Slips in Faith: the case of Hezekiah

These days, it is the custom of great nations to invite small nations to come over for talks on economy, trade, building, constructions of mutual interest and of course, secret talking about who knows what.

Also in biblical times it happened and God has something for us to learn through all this.

Jotham was the grandfather of Hezekiah, the good king of Judah. He was but 15 years old when his son Ahaz was born. Ahaz was but a Middle School boy when Hezekiah was born, only 15 years old. When Hezekiah was 18 years old, Samaria fell and his father died as well. For a period of a couple of years, nothing is said about the kingship of Judah but one counting in the book of Kings dropped Ahaz out, since he was a very bad king, and listed Hezekiah as king since his birth.

Hezekiah became king at the age of 25 in 716 BCE He was a very good king that got rid of all idols and Baals and Asherahs in the country. Also in our days there are Baals, Asherahs, and idols. Rulers cannot just left right and center smash idols in our day. Not because they are good. The Bible also do not expect the rulers to smash them since the biblical principle of worshiping the only true God of the universe is freedom of choice and decision. God does not want to force people to worship Him. The freedom to love and hate. There is no God that does this.

Hezekiah lived in the time of the professor of History, Isaiah who was the pastor of the court. Hezekiah respected Isaiah a lot. An event happened in the life of Hezekiah that placed him on the world-empire map of those days. The Assyrians ruled the World of those days and their rival was Babylon. A certain rebel leader there with the name of Merodach-Baladan gave problems to Assyria in 702 BCE.

Something happened in the life of Hezekiah that was to connect him with this rebel of Babylon. Hezekiah became very sick and was about to die. In Isaiah 38 Isaiah recorded with care the detail regarding his illness. Hezekiah was but 39 years old that year and he said in the poem that he wrote later about this illness, which is also recorded in Isaiah 38, that the Lord was to cut him off from his life in mid-life. He cried out to God those who are dead and in Sheol does not praise the Lord. It is only the living who praise the Lord. The concept that people die and go to heaven after death is bogus. Ask Hezekiah and Isaiah. God gave Hezekiah healing and 15 years were added to his life. He was to die in 687 BCE.

In that year his son Manasseh was 12 years old according to 2 Kings 21:1. Calculating back from 687 we start the time in 699 BCE which means that Manasseh was born two years after the illness event.

Also in the hymn, Hezekiah promised to take his children to the temple, to church “all his life” and they will play songs and play stringed instruments before the Lord in His house (Isaiah 38:20). Manasseh would have been in the house of the Lord since his birth and thus he got from his father a good faithful schooling until 12. However, when Hezekiah died, his wife, which do not have a Hebrew name, was not that faithful and Manasseh became a very wicked king.

When Hezekiah was healed from his sickness, the rebel of Babylon, Merodach Baladan heard about it (Isaiah 39:1) and he sent letters of congratulations to Hezekiah. Instead of honoring God for his healing, Hezekiah thought that he would take them on a tour through his other achievements. “I got healed but I can show you also other things I did”. And he did. He showed them his gold and silver and diamonds, oilfields, nuclear weapons and more (Isaiah 39:2). “There was nothing in his house nor in all his dominion that Hezekiah did not show them”. This was his weakness. A great mistake.

Pastor Isaiah heard that there were visitors so he asked Hezekiah who they were. He told Hezekiah that the Lord is not pleased with what Hezekiah did. The reason is that years later during the time of Daniel Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon would come and steal all these treasures from Jerusalem.

The next problem Hezekiah had is that he misinterpreted the sermon of Isaiah to him. What was supposed to be a finger of warning, is interpreted by Hezekiah as something good. Here Hezekiah displays his own selfishness and narrow-mindedness. Careless of his own posterity, he says that at least it will go well during the rest of his own reign. He did not care enough of his grandsons and their children’s future.

Dear God

We are also placed in positions where we must make tough decisions. Help us to empty ourselves from our Self-indulgence and give honor praise and glory to You instead. Amen.

Koot van Wyk (DLitt et Phil; ThD)

Visiting Professor

Kyungpook National University

Sangju Campus

South Korea

Conjoint lecturer of Avondale Colege

Australia