Leaders should reflect that for all their preaching, pastoring, discipling, decisions and actions there is a ‘law of unintended consequences’ to be considered. Hezekiah no doubt was relieved, in some sense, that while in the end future generations would be exiled, in his life time there would be security and peace. Doubtless it was a blessing that God would delay judgment while he was still alive. Personally it was happy that God would spare the godly king sorrow upon sorrow. In one sense, of course, the LORD was working out his purpose according to His own diary, penciled in his secret counsels. Yet, in another sense, the attitude of Hezekiah displays a selfishness of heart.
What minister is entirely free from the vestiges of self? Is it not the very best, most effective, most productive pastors who are most frequently assaulted by temptations to pride? Is it not a humbling fact that the hearts of Christian elders are so easily puffed up? If Satan was the originator of pride, and if sinners, at times, seem to thrive and revel in pride, is not every believer also in danger of succumbing to pride?
Such questions and thoughts as these have been whizzing round my neurones since the case of Hezekiah came before my mind. What, we have to ask, was going through his brain when he committed this sin? So I started to attempt to tease out the thought processes of one of Judah’s stellar monarchs. I began to meander my way slowly through the accounts of the sin of Hezekiah in scripture (2 Kings 20.12-19; 2 Chronicles 32.24-31; Isaiah 39.1-8). I was rocked by the force of the many valuable and instructive lessons and warnings to be scavenged from the spiritual carrion of the accounts of the carcass-like sin of the pride of Hezekiah.
1. Godly leaders who do much for the wellbeing of the Kingdom and honour of the House of God are still capable of committing serious, disgraceful sins that bring trouble on the Church.
Hezekiah had, by all accounts, a remarkable career, in reformation of worship, re-institution of long-neglected feasts and re-promulgation of Covenant Law throughout the length and breadth of the Kingdom (you can read through the catalogue of historic achievements in 2 Chronicles 29.1-31.21). Yet in one disastrous stroke, when he failed to return thanks to God, he was left to his own devices, and his actions proved disastrous. 2 Chronicles 32.25 states bluntly:
“But Hezekiah did not make return according to the benefit done to him, for his heart was proud” (E.S.V.)
It is with a ‘Gadzooks!’ and a gulp we read the shocking indictment:
“Therefore wrath came upon him and Judah and Jerusalem” (E.S.V.)
Was this godly leader of Judah’s spiritual reformation in the 8th Century B.C. capable of such sins which, at least in the short-term, heaped disaster on the church? Be warned, overconfident leaders, that ‘sin is crouching at the door’ and desires to drag you off. Lord, in your mercy, keep us from such complacency, and grant a humble, contrite heart.
2. Remarkably used instruments or leaders can become very proud and puffed up when they are granted remarkable providences in answer to heart-broken, faithful, prayer.
We must gloss quickly over the breathtaking rescue from the hands of Assyria’s army (2 Kings 19.1-37 – see especially vv.35-37). Hezekiah had, what appeared to be, a fatal diagnosis. His boil, it seems, had spread sepsis through his system. Conscious of the danger he cried to God that his life might be spared. The prophet Isaiah was sent by the LORD to announce sure recovery – the poultice would serve as a kind of sacramental sign.
“And before the prophet Isaiah had gone out of the middle court the word of the LORD came to him ‘Turn back and say to Hezekiah, the leader of my people, Thus says the LORD, the God of David your father: I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Behold I will heal you!” (2 Kings 20.4-7 – E.S.V.)
As if that were not enough, Hezekiah then sought a sign from God. His wish was granted. What subsequently took place was one of the most miraculous events in the whole of human history – the shadow of the sun went back on the steps of Ahaz.
“And Isaiah the prophet called to the LORD, and he brought the shadow back ten steps by which it had gone down on the steps of Ahaz,” (2 Kings 20.11 – E.S.V.)
It created such a stir in the nation and further afield in Babylon, that envoys came to enquire about what they heard (or had possibly seen – 2 Chronicles 32.31b). It was at this moment (of the cure and sign) that godly Hezekiah should have given thanks to God and been humbled by God’s grace. Instead, it seems, the opposite was the case – he became puffed up. Herein lies a solemn warning to the most used servants of God: brothers ‘you are only one mighty blessing away from the sin of ruinous pride which will destroy your entire legacy by a single act of folly!’ Lord, in your mercy, purge us from pride and may we not bring disgrace, hardship and misery on your people.
3. Servants appointed by God must not presume on His sustaining grace if they forget to give all glory, thanks and honour to Him.
We are specifically told that, because Hezekiah did not give thanks, the LORD withdrew from the king and left him to his own devices. This was to test him to see what was stuff he was made of spiritually. Of course, in the case of Hezekiah (and all other bible kings), we are being shown by the scriptures that no mere human king is qualified to redeem or be the everlasting ruler – the shoes of the One True Messiah, whom the others dimly prefigured, could only be filled by the Lord Jesus Christ, the God-Man Mediator. Hezekiah, like all other leaders, was, spiritually speaking, a monumental failure of demerit who needed a Redeemer!
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