Chapters 38 & 39 Hezekiah's Folly Part 1

It is recorded about Hezekiah in 2Kings 18:5 He trusted in the LORD God of Israel; so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor any that were before him.

In the first month of his reign Hezekiah began undoing the damage his father Ahaz did to the temple, city and the worship of the people.

2Kings 18:6 For he clave to the LORD, and departed not from following him, but kept his commandments, which the LORD commanded Moses

2Kings 18:13-16  When Sennacherib king of Assyria first takes the outlying cities he levies a tribute due him from Hezekiah. Hezekiah strips the gold from the temple doors and the silver from the temple to pay the tribute. This is before Isaiah's account begins in [Isaiah 37:1].

Folly or wisdom

It could be folly - Hezekiah may have first tried to buy off Sennacherib so he would withdraw from Judah. His first instinct might have been to trust in wealth. When Sennacherib took the gold and silver but still demanded more Hezekiah may have realized his folly and turned to who he knew and should have trusted first, The LORD, The Holy One Of Israel. We know the end of Sennacherib

It could have been meeting an obligation left by Ahaz when he stripped the palace and temple to pay Assyria for fighting against Israel and Syria. In 2Kings 18:14 Hezekiah stated "I have offended" he felt he had wronged Sennacherib in some way and he may have felt it was the right thing to do. The gold and silver Hezekiah used to overlay the doors may have been due Assyria in the first place. We know the rest  of the story Sennacherib wanted more [Isaiah 37] and continued to challenge Hezekiah's Lord.

Either way Hezekiah used poor judgment either he should have paid his obligation first before he overlaid the doors or he should have trusted in the LORD first.

Isaiah Chapter 38:1 - I those days [the days of the Assyrian siege] Hezekiah was sick unto and near death. It seems to me to was his appointed time to die.

Hezekiah asked the LORD for more time he wept sore. Could have Hezekiah been thinking I love this life, or maybe he felt he was the only one who could lead Judah in this time of trouble. For a short time Hezekiah may have taken his eyes off the LORD and became self-centered he forgot it didn't matter if he died or lived The LORD was in control. Did the The LORD need Hezekiah to be able to stop Sennacherib from coming into Jerusalem?

The LORD responds to his plea promised him 15 more years and again promises to defend Jerusalem from Assyria. Isaiah 38:6-5     

In Isaiah 38:9-22 After Hezekiah is healed he  records his state of mind when he was sick and about to die. You can see when he was sick he became full of self-pity to him it had become all about himself

Hezekiah's Sign

Isaiah 38:22 states Hezekiah had asked for a sign from God when God gave him 15 more years and said that he will deliver the city.

Isaiah 38:8 - the sign from the LORD he will turn again the shadow of degrees on the sun dial. It is not recorded any place else but here that the day was shortened during the reign of Ahaz. As a sign for Hezekiah the day is returned to it's true length. [God promised Hezekiah 15 more years he returns the day to it's full length giving him the full 15 years of full days not 15 years of short days - The LORD deals in full truth not short truth]

*According 1Corinthians 14:22 who is prophesy for - them who believe - The prophesy (word from The LORD) Isaiah 38:6-5

*According 1Corinthians 14:22 who is a sign for  - them who believe not - The sign from the LORD in Isaiah 38:22. Could it be when Hezekiah became sick unto death that he went through a time of spiritual drought and doubt so he needed a sign? The  sign may the way The LORD assured Hezekiah he could stay upon the Holy One Of Israel - a way back to faith - God's grace

Daniel 3:18.....But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up. that is faith that does not need a sign. As Christians we have all went through or are going through tough times when our faith is tried - remember for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.(2Timothy 1:12)  even without a sign. Watch that our living faith does not become dependent upon a sign.

Next lesson The folly of 15 extra years Chapter 39