Hezekiah was a good king who had a relationship with The LORD. But like all of us, he wasn’t perfect. Like all of us, he forgot he was dependent on the Lord. He very literally was only alive because God allowed it. The Lord had healed him from a grave illness and extended his life by fifteen years. Hezekiah was overjoyed by his recovery and he celebrated it.
Baladan king of Babylon sent his son Merodach-baladan and an envoy with letters and gifts to Hezekiah. Verse 2 reads,
“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.”
Hezekiah had become a bit foolhardy. He didn’t stop to think about consequences of his actions since God had extended his life for fifteen years. He showed the envoys from Babylon everything they needed to see if they wanted to conquer Israel. Their riches, their weapons, even the layout of the king’s home.
The Lord sent Isaiah to the king and said, “Whoa there! What did these people say? Where are they from? What did they see?”
Puffed up Hezekiah answered, “They came from a far off country, Babylon and they saw everything I have, there is nothing I didn’t show them.”
“Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, “Hear the word of the Lord of hosts: 6 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. 7 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.” (Verses 5-7).
When the Babylonian envoys came, instead of glorifying the LORD and proclaiming the miracle of healing, Hezekiah glorified himself, accepted laud for himself and then foolishly showed off all his treasure and stores. His actions would have very direct consequences. The Babylonians weren’t there for friendship. Merodach-baladan saw all that he could take and it stirred up his greed and a plan.
Verse 8 records Hezekiah’s reaction,
“Then Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “The word of the Lord that you have spoken is good.” For he thought, “There will be peace and security in my days.”
In other words, “Whew! Thanks, you’re right I shouldn’t been so hasty but at least it is my sons and not me that will be punished. I’ll be fine.”
Are you taking credit for your life? It is the Creator who gave you life. It is Jesus who saved your soul. It is the Spirit who enables you to live and walk in power and victory. Be careful to remember that. Don’t go showing off all the treasure God has given you as if it is your own. Your gifts are His. Your life is His. Maybe you won’t be the one to suffer the consequences but someone will. Maybe the person who would have given her life to Christ if you had shared your testimony instead of bragging about your good deeds didn’t hear about Jesus. Maybe the child you are raising will live with alcoholism because you talked about how you overcame the problem rather than giving God the glory for healing you.
Never forget who it is that gives you life, faith, and gifts. It is not because of who you are but because of who He is.