8 And Hezekiah said to Isaiah, "What is the sign that the LORD will heal me, and that I shall go up to the house of the LORD the third day?" 9 Then Isaiah said, "This is the sign to you from the LORD, that the LORD will do the thing which He has spoken: shall the shadow go forward ten degrees or go backward ten degrees?" 10 And Hezekiah answered, "It is an easy thing for the shadow to go down ten degrees; no, but let the shadow go backward ten degrees." 11 So Isaiah the prophet cried out to the LORD, and He brought the shadow ten degrees backward, by which it had gone down on the sundial of Ahaz.
12 At that time Berodach-baladan the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present to Hezekiah, for he heard that Hezekiah had been sick. 13 And Hezekiah was attentive to them, and showed them all the house of his treasures--the silver and gold, the spices and precious ointment, and all his armory--all that was found among his treasures. There was nothing in his house or in all his dominion that Hezekiah did not show them.
14 Then Isaiah the prophet went to King Hezekiah, and said to him, "What did these men say, and from where did they come to you?" So Hezekiah said, "They came from a far country, from Babylon." 15 And he said, "What have they seen in your house?" So Hezekiah answered, "They have seen all that is in my house; there is nothing among my treasures that I have not shown them." 16 Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, "Hear the word of the LORD: 17'Behold, the days are coming when all that is in your house, and what your fathers have accumulated until this day, shall be carried to Babylon; nothing shall be left,' says the LORD. 18 And they shall take away some of your sons who will descend from you, whom you will beget; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.' " 19 So Hezekiah said to Isaiah, "The word of the LORD which you have spoken is good!" For he said, "Will there not be peace and truth at least in my days?"
20 Now the rest of the acts of Hezekiah--all his might, and how he made a pool and a tunnel and brought water into the city--are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah? 21 So Hezekiah rested with his fathers. Then Manasseh his son reigned in his place. NKJV
King Hezekiah lay near death and the sickness was of a nature that it would surely cause him death. There was at the time a plague hitting the people and it amounted to great boils on the body. The nation was at war. As the leader of this people, he had no fight in him due to the sickness that was taking over his body. He turned toward the wall, which was toward the Temple and prayed. His prayer was heard and the prophet returned with the answer to that prayer.
When God moves in a mighty way ARE we likely to forget and entertain as the world does by showing them our "stuff" and not mention the healing and the miracle God did for us? No easy thing, but GOD, does the miraculous in moving the shadow ten degrees backward. Awesome deed is done and it is made note of the occurrence. The report revealed that a miracle in the making would cause the King to go the temple on the third day!
Back on the job and ready to continue his leadership role, King Hezekiah receives letters. As he received the letters of his recovery, he was also receiving the sender of the well-wishing thought. Ah, but alas, Hezekiah just wanted to show off his "stuff" and did not tell these people of the awesome things God had done for him. " Look, I have this, and this and this. Is this not grand?"
Back on the job and ready to continue his leadership role, King Hezekiah receives letters. As he received the letters of his recovery, he was also receiving the sender of the well-wishing thought. Ah, but alas, Hezekiah just wanted to show off his "stuff" and did not tell these people of the awesome things God had done for him. " Look, I have this, and this and this. Is this not grand?"
Isaiah the prophet is sent back to King Hezekiah and said, "what did these men say, and from where did they come to you?" Of course, Hezekiah said, "they came from a foreign country, from
Babylon." "WHAT HAVE THEY SEEN IN YOUR HOUSE?"
Babylon." "WHAT HAVE THEY SEEN IN YOUR HOUSE?"
And the King answers, "there is nothing among my treasures that I have not shown them."
Yes, the king certainly showed them all the wealth he had accumulated, but all the wealth does not measure up to the goodness of God when healing occurs that points to the miraculous being done.
