Hezekiah was a godly leader, but failed to equip the next generation. Instead of being concerned about his legacy, his sole focus was enjoying the final years of his life. He did not prepare his son, Manasseh, who succeeded him as king. As a result, Israel struggled without good spiritual leadership to face the Babylonian captivity that came after Hezekiah died.
Hezekiah’s servants came to Isaiah during “a day of distress, rebuke, and rejection” with no strength to deliver. Isaiah said not to fear Assyria’s blasphemy of God since they would hear a rumor, return to their land and be killed by the sword. Sennacherib said that Assyria destroyed gods in various nations and it was futile to trust in “your” God (2 Kings 19:1-13). Trust in God and don’t fear in times of distress, rebuke and rejection.
Hezekiah spread out the letter and prayed before the Lord God of Israel enthroned over all the kingdoms of the earth who made heaven and earth. He asked God to listen to Sennacherib’s reproach of the living God who destroyed nations that worshiped gods made by human hands. Hezekiah asked for deliverance so the earth would know that God is Lord (2 Kings 19:14-19). Ask for God’s deliverance as you acknowledge His Lordship over heaven and earth.
God answered through Isaiah that Sennacherib was despised and mocked because of his pride against God and his trust in many chariots. God planned that he would “turn fortified cities into ruinous heaps,” but defeat him by putting His hook in his nose and bridling his lips (2 Kings 19:20-28). Rest in God’s sovereignty and power to defeat evil forces.
In the third year, they would sow, plant vineyards and eat its fruit with the surviving remnant from Judah taking root downward and bearing fruit upward. The zeal of the Lord would perform this. God would defend Jerusalem and save it for His own and David’s sake. The angel of the Lord killed 185,000 Assyrians. Sennacherib was killed while worshiping in the house of Nisroch, his god (2 Kings 19:29-37). Meditate on God’s word to bear spiritual fruit and rely on God’s protection to overcome evil.
When Hezekiah realized he was near death, he prayed to God. He acknowledged walking in truth with a whole heart and doing good in His sight. God healed, added 15 years to his life and delivered Jerusalem from Assyria for His sake. Hezekiah laid a cake of figs on his boil and he recovered. The Lord brought the shadow on the stairway backward ten steps as a sign that he would be healed (2 Kings 20:1-11). Ask God for good health to walk in truth wholeheartedly and do good in His sight instead of selfishly pursuing your own pleasure.
Hezekiah showed the king of Babylon all the treasures in his house. Isaiah predicted that everything in his house would be carried to Babylon along with descendants who would become officials in the palace of Babylon’s king. Hezekiah was reassured that peace and truth would remain during his days. Manasseh his son became king in his place (2 Kings 20:12-21). Use your insights and resources to spiritually equip the next generation to meet future challenges.
How to prepare yourself to equip the next generation:
1. Trust in God and don’t fear in times of distress, rebuke and rejection
2. Ask for God’s deliverance as you acknowledge His Lordship over heaven and earth
3. Rest in God’s sovereignty and power to defeat evil forces
4. Meditate on God’s word to bear spiritual fruit and rely on God’s protection to overcome evil
5. Ask God for good health to walk in truth wholeheartedly and do good in His sight instead of selfishly pursuing your own pleasure
6. Use your insights and resources to spiritually equip the next generation to meet future challenges
