“They saw everything in my palace,” Hezekiah said. “There is nothing among my treasures that I did not show them.” (Isa. 39:4)
The silvered head bent over the keyboard while his mind mulled words for their effect. Tired eyes scanned for the hundredth time the black letters summing up his life’s work. Politics and age were against him, and necessity forced him to look for a new step in his profession at a time when he should have been settled career-wise. The specter of a new and outside power structure meant that every past project was scrutinized, every past decision analyzed minutely, and every spent dollar counted for stewardship. This piece of paper was meant to capture what he had to offer, but it felt more like vulnerable exposure of the past and the future.
The leaders of Babylon came for a state visit. Hezekiah, king of the small nation of Judah, was aware of their power. Perhaps he wanted to show the blessings received from God. More likely he was awed and intimidated. Rather than wisely looking to God as provider of resources and power, he focused on impressing men. Isaiah asked Hezekiah pointed questions, but Hezekiah didn’t seem to realize his foolishness.
Isaiah confronted the king with the reality of his vulnerability. Time does not always heal or improve us on its own; development takes intentionality. Rather than focus with God on the future, Hezekiah settled for less in the present.
Power struggles rarely result in quiet equity.
Sandy Emmett is the Wellness Synergist for Global Partners. She grew up as a MK, learning language in several countries in Europe and Africa. She loves reading, walking/hiking, traveling to new places, and—her new granddaughter.
© 2020 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
