The Truth will Set You Free! John 8:31-59

What is Truth?

John 18:38 - Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all.

Each one of us depends on truth and though many view it as relative; there can be no absolutes, no answers, and no trust without it.

Many times we try to define truth as an inanimate fact, one that is, well it’s true.  But what really is truth?  Maybe we need to instead of looking at truth as fact, look at truth as a person.  

John 14:6 King James Version (KJV)

6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.  Jesus Christ is the embodiment of truth and in him we will be made free!

Points to Gather:

• There were Jews that believed on Jesus
• Believing on Jesus is different than being a disciple of Jesus
• Matthew 7:21-23 King James Version (KJV)
• 21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
• 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
• 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
• James 2:19 King James Version (KJV)
• 19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
• There are followers that just follow the crowds, or they might follow the guy with the most charisma.
• A follower might follow action, but they will never be a part of the real experience unless they take initiative to get involved.
• Continuing in Jesus’ Word defines His disciple
• What does it mean to “Continue” in Jesus’ Word?
• Is a surface reader “continuing” Jesus’ Word?
• What about one who studies Jesus’ Word with a preconceived notion about the meaning?
• What about one who will not apply The Word to his personal life?
• One who continues in the word will be one who is a disciple of it, and even though the word doesn’t explicitly cover an issue of life, they will be one who takes principle and applies the principles of the word to every area of his/her life.

• What is a disciple?
• A disciple is more than just a student
• A disciple adheres to the teachings of another making them his rule for life including conduct
• A disciple’s life is completely committed to the teachings of his master/teacher
• John 6:66
• A disciple will live sacrificially, submitting his will to that of his master/teacher
• Galatians 2:20
• Psalm 1:1-6 King James Version (KJV)
• 1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
• 2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
• 3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
• 4 The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.
• 5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
• 6 For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

Bondage is always predicated on lies.

Satan is the father of lies.

Satan is the master of enslavement.

How does knowing truth make you free?

• Truth is a Redeemer!  
• How many times (don’t answer) have we lied, shaded the truth, or been hypocrites to protect our “honor” and when we came out with the truth; we felt relief?
• Truth always produces openness!
• Since Jesus is the Truth and our Redeemer, knowing Him will redeem our lives from bondage and destruction.
• Is this just a matter of being like, Oh yeah, I know that guy;  or does knowing mean something deeper?
• Many times the Bible uses the word knowing to describe something much more than an acquaintance of someone or something.  The word “know” is used at times to describe an intimate relationship between husband and wife.
• The word “know” is also used to describe and intimate or personal attachment to ideas, things and people.  
• Matthew 12:33 King James Version (KJV)
• 33 Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit.
• The whole purpose of Jesus coming to earth was for the sake of relationship, and why wouldn’t that include a restoration of an intimate relationship with an Almighty God or the Word of Life?

Somehow the Jewish leader’s picked up on this idea that Jesus was trying to indicate they were in bondage and He was indeed.  They felt if they would claim their birthright by Abraham, that would substantiate their next claim that they were never in bondage to any man.  

Let’s look at the facts though and see how far their physical bondage went.

• Throughout history the Jewish people would follow God and then fall away and some of the people they were in physical to were: The Egyptians (at the time of Moses), The Philistines (as early as the Judges), The Assyrians (at the time of Daniel), The Persians (at the time of Esther), The Greeks (at the time of the Maccabean Revolt), and the Romans (at that current time).  So this statement that they were never in bondage to any man was Lies, Lies, Lies;

Their bondage was at this time was not just a physical bondage, but they were also under a spiritual bondage.  The had organized a religion that was based on what God showed them, and had turned it into a mechanical machine with no life.

Their perception of themselves was that they would never admit they were in bondage and therefore could never be made free.

Jesus saw right through the bunny trail they tried to send Him on, and brought them right back to the point.  The main bondage that Jesus is interested in freeing you from is the spiritual bondage that we all find ourselves in at one point or another.

