EVERYTHING RISES AND FALLS ON LEADERSHIP

I’ve been known to ask the congregation to turn to the book of Hezekiah.  It’s fun to watch them try to find a book that doesn’t exist.  I know – dirty trick.

However, there was a king of Israel by that name.  The story of his reign can be told in several short vignettes.

BIG TROUBLE

Sennacherub, king of Assyria, brought a mighty army and set siege against Jerusalem.  This struck fear into the hearts of all the people;  they knew they were going to be crushed.  In a meeting between the leaders (that took place near the city wall), the Assyrians spoke loudly enough (in Hebrew) for the people to hear them.  They were extremely intimidating.  They assured the people that there was no way possible for them to survive.  They tried to convince them to surrender, promising that they would be set free to roam in the wilderness. 

The Assyrian messenger gives a VERY INTIMIDATING warning for them to just surrender:

· You’re weak – “You’re no match for my weapons.”
· Don’t lean on Egypt – they’re weak!
· Don’t pull the ‘We’re leaning on GOD’ card.
        >  Hezekiah just closed all of the places of worship.
        >  Besides, “It was your GOD who told me, Make war on this land. Destroy it.”

As a final threat he told them that if they resisted, they would soon be eating their own excrement and drinking their own urine! 

When the summit ended and the report was brought to Hezekiah, he put on sack cloth and ashes and went to prayer.  Then he encouraged all the people to do the same. 

As a result, Isaiah the prophet came to the king with the following message:

“God’s Message:  Don’t be upset by what you’ve heard, all those words the servants of the Assyrian king have used to mock me.  I personally will take care of him.  I’ll arrange it so that he’ll get a rumor of bad news back home and rush there to take care of it.  And he’ll die there.  Killed – a violent death.”

That’s exactly what happened – and Jerusalem was delivered!

UH OH!

Sometime later, Hezekiah got sick.  God sent Isaiah to him and told him to get his house in order because he was going to die.  Hezekiah prayed:

“God, please, I beg you: Remember how I’ve lived my life. I’ve lived faithfully in your presence, lived out of a heart that was totally yours. You’ve seen how I’ve lived, the good that I have done.” And Hezekiah wept as he prayed—painful tears.

God sent Isaiah back to tell Hezekiah that He heard his prayer and saw his tears and that he would live for another fifteen years.

FOOLISH DECISIONS!

A little later, the King of Babylon sent an envoy to visit Hezekiah and present him with gifts, having heard that he’d been sick.  Hezekiah proudly gave them the royal tour, showing them all his treasures, silver, gold, spices, expensive oils and all his weapons. 

After hearing of this, the prophet Isaiah pronounced: 

…the time is coming when everything in this palace, along with everything your ancestors accumulated before you, will be hauled off to Babylon. God says that there will be nothing left. Nothing. And not only your things but your sons. Some of your sons will be taken into exile, ending up as eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.”

Hezekiah replied to Isaiah, “Good. If God says so, it’s good.” Within himself he was thinking, “But surely nothing bad will happen in my lifetime. I’ll enjoy peace and stability as long as I live.”

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How could a man be so wise in one situation and so foolish in another? 

God had given Hezekiah a great gift of grace by causing the Assyrian army to suddenly leave and abandon their attempt to overthrow Jerusalem.

Then, God gave Hezekiah another great grace gift by promising to extend his life for another fifteen years! 

On the heels of this, Hezekiah reveals the wealth and pride of Jerusalem to the visitors from Babylon!

If that wasn’t enough, he shows complete nonchalance by comforting himself that at least during his lifetime he would rule in peace.  No concern at all is expressed for his sons and the future of his kingdom! 

There are special lessons here for leaders, but there are also lessons for all of us.

      1.      God responds to our prayers (and fasting).

2.      When He does, it is appropriate to express heartfelt gratitude!

3.      All of us should seek and depend on wisdom from God;  however, it’s all the more important for leaders to do so!

4.      Finishing well is vital!  Hezekiah started good, but finished poorly.  He allowed himself to become self-focused.  He quit caring about his family and his nation.  His life does not have a happy ending.