At that time Merodach-baladan the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent envoys with letters and a present to Hezekiah, for he heard that he had been sick and had recovered. And Hezekiah welcomed them gladly. And he showed them his treasure house, the silver, the gold, the spices, the precious oil, his whole 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. (Isaiah 39:1-2)
Hezekiah opened up for display all his wealth and treasures to the men from Babylon. They came from another country bringing letters and a present - traveling all that distance just to pay Hezekiah a visit. Who wouldn't be flattered? Our enemy rarely shows himself in his true colors - pure evil. Why or how would we ever be drawn in if that were the case? Remember these words: Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. (1Peter 5:8) And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. (2 Cor. 11:14)
We are often seduced through our pride. Once we're vulnerable, exposed, we give our enemy a glimpse into the treasures he can plunder. As was true for Hezekiah, all we have and are, are gifts from God (2 Chronicles 29:14). In Hezekiah's prideful display, his sin was revealed and Isaiah prophesies that the very things he bragged about would be taken away during the reign of his son. How amazing that Hezekiah's only response seems to be that he won't have to worry about it since these events would happen after his death and would not be his problem to deal with (see Isaiah 39:8). The pride and self-centeredness is amazing! Hezekiah has gone from (finally) falling on his knees before his God - the God of his people - in humility and wearing sackcloth to this boastful, arrogant man caught up in the enemy's flattery. Prior to this event, God had healed the king of a condition that was fatal, granting him 15 more years of life. Where is the thankfulness? The gratitude?
We look at these stories and wonder. If we, like Hezekiah, had been snatched from death's door, surely we'd behave differently! We thank we'd never be as stiff-necked and rebellious as the Israelites who saw the incredible miracles of God as he delivered them from Egyptian oppression. I challenge you (and myself!) to spend some time reflecting on the many blessings of God: a home to live in, loving friends and family, the many and expensive "toys" and gadgets at close hand, our health, our jobs, etc., etc. What is our attitude towards these things? Are we, like Hezekiah, proud of ourselves for the ability to acquire all we have? Are we seeking the praise and attention from those around us for all our accomplishments? Are we holding out our hands for more or are we lifting our hands in praise and thanksgiving to the God who has poured out the blessings of our health, our intelligence, our abilities? We can learn a lot from the story of Hezekiah. God was, and will always be, faithful, loving, healing, just and merciful. And God is also a jealous God: my glory I will not give to another (Is. 48:11).
In closing, consider the words in Isaiah 48:17: Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the LORD your God, who teaches you to profit, who leads you in the way you should go. (Isaiah 48:17)
Lord, you have given us so much, so many gifts. The greatest gift of all is your love. Forgive our pride, our turning a blind eye to your many blessings. Forgive our turning away from your love and turning a deaf ear to your voice calling out to us. Create is us a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within us.
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