to sin so that they did what was evil in the sight of the LORD.
Second Kings 21:9, 11, 16

“Because Manasseh king of Judah has committed these abominations and has done things more evil than all that the Amorites did, who were before him, and has made Judah also to sin with his idols … He walked in all the way in which his father walked and served the idols that his father served and worshiped them.
Second Kings 21:11, 21

And he carried away Jehoiachin to Babylon. The king’s mother, the king’s wives, his officials, and the chief men of the land he took into captivity from Jerusalem to Babylon. And the king of Babylon brought captive to Babylon all the men of valor, 7,000, and the craftsmen and the metal workers, 1,000, all of them strong and fit for war. And the king of Babylon made Mattaniah, Jehoiachin’s uncle, king in his place, and changed his name to Zedekiah. For because of the anger of the LORD it came to the point in Jerusalem and Judah that he cast them out from his presence. ¶ And Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon.
Second Kings 24:15-17, 20

 

WHAT TASMANIAN CHRISTIANS SHOULD LEARN FROM THE LAST 15 YEARS OF HEZEKIAH

1. We Are More Inclined To Pray & Seek God When We Have a Fight On Our Hands.

2. Times of ‘Blessing & Peace’ Are Often More Dangerous Than Times of Trial.

3. ’Batons’ Should Be Passed, Not Dropped, Which Requires Intention & Training Of The Next Generation.

 

 

Your pastor,

Andrew

63 Comments

  1. Richard BRUNNING

    Thank’s Andrew, Bless you in God’s wider sense of the word. Richard B.

    Reply
    • legana

      Thank you Richard!
      -Andrew C.

      Reply
      • Femi Arilewola

        Thank you for the indepth teaching. I am richly blessed.

        Reply
        • Tayo Yemi

          This is awesome.
          It’s an eye opener message.

          Reply
    • Samuel

      God bless you.this is great

      Reply
      • Joan Mattis

        I truly enjoyed and was inspired by this Article.
        May God bless you Pastor.

        Reply
    • Mimi Johnson

      This was so edifying to me
      More depths in the Word sir.

      Reply
      • Nehemiah Wanyama

        Thanks alot 🙏

        Reply
        • Ozie Curry

          Wow! I will exercise of not doing what Hezekiah turned into, going to the Throne asking sincerely for Yahweh to create in me a clean heart and a meek and humble spirit 🙌🏿 ❤

          Reply
          • Wanga finny

            Thanks alot. Infact, I have learned that , we should just allow the will of God to happen in our life. Hezekiah would have not been in such a situation if the years were not added to him.

      • Vahnu

        Thanks God bless you more and more.

        Reply
        • AZT

          How sure are we that the prayers was what actually added 15yrs into his life.
          Did Hezekiah die immediately after the 15yrs

          Reply
          • Ron

            another side to this is sometimes the Lord has to expand the curtains in life. Perhaps Hezekiah was going to live 15 years anyway. I’ve seen people live 10 or 20 years beyond the original diagnosis

          • Ozie Curry

            Sounds like you need help with your doubt.

      • Genesis

        Thanks pastor Andrew for rightely dividing the word of truth and clear references in scriptures

        Reply
        • White Xolani Nowata

          I’m for this information about Hezekiah, Juda and Israel

          Reply
        • Joas

          Thank you. God bless you

          Reply
      • Festus Mutisya

        Thank you. This story, and the teachings around it, has never been clearer. God bless you

        Reply
    • Antony Somba

      Powerful insights

      Reply
      • Ozie C Curry

        Sounds like there are many doubters on here who need help with their doubts and fears.

        Reply
      • Alan Choy

        Very biblical. Thanks 👍 Richard

        Reply
    • Aderonke Tayo-Tiwo

      Thank you for the eye opening truths and indepth teaching!

      Reply
    • Alan Choy

      Very biblical

      Reply
    • Oral

      Thanks a lot, Pastor Andrew.

      Reply
    • JUDITH STEVENS

      I was studying 1 Cor. 3:11-15 and the name of King Hezekiah popped in my mind and so I once again goin thru n I came accross your teaching, I was truly truly bless by the way you had illustrated the whole situation. My many thanks Pastor Andrew. More power to you, in Christ JESUS’ Name. Amen.

      Reply
    • Glenn B.