Jesus went right from hearing their excuse about being Abraham’s children to giving a valuable lesson on sin.  The Covenant that God has with Abraham and his children was given with many promises.  There was a physical heritage there was a part of that covenant and a spiritual heritage.  The Pharisees and the Sadducees assumed that the two heritages were mutually one and inherited by them just because they were children of Abraham.  The Bible is clear that they are indeed a different  heritage with the spiritual heritage being given to those of faith.

God is not interested in a mechanical religion that merely obeys His word by the letter; rather, He wants an obedient heart that willingly has submitted to His word.

Jesus brings them back to the statement that Abraham is their father and tries to help them understand that they are involved in sins at which Abraham would have been appalled.  Jesus very clearly indicated to them that their deeds, their works were not a part of the Abrahamic Covenant.

The Jewish Leaders had murder on their heart and would do what was right in their own eyes fulfilling within themselves the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.  Though they sacrificed many things “for the sake of God”, they in effect had made their god themselves and did what they did to be seen of men.  

Jesus pointed this out indicating to them that what they were doing was a product of allowing the devil to be their illegitimate father.

The Pharisees began to catch on to where Jesus was headed and they began to accuse Him of being a product of an illegitimate union.  Then to try to justify their statement they tried to claim God as their Father.  The irony of this situation is astounding.  

If Jesus would have said that God was His Father, to them that would have been blasphemy, but now here they are making that claim, when in fact even their lives don’t match up with that claim.

The truth is, that Jesus came from God and now has gone to God.  As Jesus pointed out to them, if they are claiming to be children of God, then they would strive to do the will of their Father, but the reality is that they were indeed doing the will of their father and he is the devil.

Jesus initiated a challenge to them.  It was as though He was saying; look, what I am saying and what you are saying are two different things, but you have yet to find me in sin.  He then points out to them that if they really are of God, then they would hear God’s Words.  Their actions speak for themselves.

That made their blood begin to rise and they accused Him of being a half-breed Samaritan as well as having a devil.

As Jesus spoke with them He tried to help them to see who He was, but they had Him in a box thinking that the Messiah would do things that Jesus was not doing.  Their assumptions of who Jesus was supposed to be was not based on the prophetic word, but on a constructed thought process based on their worldview.

Jesus made the statement “Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death”.  This angered them some more and they began to compare Jesus against Abraham and the prophets.  Jesus wanting to bring them to Himself said to them; in my own words, if I would say that I don’t know the Father, I would be just like you and be a liar.

The statement that Jesus made that before Abraham was “I Am”, was understood by all of them there.  Jesus was making a claim to deity.  God was known by their ancestors as the I AM, and so they understood Jesus’ claim.  The Jewish leaders then took stones to throw at Jesus.  This indicates that murder was indeed in their hearts, and that Jesus wasn’t just saying things off the cuff.

What does it mean that Jesus is the I AM?

Jesus is the fulfillment of everything, every promise, and that everything points to Him.

Contending For The Faith

Jude

"Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints."

Background:
This Epistle was recognized as being authentic by the early Church Fathers such as Clement of Alexandria, and Tertullian. As time went on, however, it became a topic of major dispute for its direct quote from the Book of Enoch and its paraphrased quote about Michael the archangel and the devil disputing over the body of Moses.

This is one of the only letters that is included our Biblical canon that starts out with the author identifying as a servant of Jesus Christ and as a brother of a more well known individual. Jude was kind of an obscure person up to this point and Biblically there isn’t much information about him. James on the other hand had become the leader of the church and often presided over meetings.

So what moved Jude to write this letter?
2 Peter 1:21
21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

2 Timothy 3:16-17
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

Jude, the brother of James, had a burden on his heart for the church. His Epistle was not addressed to any particular congregation, but was meant to be a letter that called the churches to holiness.

*****
What is the Common Salvation that Jude began to write about?

The word “common” is taken from the Greek word Koinos. The meaning of the word is shared by all or by several. When Jude references a “Common Salvation” He is not referring to a Salvation that is so ordinary that everyone has it, rather, he is indicating the availability of it. Now granted, he is writing to the churches, and hopefully the congregants would have been born unto the Common Salvation. If there is a common Salvation, then surely there is a common Savior!

