January 20, 2026
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Reading along with us in 2 Kings, Acts, & Hebrews? Here’s today’s reading:
2 Kings 20 (NIV)
Hezekiah’s Illness
1 In those days Hezekiah became ill and was at the point of death. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz went to him and said, “This is what the Lord says: Put your house in order, because you are going to die; you will not recover.”
2 Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord,……Continue Reading
Next: Hebrews 2
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Back: 2 Kings 19
It is difficult to know just what the right path would have been for Hexekiah. It was not wrong for him to ask to be healed (although he could have been more direct), and it was not wrong for God to heal him. Hezekiah asking for a sign rather than just believing God’s word is a bit off. But what a sign is given….time going backwards!!! But it is in the context of the extended time he is given, that Hezekiah makes a big mistake. Now we cannot assume that he was being prideful of all that he had and that is why he showed it to the Babylonian envoy, but it looks like it. It would also make sense that is the reason God comes down on Him for it…but it was also just unwise to do it. His response to the judgment is selfish as well…at least it won’t happen in my time. How common it is that even those who are obedient to God make their mistakes and do what is wrong. That it is why we must be vigilant to always seek God and His ways and operate in the wisdom that He provides and seek the wisdom often.
Finally!! A decent king. Who God blesses. But then his pride overtakes him as he shows messengers from Babylon all his belongings instead of praising God for his reign.
2 Kings 20
2 Kings 20
Hezekiah gets to experience God’s blessing in not only an asked and answered prayer of healing but in an indulgent sign to confirm. God was showing much grace to grant both these things to him and yet rather than being humbled by the gratitude of these blessings pride makes an appearance instead. It is easy to forgot God when things are good, we are blessed, and seemingly doing well but when we are on the mountain we must never forget who put us there because eventually we will be back in a valley and we will want Him then for sure.
Oh Hezekiah, why would you show all your treasure to strangers from a far away land? Was it pride in all that you had? How quickly you forgot that it was God who gave you everything!
Hezekiah is told he will die and he prays and God gives him 15 more years! Is this an example of God changing His mind? I think it is and I don’t think it compromises His Sovereignty at all.
Hezekiah is a good example of a king who is “mostly” good. No one is good enough to earn eternal life apart from Christ, Hezekiah manages to do a little bit better. Unfortunately in his stupidity, pride? Overconfidence? He messes up the future for his sons.