Isaiah 39 -- What Pride Did

Having recovered from being near death, Hezekiah was thrilled to feel well enough to be back on his throne.  The Babylonians – at that time not yet even considered a world power – saw their opportunity and sent their crown prince with a gift to celebrate Hezekiah’s recovery.  Hezekiah didn’t seek God’s guidance on this, however.  He failed to see that this was a reconnaissance mission, and his pride led him to fully disclose the wealth Israel had accumulated over the centuries.

My commentary said, “When Satan cannot defeat us as a roaring lion, he comes as a deceiving serpent.  What Assyria couldn’t do with weapons, Babylon did with gifts.  God permitted the enemy to test Hezekiah so that the proud king might learn what was really in his heart … The king was basking in fame and wealth and apparently neglecting his spiritual life.  Hezekiah was safer as a sick man in bed than as a healthy man on the throne.  Had he consulted first with Isaiah, the king would have avoided blundering as he did.”

Father, I’ve seen pride do terrible things to people – even to those I love.  It causes us to think much more highly of ourselves and less respectfully of You.  Please make such behavior abundantly clear to each of us and help us to admit how this deadly sin so deceitfully attacks us.  Humble us and cause us to seek only Your will in our lives.

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford