Chapter 370 of 1163

2 Chronicles 32

Testings usually come after times of great blessing, and Hezekiah faced three of them.

War. After other times of awakening, the nation was given protection and rest from enemies (2 Chron. 15:15; 20:29–30), but this time, God allowed the enemy to come in. God was testing the faith of the king and the people to see how deep it really was. It is one thing to participate in a huge religious meeting, but quite something else to have your land invaded and your capital city threatened.

Sickness. Hezekiah’s illness was both a national and a personal crisis, for he did not have any sons to take the throne. God had promised that David’s family would never lack for a man on the throne, so Hezekiah prayed that he might be able to live and have a son.

Honor. Hezekiah weathered the invasion and the illness, but he capitulated to pride. It began when he failed to thank God for sparing his life, and apparently even God’s chastening did not cure him. The extent of his wealth and the praises of the visiting dignitaries made Hezekiah proud, and God had to deal with him.

We have learned that if Satan cannot conquer us when he comes as the lion (1 Pet. 5:8), he will come again as the serpent (2 Cor. 11:1–3). You may be in greater danger when things are going well than when you are fighting a battle, so keep alert.

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