Titus 1:4
4 To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.

Romans 1:16
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

1 John 2:2
2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

Acts 4:12
12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

This Common Salvation is available to all Romans 1:16, and in 1 John 2:2 it is necessary for all, and in Acts 4:12 it is the only way! We have a common Savior in Jesus!

Contend for the Faith
The word “contend” is taken from a Greek word that means to struggle. This gives the picture of a battle and according to Ephesians 6:10-21, we have been given tools that coincide with our battle for faith. There is a thought process that has to take place as we fight which is found in Romans 12:1,2. Our mind must be renewed, our selves must be given as a complete sacrifice to our God and cause.

Contending for the faith means to struggle, to strive with an adversary, to labor fervently for the faith. There are more variations of the faith today than ever before, and as time goes on, that will continue to increase. We are not just fight for our own faith as that would be presumptuously selfish, but are fighting, struggling for the faith of the world. Many times we become an island to ourselves and only think of things that pertain to us, but we should always go back to the beginning and remember that someone cared that our lack of faith became real faith. With more people in the world and more variations of the gospel, the potential for being deceived is increasing. Hebrews 10:25 reminds us to continue meeting with fellow Christians.

The U.S. Military uses a marketing technique that draws people in. They herald the idea that you can serve a cause bigger than yourselves. This speaks to a lot of people and they will join the army, because they want to be a part of cause that is bigger than themselves.

This is the same reason “exaggerated” of course that terrorists/radical religions will sacrifice themselves spilling that last full measure in devotion to the cause of their religion.

While I have used physical army/battle analogies, it is not a physical battle we face, but a spiritual one. Satan has declared war first of all on the first creation of man, and now on the second creation of man. As children of a New Covenant, we all have targets on our back, and yet we do not feel the heat of the battle. We have become numb to the fight as we succumb to the lies our culture feeds us. Instead of turning the culture upside down, the church is being stood on its head, and the valuables are being shaken out of it pockets one by one.

When it gets to the point that the church cannot call sin as sin; this is part of the tolerant doctrine that has swept across the culture and has invaded the church’s territory.

Spiritually, as Christians, we have become lazy, our lives are more about our comfort physically/or and emotionally and we are not willing to fight spiritually for the faith that was once delivered to the saints.

The Faith That Was Once Delivered unto The Saints
Are we fighting for the purity of the Gospel? Again, this is not about us, but about the message of God! Jesus personally handed this message down to his followers of His day, but now, Jesus’ followers are to be handing this message of Salvation to others in its original purity. What are we doing to maintain that same level of purity in the message we hand to the next person?

Does studying Counterfeits help?
That may help you understand how to reach those deceived in that falsehood.

We should study the real thing.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

What about Study helps?
My personal preference is to read them but not really study from them. I feel that we have so many study helps available to us, and not all of them are good. We become like the authors of anything we read because we are spending time with them and their minds. Their thought process and their belief system all are present in their books whether study helps or not.

Case in Point - So many Study helps yet the plight of the church is more alarming than ever. People are lonely in crowds, some know that God is where to find the answers and they are looking for them, but for now they don’t have them; The church is more focused inwardly than outwardly. The church is more focused on an individual’s issues than on the world’s path of despair. It has become self-centered.

I do not mean to say churches do nothing for God, but can they do more?

Men Crept in Unawares
“Certain Men crept in unawares”.
The church was sleeping and messengers of the devil infiltrated their midst. Their message was one of licentiousness behavior and spiritual laziness. We call this a message of hyper grace. This is a message when grace cannot be violated by your sinful acts. This message denies the Father and the Son.

These messengers were not ordained by God for this message, but the message they took up was already ordained for condemnation.

The true Gospel will always call sin as sin even when committed by a person who has received the gift of God and has tasted of His goodness.

This message that these false teachers were preaching was turning the grace of God into lasciviousness which gave way to licentiousness behavior. Romans 6:1-18 Sin is still sin no matter who commits it and sin will keep you out of heaven.

