2Ch 32:31 | KingComments | STEP | The treasures and possessions of Hezekiah are measured broadly ( ). He owes all this to God. They are a reflection of the splendor of the great Son of David. Hezekiah takes care of safe places for all the treasures, so that the precious does not get into the hands of the enemy. Spiritually, it means that he is careful not to give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw pearls before swine ( ). All the treasures of God’s Word, the whole counsel of God, are for the whole church ( ) and for no one else. The same goes for the water supply that Hezekiah secures when Jerusalem is threatened by Sennacherib ( ; ). He has prosperity in all his work. Then comes the test of God leaving him ( ). The reason is the visit from Babylon. God leaves Hezekiah to see how he deals with this visit. Will he give Him the honor of the wonder they come to ask him about? God can sometimes leave a believer to himself, withdraw Himself from him. He knows what is in the heart of the believer, as He knows it of the people ( ). But it has to come to light and Hezekiah has to see for himself. Hezekiah must know that pride lurks in his heart. He sees this and humbles himself therefore ( ). God sometimes has to teach us a lesson. With this in mind, we may pray: “Do not lead us into temptation” ( ). If we fail, it is our fault; if we remain standing, it is God’s grace. It is the same as being lost and being saved. The chronicler has reached the end of what he wants to tell his readers about Hezekiah. What else Hezekiah has done, especially his “deeds of devotion” ( ), is described in the vision of Isaiah and in the books of the kings of Judah and Israel ( ; Isaiah 36-39). The vision of Isaiah refers to the book of Isaiah ( ). Although Hezekiah failed in the test at the end of his life, his life as a whole was characterized by piety, fear of God. This is also reflected in his burial. That he is buried “in the upper section” is more than just a description of the location. It indicates that his way was a way up, a way up to the LORD. At his death, “all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem honored him”. They will remember his favors. How good it is to remember at the funerals of leaders what the Lord has given to His people through them. The son who succeeds Hezekiah, Manasseh, is a very different ‘leader’.

‏ 2 Chronicles 32:31

Prosperity and Death of Hezekiah

The treasures and possessions of Hezekiah are measured broadly (2Chr 32:27-29). He owes all this to God. They are a reflection of the splendor of the great Son of David. Hezekiah takes care of safe places for all the treasures, so that the precious does not get into the hands of the enemy.

Spiritually, it means that he is careful not to give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw pearls before swine (Mt 7:6 ; Mt 15:26). All the treasures of God’s Word, the whole counsel of God, are for the whole church (Acts 20:27) and for no one else. The same goes for the water supply that Hezekiah secures when Jerusalem is threatened by Sennacherib (2Chr 32:30; 2Chr 32:2-4). He has prosperity in all his work.

Then comes the test of God leaving him (2Chr 32:31). The reason is the visit from Babylon. God leaves Hezekiah to see how he deals with this visit. Will he give Him the honor of the wonder they come to ask him about? God can sometimes leave a believer to himself, withdraw Himself from him. He knows what is in the heart of the believer, as He knows it of the people (Deu 8:2). But it has to come to light and Hezekiah has to see for himself. Hezekiah must know that pride lurks in his heart. He sees this and humbles himself therefore (2Chr 32:26).

God sometimes has to teach us a lesson. With this in mind, we may pray: “Do not lead us into temptation” (Mt 6:13a). If we fail, it is our fault; if we remain standing, it is God’s grace. It is the same as being lost and being saved.

The chronicler has reached the end of what he wants to tell his readers about Hezekiah. What else Hezekiah has done, especially his “deeds of devotion” (2Chr 35:26), is described in the vision of Isaiah and in the books of the kings of Judah and Israel (2Chr 32:32; Isaiah 36-39). The vision of Isaiah refers to the book of Isaiah (Isa 1:1).

Although Hezekiah failed in the test at the end of his life, his life as a whole was characterized by piety, fear of God. This is also reflected in his burial. That he is buried “in the upper section” is more than just a description of the location. It indicates that his way was a way up, a way up to the LORD.

At his death, “all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem honored him”. They will remember his favors. How good it is to remember at the funerals of leaders what the Lord has given to His people through them.

The son who succeeds Hezekiah, Manasseh, is a very different ‘leader’.