WHO CARES - AS LONG AS I'M OK

I've just finished reading Isaiah 36-39.  King Hezekiah was a good ruler.  He listened to God and honored the prophet of God.  He prayed privately and in public.  He worshiped regularly.  He put his trust in God and led the people to do so as well. 

He lived in a tough time.  The Assyrian king, Sennacherib, came against Jerusalem with a massive army.  Sennacherib was a bully who had conquered many other nations and expected to easily roll over Jerusalem.  However, King Hezekiah called on God to deliver him and his people.  God sent a angel through the Assyrian army and killed 185,000 soldiers.  Sennacherib packed up and left!

Around this time, Hezekiah became very sick.  Isaiah, the prophet, visited him and told him:  (38:1  LB)

"Set your affairs in order, for you are going to die;  you will not recover from this illness."

As Isaiah left, Hezekiah prayed:  (v.3)

"O Lord, don't You remember how true I've been to You and how I've always tried to obey You in everything You said?" 

God heard Hezekiah's prayer and immediately sent Isaiah back in to tell him that he would live for another fifteen years. 

Soon after this the King of Babylon sent ambassadors to visit Jerusalem and Hezekiah.  Hezekiah foolishly showed them all of his riches. 

Isaiah came to visit again and told him that because of his unwise actions all of this wealth would eventually be carried off to Babylon - including his own sons. 

Hezekiah's response is the low-point of his life:  (v.8)

"All right.  Whatever the Lord says is good.  At least there will be peace during my lifetime!"

Those are his last recorded words in the Bible!

At this stage of the game, Hezekiah had quit caring about others - even his own family.  Instead of repenting, he acquiesced.  Instead of calling on God for forgiveness - he caved. 

Finishing well is SO IMPORTANT!!!  Don't give up!  Stay faithful!  Be quick to repent!  Keep caring!  God has done great things in your life - AND HE'S NOT DONE YET!!!!!!