      Your arguement of Hezikiah’s pride is still sound but inference of his motive is required.
      Your admonition is perfect though.
      I was searching out “downside” of Hezikiah’s healing. . .but so deeply troubled by manasseh’s abhorrent race into sin after Hezikiah’s sweeping spiritual reforms.
      I am at least a little comforted with your position that young Manesseh’s impressionable years were polluted by Hezikiah’s spiritual slipping. It is unimaginable to think manesseh had a stellar spiritual model & then flipped to utter contempt for the Lord.

      Thank you for your reasoned explanation & admonition to be super careful when one’s guard is being lowered.

      Reply
    • PAUL BOSCO NJUBO

      Thanks for the transforming message, may The Lord continue expanding your ministry. May we continue to learn that we are inscribed on the palms of God’s Hands; And so our walls have to continually be set before Him. ~Isaiah 49:16

      Reply
    • Ksheldon

      Beautiful teaching!
      Thank you

      Reply
    • Gift

      Afternoon sir

      My name is agent gift from harcourts mossel bay, south Africa 🌍
      My cell phone number is 0670644425
      Is The a Way that I can call you, coZ I More information about the bad things happended in The last 15 years

      Reply
    • Rose Barnhill

      What a beautiful presentation on hezekiah filled with holy spirit insights.
      I am delighted and blessed in how you assembled this great story

      Reply
  2. John Tessy

    Thanks ANDREW, MORE WISDOM AND UNDERSTANDING.

    Reply
  3. ODABOR REBECCA

    Thanks for the eye opener Sir, what a lifetime lesson learnt from Hezekiah’s 15 years of mistakes!

    Reply
    • kendal Toppar

      GOD BLESS YOU FOR THIS.🙏

      Reply
      • legana

        Thank you Kendal!

        Reply
        • Jennifer Somuah

          Kendal shared the link,and it has blessed my life👏👏God bless You

          Reply
  4. Diane Sims

    Such a timely word for America. Thank you

    Reply
  5. Samuel Ogbobula

    Thanks so much for this insightful exposition.

    Reply
  6. Aurora Dela Cruz

    Thank you so much for a very clear explanation . So touched and inspired by God’s word. Bless you

    Reply
  7. Michael Oti Wiredu

    God bless you Pastor. You are blessed.

    Reply
    • Kevwe

      Hmm. This scripture is scary.
      The man I want to marry said God asked him not to marry me, that there will be a looming divorce in 10 years.
      Does God hate me? Or intend that I stay married only 10 years?.
      Is there a way out?

      Reply
      • Moses

        @Kevwe,

        God does not hate you. In fact, you are special to Him. You only need to know that He is not an author of confusion and His will is the best ever.

        There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death. Prov. 14:12

        God’s Ways are Not Our Ways.

        Isaiah 55:8-9; James 1:2-5 and Philippians 4:4-7 emphasize several truths we need to know and be reminded of.

        God is infinite–we are finite. He knows the end from the beginning while we see just a short part of the now. He knows the whys, while we grasp for wisdom.

        All we need to do is to learn how to surrender to, and do His will. And this can only be possible when we know Him, walk with Him, and commune with Him.

        I hope this comment is not too late!

        Reply
      • Francis

        Good day my dear, According to what you said if it was true that God revealed such to him about divorce in ten years time, then pray and ask God for directions to your own husband. Because if God gives you your own husband in all situations and challenges the grace to endure and overcome will be made available.

        Reply
  8. Moradeyo ojo ebenezer

    Thanks for the words of knowledge, more grace from holy Spirit.

    Reply
  9. Ben Adewale

    Two major lessons;
    1- Isaiah 57:1
    When God says it’s time, learn to respect that call.

    2- Showing off your accomplishment only gets you self appraisal but is it with God’s approval?

    Reply
  10. Henry Akinniyi

    This is very powerful.
    God bless you sir

    Reply
  11. Gabriel McSunny Okoye

    Where God is, our lives are like a movie that somebody has seen from the very beginning to the end. Our future is in His past.
    So we should learn to always respect God’s decision at all times, knowing that He sees the end from the very beginning.
    Moses made similar . mistake of not allowing God’s decision to hold, when God asked him to step aside, so that He might wipe out the incurably rebellious then generation of the Israelites, so that He would raise another through him -Moses, and he wouldn’t. And it later cost him not entering the Promised Land. Still, the whole of that generation didn’t enter it.
    Thank you for the exposition sir

    Reply
  12. Hildah

    This was really helpful thanks.