God Destroyed Them That Believed not
Can a person who has once believed become an unbeliever? Yes, they can! The Israelites were saved passed through the Red Sea and baptism yet because of their unbelief or lack of complete trust they were not heirs of the promise.

God rescued the Israelites from the Bondage that Egypt had place on them. Though they had seen God work in a mighty way in their behalf, they fell time and again to unbelief. God’s people today have also been miraculously saved from bondage, and yet time and again they fall to unbelief. Paul said, “I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached unto others, I myself should be a castaway. 1 Corinthians 9:27

These false teachers speak evil of things they don’t know about. They are not experiencing the true Gospel yet they feel comfortable speaking against it. Their message is full of what they know, selfishness and corruption.

Cain, Balaam, and Korah each took their own way, going against God’s ordained way. They each professed to be religious, but had chosen to rebel against God’s way. 2 Timothy 3:5 Each man was focused on himself instead of serving God and others.

Spots In Your Feasts of Charity
Something that could be beautiful like a feast of love or a communion service can be tarnished by false teachers who have in effect ripped the heart out of the Gospel.

In Revelations 2:6 it talks about the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes and how God hated their deeds. What was this doctrine?

Nicolas was one of the deacons ordained in Acts 6:5. He was a converted pagan who had changed his religion twice. He was a pagan that was proselytized into judaism and then converted into christianity. He had been steeped into the occult and according to historians had brought some of those practices into the church. His doctrine was one of compromise.

Compromise is always rooted in selfishness and when it is present in the church the end result will always be death.

The fact that they murmur and complain means they do not trust God. They value their own lusts and other’s admiration over God’s approval. Such a value system put pleasing self first and pride is at the root of it.

Psalm 121:5 We know that the Lord is our keeper, but He cannot be our keeper unless we willingly allow Him to be our keeper. Our hearts must be in harmony with His heart. 1 John 5:21 Acts 15:29 We need to build ourselves up in the faith. 2 Peter 3:17-18

*****
Hebrews 2:3
2 Peter 2:10-19
John 14:6
2 John 4
3 John 3
Galatians 3:1
Ephesians 4:14
Hebrews 10:25
Romans 6:22
Amos 4:11
Zechariah 3:2
1 Timothy 6:12
Hebrews 7:25
Psalm 86:11
John 8:32
1 Corinthians 6:20
1 Corinthians 7:23
Romans 9:29
Ezekiel 16:49
Hebrews 11:4
1 Corinthians 11:20-22
Deuteronomy 33:2
Matthew 25:31
Romans 1:19-31
Galatians 5:19-21
1 Timothy 4:1-5
2 Timothy 3:1-9
2 Peter 2:1-22
2 Peter 3:1-4
1 John 2:18-19
Romans 16:25
2 Timothy 1:12
Ephesians 3:20
Hebrews 2:18
Philippians 3:21

Zechariah 3:1,2
1 And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him.
2 And the Lord said unto Satan, The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan; even the Lord that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?

‪#‎licentiousness‬ ‪#‎lasciviousness‬ ‪#‎Jude‬ ‪#‎falseteachers‬ ‪#‎compromise‬‪ #‎Salvation‬

Fellowship, Its Source, Its Conditions, and How it Plays Out

Conditions of Fellowship
1 John 1, 2

The Fellowship of Christ

The Source of Fellowship

Genesis 1:1, 2, 26
1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth

Taking a look at Genesis 1:1, 2, 26 we are actually transporting ourselves back into a time when there was nothing, nothing but God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Without going into a huge discussion as to whether there was just one God or three gods, we will just say at this moment that God existed in three Persons. The existence of God by His own nature was Unity, Communion, and Fellowship even before the world itself had been created.

Reading through Genesis 1, John 1, and Revelation 1 while comparing it to our study today and its text of 1 John 1 and then for good measure we through in verses like John 1:12, John 3:16 and John 10:9-10 we begin to recognize that life, all life has existed eternally with God, and that our believing in God the Son (Jesus Christ) will give us power to become a son of God.

