BE CAREFUL

-

2 Kings 20:12-13,16-18

Soon after this, Merodach-baladan son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent Hezekiah his best wishes and a gift, for he had heard that Hezekiah had been very sick.

Hezekiah received the Babylonian envoys and showed them everything in his treasure-houses—the silver, the gold, the spices, and the aromatic oils. He also took them to see his armory and showed them everything in his royal treasuries! There was nothing in his palace or kingdom that Hezekiah did not show them.

Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, “Listen to this message from the Lord:

The time is coming when everything in your palace—all the treasures stored up by your ancestors until now—will be carried off to Babylon. Nothing will be left, says the Lord.

Some of your very own sons will  taken away into exile. They will become eunuchs who will serve in the palace of Babylon’s king.”


We could get carried away sometimes, especially when everything seems to be peaceful. We may become careless and let our guard down.


Hezekiah got a "get well" greeting from the king of Babylon, there was nothing wrong with that. 


The king however sent an envoy to see him and king Hezekiah went ahead to show them all the treasures of Judah.


What was the problem here? Babylon was going about conquering and colonizing nations. 


So the seeming innocent friendly gesture of king Hezekiah, could as well be seen as playing into the hands of their future captor.


Remember, why we study the records of the old testament:


2 Timothy 3:16

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.


So let us look at one selfish attitude of Hezekiah that we should not emulate:


2 Kings 20:17-19

The time is coming when everything in your palace—all the treasures stored up by your ancestors until now—will be carried off to Babylon. Nothing will be left, says the Lord.

Some of your very own sons will be taken away into exile. They will become eunuchs who will serve in the palace of Babylon’s king.”

Then Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “This message you have given me from the Lord is good.” For the king was thinking, “At least there will be peace and security during my lifetime.”


He wasn't bothered about the prophesy against Judah because it would not happen in his lifetime.


I wonder if it was because his son's didn't follow his good ways.


However, in general, Hezekiah lived a life faithful to God, that we should emulate.


As believers, we learn to walk wisely, and that is why the Holy Spirit helps us.


Glory to God.


PRAYER

Loving Father, keep me faithful to You in all things. May I not err out of excitement, carelessness or challenges. I will finish well. Glory to Your name Lord forevermore.


He calls us blessed.


Love

@the watcher.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

MAINTAIN A GODLY MARRIAGE

-
Judges 13:2-3,6,10 In those days a man named Manoah from the tribe of Dan lived in the town of Zorah. His wife was unable to become pregnant, and they had no children. The angel of the Lord appeared to Manoah’s wife and said, “Even though you have been unable to have children, you will soon become pregnant and give birth to a son. The woman ran and told her husband, “A man of God appeared to me! He looked like one of God’s angels, terrifying to see. I didn’t ask where he was from, and he didn’t tell me his name. So she quickly ran and told her husband, “The man who appeared to me the other day is here again!” We live in times when the institution of marriage is being destroyed from in and out of the church. Divorce rate is high and many are in a marriage but are not happy therein. What is the problem? God has been taken out of the equation. How? Jesus said: Matthew 19:8 Jesus replied, “Moses permitted divorce only as a concession to your hard hearts, but it was not what God had origina
Read more

Remember: God is in control.

-
As we go through the 11th month of this year of accomplishment, let us be reminded. When it seems to hurt so much, or it all looks quiet and alone, when it appears not to work out. Please don't give up, God is still in control Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. My dear it is not about how you feel, and not about what it seems, it is about what He Has promised and He who promised is sure to keep His Word. Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:12 " Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you." God is in control and His plans for you are good. He has already done it. Romans 4:21 " and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform." Have a
Read more

NEEDLESS BATTLES

-
Judges 12:1-4 Then the people of Ephraim mobilized an army and crossed over the Jordan River to Zaphon. They sent this message to Jephthah: “Why didn’t you call for us to help you fight against the Ammonites? We are going to burn down your house with you in it!” Jephthah replied, “I summoned you at the beginning of the dispute, but you refused to come! You failed to help us in our struggle against Ammon. So when I realized you weren’t coming, I risked my life and went to battle without you, and the Lord gave me victory over the Ammonites. So why have you now come to fight me?” The people of Ephraim responded, “You men of Gilead are nothing more than fugitives from Ephraim and Manasseh.” So Jephthah gathered all the men of Gilead and attacked the men of Ephraim and defeated them. When the Lord does not lead you, you become prone to minding and walking with unnecessary things, like fighting unnecessary battles and stirring evil sentiments. I have always said that devices like racism, tri
Read more