    Reply
  13. Bishop Greg Stevenson

    I have been powerfully blessed with the favor of God’s presence even to the appearing of Jesus Christ on several occasions yet I was not obedient the heavenly visitation that warned me to change the service that would cause me to have an unqualified doctor adjust my back. I knew the dream was from the Lord but I didn’t take the time and resources to solve the dream and casually went to an appointment Monday morning to an osteopath in Nice, France and had my thoracic spine injured at T7 & T8 which almost paralyzed me. The Lord has been using this injury as a thorn in my flesh to keep me from being conceited about the revelations He had given me about the soon coming of for the Church on Rosh Hashanah. I said I would trust Him to take care of my back and I did for 8 months but when I had opportunity I went to a new Chiropractor and it was an affront to God. I repented but will still pay the consequences and He will take me soon and I will not be able to go on the Rapture. I have been in ministry for almost 42 years. The word of the Lord was good and I will soon be call home. I will not make the same mistake of Hezekiah. Excellent commentary. Be blessed of the Lord !!

    Reply
  14. Gary

    So if Hezekiah did die without heirs to the throne his mother would probably be queen ( like Athaliah) , He disrupted Gods perfect will and so God instead gave His permissive will

    Reply
  15. Craig

    Well spoken and you have an excellent grasp of the parallel’s to our time. God grant us to humbly walk with Him. To humble ourselves and seek Him, especially in the good times, that we may reap the consequences of that kind of life in the bad times.
    Your brother-in-Christ in USA.

    Reply
  16. philomena inyang

    Thanks so much for this explanation. I have learnt a lot from this. We need to apply to the govt of today.

    Reply
  17. Elijah

    Thank you for this enriching insight.

    Reply
  18. Kobi from kenya

    When it’s God’s time it’s His time, Dear God help me understand your timing, your will and perfect plan for my life according to how God you intended it to be. I am trusting you with your timing at my place of work and the opportunities that only You can reveal to me. I am also trusting you in the journey to dating and marriage.Reveal the man you’ve intended for me at your own due time.
    God bless you for this revelation

    Reply
  19. Bernice

    This was insightful! Thank you, Pastor.

    Reply
  20. Odoemelem P

    God bless you Andrew, this is so inspiring.

    Reply
  21. Joseph Emmett

    I hope you are NOT saying that Manasseh’s birth was a punishment, I have heard so many preachers parrot this BADLY CRAFTED sermon. It shows that the person parroting this has not really done the heavy lifting required to preach the word. First off David’s line had to be preserved so Manasseh’s birth had to have happened. Second Manasseh was the opposite of his father in that he was doing evil but repented. God rejoices at the one who repents. So this Manasseh bashing and watch what you pray for is a biblical non fit with Hezakiah’s prayer. Its like the silliness of those who say David was a bad father not realizing who they are talking about. David’s family problems were not because of his bad parenting so called but because of his sin with Bathsheba as god said David would always have trouble in his home because of his adultery and killing of her husband Uriah.

    Reply
  22. Vijay Swaroop Singh

    Passing the baton of faith and not dropping it – is a wonderful thought.

    Reply
  23. Piangun Dakup

    Thanks so much for this. God bless you richly Amen 🙏

    Reply
  24. JUDITH STEVENS

    I was studying 1 Cor. 3:11-15 and the name of King Hezekiah popped in my mind and so I once again goin thru n I came accross your teaching, I was truly truly bless by the way you had illustrated the whole situation. My many thanks Pastor Andrew. More power to you, in Christ JESUS’ Name. Amen.

    Reply
  25. Rinda Brannon

    This has been so helpful to me. I have pondered in my heart the question “ What am I doing with the time God has given me from when my life was spared?” I’m sure we all have had times in our lives when we were close to death in some way, (if not physically, then spiritually.) God has given us all chance after chance. I pray God gives me wisdom to use my time to honor Him, to get pride and other sin out of my life, to see when I’m not where I need to be, and to love others as I love myself. I pray that God lead me and help me to spend every waking moment to serve Him and others. Thank you for sharing His word.

