Finish Well

The past couple days I've been reading in 2 Kings about Hezekiah and the kings just before and after him. Hezekiah was king in some pretty difficult times. Israel had just been deported to Assyria, and the Assyrians are now sitting on Judah's doorstep.

The first question I asked when reading about Hezekiah is, how did he turn out so good?!?!? His father, Ahaz, was an extremely wicked man. Back in 2 Kings chapter 16, Ahaz is described as follows: "...he did not do what was right in the eyes of the Lord his God. He walked in the ways of the kings of Israel and even sacrificed his son in the fire..." (2 Kings 16:3)

And yet in chapter 18, Hezekiah is described as a man who "did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, just as his father David had done." (2 Kings 18:3) He removes high places, smashes altars, cuts down idols, and followed the Law given to Moses. In short, "Hezekiah trusted in the Lord, the God of Israel. There was no one like him among all the kings of Judah, either before him or after him." (18:5)

We may never know exactly how Hezekiah grew in the Lord when all around him people were so wicked, although I imagine that maybe Isaiah the prophet or one of the faithful priests took him under their wing and mentored him.

The application I see from Hezekiah's life is summed up in Romans 12:2--"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will."

Of course, Hezekiah was not perfect either, even though there was none like him, before or after. In 2 Kings chapter 20, God has miraculously healed Hezekiah from a fatal illness, and some Babylonian messengers come to basically congratulate Hezekiah on his recovery. Then Hezekiah seriously goofs up. In a gush of pride, he shows them his treasures. He goes so far, that it says, "There was nothing in his palace or in all his kingdom that Hezekiah did not show them." (20:13b)

Later, when Isaiah prophesies the Babylonian captivity because of Hezekiah's actions, instead of repenting, Hezekiah basically thinks, "Well, at least it won't happen in my lifetime!"

As Christians, we can really tend to jump on Hezekiah for this apathetic thought, and condemn him for not finishing well, which is true, but maybe we should take a peek at the log in our own eyes. How many times have we missed an opportunity to share out faith, and think, "Oh well, at least I am going to heaven"?

I wince when I think of how many times I've thought that. Hezekiah and I are basically in the same boat.

So maybe we became a Christian with enthusiasm, and serve the Lord with energy and joy. God healed us from a fatal disease called death. And maybe we trust God more than anyone else in our family, community, and Church.

But let's make sure that we finish well.

~~~

Change the world!!!

In Christ,
Ellie



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