Asking
Unknowing

Judgment. We trust ours and that those in positions of authority would have good judgment, true vision in abundance. Doesn’t always seem to end that way. You believe in the wisdom of your leader and after years of faithful following, right judgments, you are blindsided by failure in the most basics.

Hezekiah was one of the more notable kings of Judah leading with righteousness.

Hezekiah began to reign when he was twenty-five years old, and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Abijah the daughter of Zechariah.
And he did what was right in the eyes of the Lᴏʀᴅ, according to all that David his father had done. ¹

Second Chronicles proceeds with the account of him restoring Temple worship, restoring the sacrifices, strengthening the religious leadership, destroying heathen practices, generally bringing Judah back to God. He even worked to draw the tribes of Israel back to God Almighty. This period of his reign is summed up with,

“Thus Hezekiah did throughout all Judah, and he did what was good and right and faithful before the Lᴏʀᴅ his God. And every work that he undertook in the service of the house of God and in accordance with the law and the commandments, seeking his God, he did with all his heart, and prospered.” ²

When the Assyrians under their King Sennacherib come to take control of Judah, Hezekiah takes the threat to God and God sends an angel who cuts off the strength of the Assyrian forces so that they flee back to Assyria in shame. Great is the victory by God.

Then comes what will be Hezekiah’s trial:

In those days Hezekiah became sick and was at the point of death, and he prayed to the Lᴏʀᴅ, and He answered him and gave him a sign. ³

The prophet Isaiah gives us more detail on what transpires at this time in Hezekiah’s life,

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 Lᴏʀᴅ: Set your house in order, for you shall die, you shall not recover.” Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lᴏʀᴅ, and said, “Please, O Lᴏʀᴅ, remember how I have walked before you in faithfulness and with a whole heart, and have done what is good in your sight.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly. Then the word of the Lᴏʀᴅ came to Isaiah: “Go and say to Hezekiah, Thus says the Lᴏʀᴅ, the God of David your father: I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Behold, 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 will defend this city.” ⁴

Have you ever thought you deserved what you asked for from God? Hezekiah certainly did—see him pointing out his merit to God, being faithful, having a whole heart, doing good in God’s sight. And Hezekiah even cries, actually, wept bitterly. After all the righteousness, certainly he deserves a little favor, a little grace, some consideration, not the death sentence. Then God gives him what he asks. Seems like such a good thing. Not only does Hezekiah get fifteen years more but God delivers the city. Peace. Isaiah even records Hezekiah’s response to God’s grace when Isaiah warns Hezekiah of what is to come after he enjoys grace:

Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, “Hear the word of the Lᴏʀᴅ of hosts: 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 Lᴏʀᴅ. 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.”

Then Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “The word of the Lᴏʀᴅ that you have spoken is good.” For he thought, “There will be peace and security in my days.” ⁵

Is it possible to be so oriented toward God that you lose sight of those around you, that you begin to think that you deserve ‘better’ while they are due what they have coming? Even though the prophet is warning Hezekiah of the turmoil to come, the loss and destruction, the king seems satisfied that he will live his days out in peace and security.

How does Hezekiah use those extra fifteen years? Does he work to again establish righteousness in his kingdom and his immediate family?

Now the rest of the acts of Hezekiah and his good deeds, behold, they are written in the vision of Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, in the Book of the Kings of Judah and Israel. And Hezekiah slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the upper part of the tombs of the sons of David, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem did him honor at his death. And Manasseh his son reigned in his place. ⁶

Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty-five years in Jerusalem. And he did what was evil in the sight of the LORD, according to the abominations of the nations whom the LORD drove out before the people of Israel. For he rebuilt the high places that his father Hezekiah had broken down, and he erected altars to the Baals, and made Asheroth, and worshiped all the host of heaven and served them. ⁷

Manasseh, son of Hezekiah, was born 3 years into his father’s added 15 years so for the first twelve years of his life, he could have been influenced by Hezekiah to become the righteous king to replace his father. Imagine knowing how many years you have left and not preparing your heir to the throne. Apparently, getting what you want, what you ‘bargain’ with God for, does not always serve the Highest. The balance of Second Chronicles 33 lists the atrocities done by this son which speeds Judah toward unrighteousness.

If only… fifteen years to promote righteousness, fifteen years to mentor a Godly son, fifteen years to draw a nation closer to God. If only. What will you do with that urgent request of God if He gives you the desire of your heart?