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2 Kings 20:12 It sounded so reasonable at the time - Day 311

Good afternoon friends,

Westminster Shorter Catechism question 39. What is the duty God requires of man? Answer the duty God requires of man is obedience to His revealed will.  God's revealed will is the moral law.  Adam had one law - don't eat from that tree.  He failed.  Moses gave Israel the ten commandments which they generally failed to do.  But these failures were still part of God's sovereign will.  Man can fail to obey the moral law, but he cannot get outside of God's sovereign will.  Glory by to God.

Blessings,

Jeff

Another interesting episode in the life of Hezekiah.  A predecessor of Nebuchadnezzar sends envoys to Hezekiah because his illness had been reported all the way to Babylon.  Hezekiah tries to impress the envoys by showing all his riches.  

Solomon had done much the same when the queen of Sheba came for a visit.  So he had some president for his actions.

David had sent envoys to a neighboring kingdom when their king died.  The son disgraced the envoys.  Again, there is a president for receiving envoys with respect.

So what is different about this occasion?  

Despite some "good" kings including Hezekiah, the downward slide of Judah has continued.  Of course, none of this is a surprise to God.  This is an example of convergence of foolish choice of a man and wise plan of God.  Hezekiah freely tries to impress a pagan nation which is the means by which God's plan to send Judah into exile is clearly announced.  If Hezekiah had not done this, Judah was still going to wind up in exile in Babylon.  However, God is sovereign over the means as well as the ends.  Hezekiah is morally accountable for his actions even though they are what God ordained to happen.

In terms of temptation, Hezekiah was lured and enticed by his desire to look good to the king of Babylon.  Instead of being content with his place, he gives into the temptation.

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