Our text for this study refers to the Word of Life that was seen with the author’s eyes, and was touched by his hands. This shows that this is no ordinary word, book, etc…. The Word of Life as described here in 1 John 1:1 and in John 1:1 indicates something far more intriguing than some inanimate word. What we see is a Person (yes, even part of the Godhead) that is known and understood as the Word. It is when He speaks that things happen and specifically in regards to the study today, when He speaks life into the heart and soul of all who have believed on his name, life will begin to bloom for an eternity.

As a son or daughter of God we now have access to an eternal life which can be experienced here in this life or in the future.

Eternal life is not necessarily a physically eternal life, but is spiritual. The course of all mankind shall indeed come upon us and our bodies shall lie beneath the ground until that great day when our Savior shall return in His Glory and our bodies though they be decayed shall be lifted to meet our spirits in the air!

John 1:12
12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

John 3:16
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

John 10:9-10
9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

The Webster definition of fellowship is as follows:
1
: companionship, company
2
a : community of interest, activity, feeling, or experience
b : the state of being a fellow or associate
3
: a company of equals or friends : association
4
: the quality or state of being comradely
5
obsolete : membership, partnership
6
a : the position of a fellow (as of a university)
b : the stipend of a fellow
c : a foundation for the providing of such a stipend

Biblical Fellowship is defined by a deep relationship with one another, not just based on standards accepted by society such as block parties, college frats, or even mere communication. Biblical Fellowship is a communication of your soul and spirit with another person on a deep spiritual level.

When we say that we have Fellowship with God are we just sitting down with him over a cup of morning joe with His word and reading a bit and then going away and saying, “wow, that was great”? Now don’t get me wrong, having a cup of coffee on hand while reading the Bible is not necessarily wrong, but it seems to be somewhat impersonal, especially when trying to hear what Almighty God has to say to us today.

A lot of our communication with each other is merely surface. If we even talk with each other face to face anymore, we may ask each other how we are doing, or what’s going on in your life, but to have a spiritual communion is almost unheard of in today’s churches. I believe that this is a result of our relationship with God being surface as well, we go through the motions of what seems to be expected, but our heart’s need is not really met. We just pass it off as, well sure I had my devotion today. “WHAT IS DEVOTION ANYWAY?”

The Conditions of Fellowship

Many people would get all excited about this and start spitting out Bible verses like Matthew 7:1. While it is true, we are not to be judges 1 Timothy 5:20 offers a narrative that indicates that sin must be dealt with. I have heard all kinds of justifications for sin including, “their spiritual indicator levels are not as tuned as yours”. That may be my brothers and sisters, but then what about discipleship? Do we have a plan in place for discipleship training? Are we striving to bring our brothers and sisters that are weaker in faith to a place where God’s name can be glorified through their life of holiness?

When these verses in 1 John talk about abiding in Christ, it means we are tapped into his power and authority and will walk as Jesus walked, Holy and Blameless before the Father.

So who has the greater sin? The brother who can’t get victory over his sin, or the church who refuses to acknowledge that discipleship is instituted by God for the furtherance of His Great Name?

1 John 2:4
4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.

Walking in Fellowship

Here are some pointers that show whether you “know” God.
John 13:35
35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

1 John 2:3-12
3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.
6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
7 Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning.
8 Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth.
9 He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now.
10 He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.
11 But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.
12 I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake.

There is a number of things these verses point out that are indicators of where we are in relation to our Fellowship with God or whether we really know Him.

They are as follows:

• If we have love one for another
• If we keep his commandments
• He/she will walk as Jesus walked
• He/she will have compassion on his brother/sister
• He/she will abide in the light - will not live in darkness

What does it mean to hate your brother? Does it mean for you to narrow your eyes at him every time he walks by and wish he we in another church or maybe even dead? Does hating your brother mean that you have despised him?

