Humility Leading to Life

2 Chronicles 32:24-33

    24 In those days Hezekiah was sick and near death, and he prayed to the LORD; and He spoke to him and gave him a sign. 25 But Hezekiah did not repay according to the favor shown him, for his heart was lifted up; therefore wrath was looming over him and over Judah and Jerusalem. 26 Then Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart, he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the wrath of the LORD did not come upon them in the days of Hezekiah.

    27 Hezekiah had very great riches and honor. And he made himself treasuries for silver, for gold, for precious stones, for spices, for shields, and for all kinds of desirable items; 28 storehouses for the harvest of grain, wine, and oil; and stalls for all kinds of livestock, and folds for flocks. 29 Moreover he provided cities for himself, and possessions of flocks and herds in abundance; for God had given him very much property. 30 This same Hezekiah also stopped the water outlet of Upper Gihon, and brought the water by tunnel to the west side of the City of David. Hezekiah prospered in all his works.

    31 However, regarding the ambassadors of the princes of Babylon, whom they sent to him to inquire about the wonder that was done in the land, God withdrew from him, in order to test him, that He might know all that was in his heart.

    32 Now the rest of the acts of Hezekiah, and his goodness, indeed they are written in the vision of Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, and in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel. 33 So Hezekiah rested with his fathers, and they buried him in the upper tombs of the sons of David; and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem honored him at his death. Then Manasseh his son reigned in his place.

Hezekiah was deathly sick when he prayed (Isaiah 38:1-5) for more time as he reminded the LORD of his past faithful heart towards Him.  The LORD had granted fifteen more years to the king, but his heart was still full of pride which brought the impending wrath of God near His people, especially in Jerusalem of Judah.  Finally, Hezekiah humbled himself and the judgment of that due wrath was delayed in Hezekiah’s days.  This king had many riches and possessions which God had given him, and all he did prospered in return for Jerusalem, God’s people, and the king.  Where Hezekiah ultimately failed, however, was in boasting to the Babylonian ambassadors of that prosperity and showing them all the treasures to later bring them as conquerors.  His pride retuned in this area as part of God’s plan to pass judgment on His people after His promised peace to Hezekiah ended past his death and his son Manasseh took over on the throne.  What lesson is here for us?  That pride must lead to repentance in order to be fruitful in the Lord (Proverbs 18:12, 28:13, 1 John 1:9, 2:16-17, Romans 8:13, 1 Corinthians 10:12, 1 Timothy 6:17), otherwise our haughtiness will dry up our fruit to God in Christ by working against His Spirit’s working in us.  Confession of sin in humility leads to sanctification prospering in our life, just as it did in our salvation.  He will lift up the humble (1 Peter 5:5-7, James 4:10).  Remember Hezekiah for humility leading to life.