Hezekiah's Illness

Following the defeat of the Assyrian army by the mysterious plague, Hezekiah regained much of his wealth and standing amongst regional rulers. But then he became deathly ill, apparently due to an infected boil. When he was told by Isaiah that his illness would end in death, he prayed fervently that God would spare his life. The people of this time did not have an understanding of heaven or an afterlife as we do, so death took on a greater finality. Additionally, Hezekiah had not yet had any sons to whom he could pass the kingdom and thereby continue the Davidic line. This may have been a big part of his anguish. The Lord extended his life another 5 years, and in that time, he had a son named Manasseh, who would be his successor.

In celebration of his recovery, Babylon sent an envoy of dignitaries and gifts to Hezekiah. The presence of the King's son indicates that this was a visit of some political significance as he would not likely have been involved in a mere gesture of goodwill. At that time, Babylon was being oppressed by the Assyrians, as most people-groups were, and were seeking to throw off their yoke. Perhaps they were hoping to secure Judah as an ally. Hezekiah was happy to receive an enemy of his enemy (Assyria) and was even happier to demonstrate to the Babylonians that he was doing quite well in the aftermath of the Assyrian threat. He showed off his wealth and treasuries, leaving nothing to the imagination. 2 Chron. 32:25 states that "Hezekiah did not respond appropriately to the kindness shown him, and he became proud". The kindness shown him was his healing and the pride was evident in his dealings with the Babylonians. It was not Hezekiah who had spared the people of Jerusalem from the invasion of Assyria, but God. Yet we can read between the lines that Hezekiah was prideful about the victory and the subsequent wealth that came his way. Remember that after the Assyrian army was turned away, there was peace in the land and Hezekiah 's status among the other kings increased greatly. From 2 Chron. 32:23 we read, "King Hezekiah became highly respected among all the surrounding nations and many gifts for the Lord arrived at jerusalem with valuable presents for King Hezekiah too".

Verse 31 says that when the envoys from Babylon arrived, "God withdrew from Hezekiah in order to test him and to see what was really in his heart". Well, there was pride and also self-centeredness. Because Hezekiah had not properly acknowledged God in his heart, Isaiah gave him a preview of what was to come regarding Babylon. It would take 100 more years, but that nation would rise up against Assyria and become a conquering force of their own. They would return to the treasures they had seen and take all of them. They would carry away the sons of the king at that time who would serve in the palace. Daniel was one of those included in that group. Hezekiah's response was not contrite but self-serving. "At least there will be peace and security during my lifetime". There was no concern for future generations nor brokenness over the sin in his own heart.

Without God's Holy Spirit to convict us of our sin, we naturally think this way too. Hezekiah lived at a time when the Holy Spirit had not yet been given, and God did withdraw from His people at times in order to accomplish or reveal His purposes. Remember Samson? As great a king as Hezekiah had been, without God he was just a sinful man like the rest of the kings around him.

Tomorrow's reading: Isaiah 40:1-44:5

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