’s Revival – 8. Hezekiah’s Final Tests. :24-33. March 17th 2013.

This passage deals with some events in the second half of Hezekiah’s reign after the siege of and God’s great deliverance from the Assyrian menace. Following the events of Hezekiah’s revival and the miraculous intervention of God in 701 BC there is a bit of a sense of anticlimax. Summary: We have looked at one of the most exciting episodes in the history of / which had a huge effect on how God’s people viewed God and themselves. We looked at: The call to consecration, cleansing the temple and the land, restoring burnt offerings, Passover being reinstated – focus on the blood of a lamb, revival giving – in generosity and joy, repairing the walls, building towers and strengthening the supporting terraces, recognizing enemy propaganda and receiving words of faith when under enemy attack. “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the King of and the vast army with him for there is a greater power with us than with him.” 2 Chron 32:7.

Hezekiah passed the tests of the first 15 years of his reign with flying colours. You would think that he would forever after trust God fully. Here we see some of the different tests that he faced in peace. Ho didn’t always do well. The bible presents Hezekiah as a great king but his faults are not glossed over. There are lessons here for us about remaining faithful to the end. Great deliverances and experiences with God in the past do not guarantee that we will respond rightly in the present. Each of us needs a present and up to date relationship with the Lord.

Test 1. Hezekiah’s Illness. V 24 26. He was at the point of death and he prayed. God provided a miraculous sign to show that Hezekiah would recover. 36:1-8 and 21-22. The sun’s shadow moved backwards over 10 steps of a staircase. A sign and a wonder! Nothing is impossible. V 25. But Hezekiah was proud and did not respond to the kindness shown him. (This is not explained here.) Hezekiah had a problem with pride. James 4:6. “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Hezekiah then repented and the Lord’s wrath did not come upon Judah till after Hezekiah’s reign. ( In 586 BC.)

Test 2. Riches. God blessed Hezekiah with riches and honour. Judah recovered from the Assyrian attacks and became prosperous again. Prosperity brings its own dangers – self sufficiency, pride, independence, wrong trust. Later we will see that Hezekiah failed in this area. This passage makes it clear that the riches came from the Lord. God loves to bless his people with plenty.

Hezekiah’s Water Tunnel is squeezed in here. V 30. This was obviously considered too important by the Chronicler to miss out although it really belongs with v 1-6 and the preparations for the Assyrian attack. Hezekiah made sure that Jerusalem had a secure water supply within the city walls. They could survive any siege with access to water. In an amazing feat of engineering they cut a channel through the sandstone under the city of so that the waters of the would flow through to the Pool of Siloam. We need access to the water of life in our lives. We may need to dig a channel in the hidden, internal parts of our lives. The water of life, the Holy Spirit within us, can sustain through many a drought and siege.

Test 3. The Babylonian Visitors. V 31. Here Hezekiah was foolish and rebuked by Isaiah. . His problem was pride again. He showed the Babylonian envoys all his treasures – his armoury and store houses. Nothing was hidden from them. Perhaps he was trying to impress. Perhaps they were sizing each other up for a possible alliance against the Assyrians. However, in the foolish act Hezekiah revealed the full resources of his kingdom to potential trusted allies who were to become enemies. Isaiah 39:8. Another weakness. Hezekiah was not interested in his legacy. He just cared about “peace in his time.” We need to care deeply about what we are passing on. 2 Chron 32:31 says “God left him to test him and to know what was in his heart.” Sometimes God withdraws from us which can be very painful. Sometimes these are called “desert experiences.” God has said, “I will never leave you. I will never forsake you” which is a powerful promise. Joshua 1:5, Deut31:6 However, sometimes it feels as though he has left us. This is very purposeful – to reveal what is in our hearts. Here, what showed up in Hezekiah’s heart was not good. How do we respond when things are not going so well? This leads us right back to consecration, where we started.

The End of Hezekiah’s Reign. V 32-33. He was buried in the tombs of the Davidic kings with great honour.