    Reply
  26. Moses Sunday

    I have been draining spiritually, my stumblingly into this at a time like this is a divine direction. thank you for availing yourself for God by putting these here. God Bless You. I love you all

    Reply

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HE WAS A KIND AND CHARITABLE MAN

home > Pastor's Desk > 2024 > March 22ndr > He was a kind and charitable man.WHO WAS KENNETH TYNAN? You’ve probably never heard of Kenneth Tynan. I hadn’t. I was introduced to him while conducting some research for my current PhD program on C.S. Lewis. In...

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For several reasons I am qualified to help people deal with acute and chronic pain. Some acute and chronic pain can be resolved medically. Some pains can go a long way to being resolved with the help of a psychologist. Some pains can be resolved with a hug from mum. But there is a pain that a doctor cannot cure, a psychologist cannot counsel, a mother’s hug cannot alleviate. It is a pain that goes deep – beyond the defences of our integumentary system, our neurological system (including our para-sympathetic nervous system), our muscular system, our skeletal system, our lymphatic system, our renal system, gastro-intestinal system, our respiratory system, our cardio-vascular system, our hormonal system, and our half-share of a reproductive system. It is a pain that wounds: our memory, our sense of self, our estimation of our worth, our confidence, and our ability to connect meaningfully with others (our ability to love and be loved). It is the pain of rejection. It not only effects who we are (our identity) but it also leaches symptomatically into each of these ten-and-a-half biological systems which every human being possesses. I am going to offer all those who have experienced the pain of rejection how they can be healed from its wound, and actually become stronger, wiser, more confident, as a result.

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I’ve accidentally found myself enrolled in a Ph.D. program. I kind of blame Associate Professor Stuart Piggin for this. A few years ago I was having some serious discussions with him about doing a Ph.D. in Historical Theology at Macquarie University focusing on the contribution of Dr. F.W. Boreham. But I found myself unable at that time to proceed. In my discussions with him about my health prognosis and what I wanted to be able to do in the remaining time that I have left, he suggested focusing instead on Philosophical-Theology and enquiring with Monash University. I took his sage advice and did as he said. This week, I formally commenced with Monash as a part-time extension (distance) student. The result is that after my first zoom meeting with my supervisor I am now having to delve into an arena that requires me to be able to convince a critical secular audience that my proposal about the Bible’s truth claims are reasonable. Oddly, in order to do this, I have to explain in some depth what C.S. Lewis meant by the word, myth. And to do this I have to draw even deeper on the writings of a now dead French philosopher who is regarded as the greatest exponent of what a myth is! Therefore, I am going to tell you something quite shocking. It might be advisable for you to go and get a strong cup of tea, then return to this screen, and read on while sipping your tea, to absorb some of what I am going to tell you. 

Follow Me AS I FOLLOW JESUS

We all walk a path in life that is set before us. We start with very little experience and knowledge about the purpose of our life and the world beyond us. All of humanity experiences joy, wisdom, strength, weakness, suffering and hardship, especially those who are “contending for the faith”. Knowing Jesus is a very special part of this life journey.

A CERTAIN GOD

We can be reasonably certain about many things. In fact, without this certainty about life, none of us could function. We can be certain that tonight the sun will ‘set’. Tomorrow the sun will ‘rise’. After the February 28th it will be February 29th. This year there will be international unrest and much political instability in many parts of the world. In the coming months global warming will be identified by politicians as the source of floods and wildfires. Several high profile international celebrities will die this year. Archaeologists will make a discovery that will require some aspects of history to be rewritten. And you will certainly have one of the most memorable moments in your life in the coming days. You see, there are clearly some things we can be quite certain about. However, there are some aspects about our future that we cannot be certain about, yet in those moments we can be certain about what we should do.

LOW COST LIVING

Turn on any TV or radio news lately and there’s bound to be a story about the current “cost of living crisis”. We all feel it. Initially most people accepted the widespread price-rises were caused by 2020-21 pandemic lockdowns. But whatever the reasons for the rapid price hikes over the past two years, every time we go to the supermarket we feel it again. While governments are striving to curb the impact of this cost of living crisis, there remains a way to enjoy low cost living. The key to this is recognising that the most valuable things in life are literally priceless. The path to enjoying low-cost living is to be found in Christ, and what He taught — and it begins with treasure.

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