How is the word abideth used in 1 John 2:6?
The word abideth has the meaning of dwelling, sojourning, to stay continually, a permanent place of abode including in Christ.
We may claim to be abiding in Christ, but by analysis are we? Is abiding in Christ something that happens automatically by saying a little prayer? Are we abiding in Christ when we have obvious split focus?

1 John 2:6
6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

True Christian Fellowship will never be reached unless we are abiding in Christ and He is our only focus!

‪#‎fellowship‬ ‪#‎abidinginchrist‬ ‪#‎devotion‬ ‪#‎discipleship‬ ‪#‎communion‬‪#‎comradeship‬

Pride threatens Successful Leaders ~2 Kings 20

2 Kings 20

Proverbs 28:26 He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.

Text for Study
*2 Kings 20 (2 Kings 20:1-7, 12-21)

Up to Date
The Prophet Elisha had raised the Shunammite woman’s son to life at about 849 BC. Today, the element of our study is Hezekiah’s reign into which we are jumping into the part of his life that he is dying. The actual dates are a little confusing because he reigned alongside his father toward the beginning of his reign and then alongside Manasseh toward the end of his reign. Hezekiah was overall considered a good king as he re-instituted worship of God in Judah, by tearing down the altars and re-initiating the Passover, yet; as today’s study will point out, he had one flaw. Hezekiah appears in our study as being childless, at least at the start of it. He died in 687 BC

Hezekiah, having done all sorts of good things like bringing revival to Judah, and re-establishing the ancient traditions of worship toward God; found himself in a place where he lay dying.

This is an intriguing part of his life as so much mystery surrounds it. Josephus refers to the sickness as distemper and is described by him as being severely discouraged because he had no child to succeed him on the throne.

2 Kings 20:1-11 In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz came to him, and said unto him, Thus saith the Lord, Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live. 2 Then he turned his face to the wall, and prayed unto the Lord, saying, 3 I beseech thee, O Lord, remember now how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore. 4 And it came to pass, afore Isaiah was gone out into the middle court, that the word of the Lord came to him, saying, 5 Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the captain of my people, Thus saith the Lord, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee: on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of the Lord. 6 And I will add unto thy days fifteen years; and I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for mine own sake, and for my servant David's sake. 7 And Isaiah said, Take a lump of figs. And they took and laid it on the boil, and he recovered. 8 And Hezekiah said unto Isaiah, What shall be the sign that the Lord will heal me, and that I shall go up into the house of the Lord the third day? 9 And Isaiah said, This sign shalt thou have of the Lord, that the Lord will do the thing that he hath spoken: shall the shadow go forward ten degrees, or go back ten degrees? 10 And Hezekiah answered, It is a light thing for the shadow to go down ten degrees: nay, but let the shadow return backward ten degrees. 11 And Isaiah the prophet cried unto the Lord: and he brought the shadow ten degrees backward, by which it had gone down in the dial of Ahaz.

It is interesting to me how our record of Hezekiah up to this point is that of a good king and by all appearances has a good heart as well, but Isaiah, the Prophet of God comes in to tell him to get ready you are going to die. Hezekiah’s house was not in order.

There were things he needed to take care of so God’s people wouldn’t be left without a leader. There were things he needed to take care of spiritually in his own life before dying.

Was Hezekiah’s Prayer for healing wise? What can we learn from this?
If Hezekiah had died in this initial bout of sickness there would be so much that we wouldn’t know about him. Is it wrong to pray for healing? No, that isn’t even scriptural. Yet, though Hezekiah was considered a good king; there was an underlying character trait that plagued him throughout the latter end of his life. Hezekiah was a proud, selfish man which we see in this passage and others like it. Hezekiah wanted God to remember him for all the good he did during his life and honor him for it.

Do we ever pray that God would remember our works and bless us for our faithfulness? What about asking God to physically bless us because we have been faithful up to now. What would we do with the blessing? Would we honor God with it?

2 Chronicles 32:25 “But Hezekiah rendered not according to the benefit done unto him; therefore his heart was lifted: therefore there was wrath upon him, and upon Judah and Jerusalem.”