But consider that these men are from Babylon. They no doubt were excited to come to the place that most astronomers of Babylon would have been delighted to visit and find out about how the sun dial moved backward. What an event to see in the natural! Then to not make mention of the whole ordeal and how it all worked together to glorify God, how awesome that would have been to participate in that to glorify God!
Was the King looking for friendship with the Babylonians? Was he more apt to show and display his wares, his fortunes, his things gained through the mantle of wearing the crown, and his storage of the soldierly warlike inventory he held at the time. He surely held facilities to hold all the wares he needed for war!
The prophet no doubt is sent to reprove the King. As we see in 2 Kings 20:14...as the King was complimented by their visit. But the whole thing was wrong!
It is a vain exhibition, and the King offered no reverence or respect to his God.
Do we get caught up with "the stuff" and forget the times God has healed us, kept us from harm, only to delight again in Babylon's friendship? What a message that would have been if the king told them about how God moved the dial backwards? How many could King Hezekiah have ministered to in those astronomers of that day. "Wow, look what my God did here to save me from death!"
No, it appears that the king was all too happy to show off his treasures, so others might see him as to be admired. Sounds a lot like pride does it not?
"Well, I am just innocently showing them my wares!" Wrong! It amounted to sin in the heart. It was a sin in vanity and pride. King Hezekiah's confidence was in "his stuff"!
What "stuff'" do we like to show off? Is there anything that we hold pride in that we have done for ourselves? I think of those in business and is it one what projects that which is honest and of good report or is the business man leading the way in corrupt methods and ways of doing business?
I was approached recently on-line by a ministry and in few words they wanted me to "know" that they were thanking me for my giving into their ministry. They were telling all those they minister to that I had given into that ministry and made a sacrifice toward this ministry. So all those that they spoke to about me and (my giving into that ministry) were in reality saying let's all thank her together as in unity! Which was based on a lie at that time as I had not given nor had my husband given into that ministry!
Honesty is imperative. Whatever ministry, and however big or little, the optimum word is to be honest to everyone about everything! To tell people that I had given to that ministry when I had not is a lie! (and if God is telling you to give into a fertile soil of ministry, do it, do not delay, but we should not be giving because someone told others we had done it when we have not sown there.) Sowing in the field where we have received a good teaching is vital, but only in that place God has shown and you are fed!
I think of those who are studying for a degree to advance in their career! Do they hold a regard to study and not cheat on exams or find the easy way out of studying?
I even think of those who do things rather under-handed by taking drugs to make their bodies go beyond the limits of the thing they are trying to achieve whether in cycling, football or even in any other kind of sports!
Do we collect "sports cars" for the glory of God or..................?
King Hezekiah was just caught up in "things" and the glory those lifeless things could bring him! Did things become his "god" and cause him to not see fully what God had done for him in healing a body?
What "stuff'" do we like to show off? Is there anything that we hold pride in that we have done for ourselves? I think of those in business and is it one what projects that which is honest and of good report or is the business man leading the way in corrupt methods and ways of doing business?
I was approached recently on-line by a ministry and in few words they wanted me to "know" that they were thanking me for my giving into their ministry. They were telling all those they minister to that I had given into that ministry and made a sacrifice toward this ministry. So all those that they spoke to about me and (my giving into that ministry) were in reality saying let's all thank her together as in unity! Which was based on a lie at that time as I had not given nor had my husband given into that ministry!
Honesty is imperative. Whatever ministry, and however big or little, the optimum word is to be honest to everyone about everything! To tell people that I had given to that ministry when I had not is a lie! (and if God is telling you to give into a fertile soil of ministry, do it, do not delay, but we should not be giving because someone told others we had done it when we have not sown there.) Sowing in the field where we have received a good teaching is vital, but only in that place God has shown and you are fed!
I think of those who are studying for a degree to advance in their career! Do they hold a regard to study and not cheat on exams or find the easy way out of studying?
I even think of those who do things rather under-handed by taking drugs to make their bodies go beyond the limits of the thing they are trying to achieve whether in cycling, football or even in any other kind of sports!
