Loving What Your Getting and Losing Your Calling

The kings of Israel's final years seem to resemble in their own spiritual life the reality of the Nation's spiritual life. That is, the older they get, the more tempted they are to develop a proud heart and neglect the worship and purposes of God. This theme repeats in even the great Kings of Judah - such as in the latter part of Hezekiah's life. 

2 Chronicles 32:24–25 (ESV) In those days Hezekiah became sick and was at the point of death, and he prayed to the LORD, and he answered him and gave him a sign. 25 But Hezekiah did not make return according to the benefit done to him, for his heart was proud. Therefore wrath came upon him and Judah and Jerusalem.

Hezekiah had been tremendously helped and saved by God. He was also wonderfully used of Him. He reestablished proper worship and the celebration of Passover. He had called out to God for deliverance from Assyria and God answered him miraculously. He literally brought Israel back from certain doom. He fulfilled God's great purposes.

So it is with intrigue we see him growing prideful and detached later in life. But if we back up just a bit in the text we can see why:

2 Chronicles 32:23 (ESV) And many brought gifts to the LORD to Jerusalem and precious things to Hezekiah king of Judah, so that he was exalted in the sight of all nations from that time onward.

Then later in the chapter:

2 Chronicles 32:27–28 (ESV) And Hezekiah had very great riches and honor, and he made for himself treasuries for silver, for gold, for precious stones, for spices, for shields, and for all kinds of costly vessels; 28 storehouses also for the yield of grain, wine, and oil; and stalls for all kinds of cattle, and sheepfolds.

Hezekiah's devotion to God's purposes in his early life yielded great financial and material prosperity in his later life. And it was this increase that caused his heart to grow proud and turn from the Lord. Even when he was sick and decreed to die, his prayers were answered and God saved him. But still, he did not give back to God as much as he should have for the miraculous answer to prayer he received. 

VERSE 25 But Hezekiah did not make return according to the benefit done to him, for his heart was proud. 

It is a common theme in the narrative of God's great men and women. Prosperity later in life is often the downfall of the man's former passion for God. And we do well to see this lesson repeated in scripture again and again and again for it would be our story as well if we are not careful. 

Hezekiah was so overly confident in himself that when envoys from Babylon came to inspect the land for an eventual siege in the future, he willingly showed them all they desired to see - the treasure and spoils available. This act was very grievous to the Lord but 2 Chronicles has an interesting take on the event:

2 Chronicles 32:31 (ESV) And so in the matter of the envoys of the princes of Babylon, who had been sent to him to inquire about the sign that had been done in the land, God left him to himself, in order to test him and to know all that was in his heart.

What we find out is that all that has taken hold of Hezekiah's heart was self-love only concerned with his status and welfare. He is not the king for the people, he is only king of the people.

What Hezekiah reminds us is that we can quickly lose our sense of calling in God's purpose when prosperity comes and we grow more attached to what He's given than to what He's asked of us. Future generations in Hezekiah's line will suffer on account of his choices. Let us fail to follow him in this regard, look to the true King FOR the people and hold our hands open that His goodness might flow from us to others.

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