Prepare-for-War

The story of King Hezekiah is an example of this, and one we would do well to study soberly and prayerfully. Hezekiah had served the Lord faithfully during his life. Then one day he became ill. "In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz came to him, and said unto him, Thus saith the Lord, Set thine house ,in order; for thou shalt die, and not live. Then he turned his face to the wall, and prayed unto the Lord, saying, I beseech thee, 0 Lord, remember now how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore." II Kings 20:1-3 The Lord heard Hezekiah'sprayer and saw his many tears. So, he sent the prophet back to him with the message: . Now our first reaction to this answer is probably something like, "What a wonderful example of God's mercy and answer to the prayer of a righteous man." But, was Heze kiah's request what was really "good" in God's eyes? I would say that the next fifteen years of his life showed that it was not. Two major things happened. First, Hezekiah became proud and welcomed visitors from the King of Babylon and showed them all of his treasures. "I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee ... And I will add unto thy days fifteen years ... " II Kings 20:5,6

"There was nothing in his house, nor in all his dominion, that Hezekiah shewed them not. Then came Isaiah the prophet unto king Hezekiah, and said unto him, What said these men? and from whence came they unto thee? And Hezekiah said, They are come from a far country, even from Babylon. And he said, What have they seen in thine house? And Heze kiah answered, All the things that are in mine house have they seen: there is nothing among my treasure that I have not shewed them. And Isaiah said unto Hezekiah, Hear the word of the Lord. Behold, the days come, that all that is in thine house, and that which thy

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