Do we collect "sports cars" for the glory of God or..................?
King Hezekiah was just caught up in "things" and the glory those lifeless things could bring him! Did things become his "god" and cause him to not see fully what God had done for him in healing a body?
It is best to turn from wicked ways and give glory to the One who heals, saves, and delivers. The next time someone comes to visit, will we "show them our stuff" or will we "tell them what God has done for us?" "Will we tell them He saved us, delivered us, and yes healed us of all our infirmities"?
In closing I am reminded of a lady who came out to visit back in February. She has this great sports car, low to the road, and beautiful! She could have pointed out her car but in all our conversation that glorious day was the goodness of God to her, her husband and her sons. She told of the testimony of how God had moved on their behalf on so many occasions and how her sons were doing in school. God is good and He is good all the time to those who believe, to those who adhere to His Word and will not let go of God and of His truth! Her family was experiencing seeing God move in dramatic ways to show He is always ready to perform His word in their lives. She was seeing the life He planned for her and all those God had given her in this life. Hallelujah!
God does come to see how we handle those things He commits to our hands. In any tribulation we should always pay attention to those who are walking with the Lord and hear Him, and to stay away from those who are against us. That is, watch and stay with those who regard God and His power. Stay close to the Word and speak when recovering from any ordeal like sickness, divorce, death or even with past hurts and wounds! Receive a discerning heart, and lean not on what you know but lean on God. It is His Word that is lamp to our feet and a light to our path! Knowing Jesus is our Wisdom, when we listen, we add to our learning. It should be God's guidance we desire and to do always!
God does come to see how we handle those things He commits to our hands. In any tribulation we should always pay attention to those who are walking with the Lord and hear Him, and to stay away from those who are against us. That is, watch and stay with those who regard God and His power. Stay close to the Word and speak when recovering from any ordeal like sickness, divorce, death or even with past hurts and wounds! Receive a discerning heart, and lean not on what you know but lean on God. It is His Word that is lamp to our feet and a light to our path! Knowing Jesus is our Wisdom, when we listen, we add to our learning. It should be God's guidance we desire and to do always!
Father, Your Word says, "my son , give attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes; keep them in the midst of your heart; for they are life to those who find them, and health to all their flesh. Keep your heart with all diligence, for out it springs the issues of life." Today we pray for our heart to hold the words of life. We understand that one's preferences and inclinations can be subjected directly by the world. We also understand that the world has the pre-conversion heart and can affect our relationship with YOU our Father when we do not guard our heart with Your Word! Proverbs 11:;2 tells us that "when pride comes, then comes shame; but with the lowly is wisdom.
Father, today we set ourselves to resist pride when it comes!
Father, today we set ourselves to resist pride when it comes!
Today, we expect Your Word to rule over our hearts as we walk with You on this journey of eternal life. We do not desire to be those of vanity and pride, but those who will give glory to God for all that He does in this place. We have come to worship and give thanks today for all that You have done for us and we expect to see Your will done in our lives and our children's lives as well!
We, Lord, do not desire for You to withdraw from us! We know this can be a problem that affects our walk with You. We desire for our lives to be God-centered. We do not want to be overtaken by any thing that possessions can bring as they matter little to us in the scheme of life. We certainly cannot take "stuff" with us when we leave this world! You, our Creator, never intended materialism to be the basis for abundant living.
Today we will hear what God the Lord will speak for He will speak peace to his people and his saints. Today we will not turn back to folly in pride for surely God's salvation is near to us who fear Him that glory may dwell in our land. (Psalm 85:8-13) Lord You will indeed give what is good and our land will yield its harvest that is righteousness. Thank You for preparing the way for our steps in this process. AND Thank You that the reward of humility and the reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord is riches, honor and life. It is in Jesus' name we pray. Amen
You can also visit my Youtube channel The Voice of Prayer for more teaching at http://bit.ly/1tNyBhV
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