Friday, January 22, 2016

Year 6, Day 22: Isaiah 38

Theological Commentary: Click Here


Discipleship Focus: Character

  • Character: Having the interior life that is necessary to support the work that God sets before a person.  It is hearing from God and obeying.  It is doing the right thing when nobody is looking.

Hezekiah’s character is on full display in this chapter.  Hezekiah is told that he is going to die.  He decides to repent, fully confessing his humanity.  He places his life in the hands of God.

God responds.  God gives Hezekiah 15 more years.  Hezekiah proceeds to use the time wisely in order to produce an heir so that the line of Judah could continue.  He makes copies of the Law so that as the people are saved from Assyria God’s ways could be taught to those Jews who were not dragged off into captivity.  Hezekiah makes the most of his time.  He shows character by responding when God gives him a second chance.

However, I think there is an even bigger display of character than what we see in his actions.  If we look at the song that Hezekiah composes, we hear that Hezekiah actually looks upon his illness with joy.  Hezekiah realizes that his illness – even the pronouncement of his upcoming death – was for his benefit.  Because he was told that he was going to die, his life completely changed.  How do we know that Hezekiah is a man of character?  When faced with a life changing situation, rather than grumbling and complaining Hezekiah allows his life to change and praises God for the opportunity.

<><

No comments:

Post a Comment