Royalty and Ruin

Hezekiah’s Tragic Pride

But pride and vanity took possession of Hezekiah’s heart. In self-exaltation the king “showed them the house of his treasures—the silver and gold, the spices and precious ointment, and all his armory—all that was found among his treasures. There was nothing in his house or in all his dominion that Hezekiah did not show them.” Isaiah 39:2. He did not stop to consider that these men from a powerful nation did not have the love of God in their hearts and that it was unwise to show them the temporal riches of the nation. RR 125.6

The visit of the ambassadors was a test of Hezekiah’s gratitude and devotion. “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.” 2 Chronicles 32:31. If Hezekiah had borne witness to the goodness and compassion of God, the report of the ambassadors would have been like light piercing darkness. But he magnified himself above the Lord of hosts, “for his heart was lifted up.” Verse 25. RR 125.7

How disastrous the results! To Isaiah God revealed that the king of Babylon and his counselors would plan to enrich their own country with the treasures of Jerusalem. Hezekiah had sinned disastrously. “Therefore wrath was looming over him and over Judah and Jerusalem.” Verse 25. RR 126.1

“Then Isaiah the prophet went to King Hezekiah, and said to him, ... ‘What have they seen in your house?’ So Hezekiah answered, ‘They have seen all that is in my house; there is nothing among my treasures that I have not shown them.’ Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, ... ‘Behold, the days are coming when all that is in your house, and what your fathers have accumulated until this day, shall be carried to Babylon; nothing shall be left,’ says the Lord. ‘And they shall take away some of your sons ...; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.’” Isaiah 39:3-7. RR 126.2

Filled with remorse, “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.” 2 Chronicles 32:26. But the evil seed he had sown would yield a harvest of woe. His faith would be severely tried, and he was to learn that only by putting his trust fully in Jehovah could he triumph over the powers who were plotting his ruin and the destruction of his people. RR 126.3