Hezekiah did not become a better man for his extension of life, rather he had become focused on himself and how he thought things should be. When he was faced with the destruction of Jerusalem and his actual death, he was pleased that Jerusalem would not be destroyed during his time. Though he had set Jerusalem up for its destruction through his bad choices, he refused to recognize his sin.

Compare 2 Kings 20:3 with the prayer of the publican in Luke 18:9-14 9 And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: 10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. 12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. 13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

What purpose did putting the figs on the boil serve?

God often chooses to use natural means to bring healing; even Jesus used mud to bring healing to a blind man. But in some other examples in scriptures, God simply spoke and healing came.

It would seem then that God uses natural means when they best suit His purpose. Hezekiah wanted a sign to be sure of God’s promise, he wanted evidence. Might this be the reason why God chose to use figs? We should not depend on a sign or on the medicine to be healed, but God who gave the healing. While figs are very healthy for you, I am not aware of any topical ointment that is made from figs that works on boils or distemper. I think that God wanted this to be clear to Hezekiah, This is my doings, not yours. Hezekiah had seemingly missed the point so far and was focused on all he had done for God rather than what God had done through him. Through this it seems as though God was trying to show him that he, Hezekiah was helpless without God’s help.

Isaiah 42:8 “I am the Lord; that is My name. And My glory will I not give to another, neither My praise to graven images.”

“What Have They Seen in Thy House?”

2 Kings 20:12-15 12 At that time Berodachbaladan, the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present unto Hezekiah: for he had heard that Hezekiah had been sick. 13 And Hezekiah hearkened unto them, and shewed them all of his precious things, the silver, and the gold, and the spices, and the precious ointment, and all the house of his armor, and all that was found in his treasures: there was nothing in his house, nor in all his dominion, that Hezekiah shewed them not. 14 Then came Isaiah the Prophet unto king Hezekiah, and said unto him, What said these men? and from whence came they unto thee? And Hezekiah said, They are from a far country, even from Babylon. 15 And he said, What have they seen in thine house? And Hezekiah answered, All the things that are in mine house have they seen: there is nothing among my treasures that I have not shewed them.

The word Letter as used in 2 Kings 20:12 is defined in Hebrew as this:
סֵפֶר çêpher, say'-fer; or (feminine) çiphrâh; (Psalm 56:8 (H9)), from H5608;
properly, writing (the art or a document); by
implication, a book:—bill, book, evidence, × learn(-ed) (-ing), letter, register, scroll.

The word Present as used in 2 Kings 20:13 is defined in Hebrew as this:
מִנְחָה minchâh, min-khaw'; from an unused root meaning to apportion H4503
, i.e. bestow; a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually bloodless and voluntary):—gift, oblation, (meat) offering, present, sacrifice.

The word Hearken as used in 2 Kings 20:13 is defined in Hebrew as this:
שָׁמַע shâmaʻ, shaw-mah'; a primitive root; to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.):—× attentively, call (gather) together, × carefully, ×certainly, consent, consider, be content, declare, × diligently, discern, give ear, (cause to, let, make to) hear(-ken, tell), × indeed, listen, make (a) noise, (be) obedient, obey, perceive, (make a) proclaim(-ation), publish, regard, report, shew (forth), (make a) sound, × surely, tell, understand, whosoever (heareth), witness.

What weakness did Hezekiah reveal when he showed ambassadors from Babylon all that he had?

Hezekiah revealed that he enjoyed praise even if it came from the heathen. When a king showed his wealth and his treasures to another king from another place, it was usually for the wow factor. This only would breed jealousy and covetousness in the hearts of the visitors as they would go back home and think about it. As Isaiah prophesied to Hezekiah, the king of Babylon would remember this and come back to get it. Most likely the king of Babylon had sent his ambassadors to give a show of joy at Hezekiah’s restored health to actually do a little sleuthing to find out the secrets of the kingdom.

How did God test Hezekiah?
God wanted to confirm where he thought Hezekiah’s heart was so He allowed the ambassadors from Babylon to come test Hezekiah. Hezekiah forgot that everything he had came from God.

Hezekiah had been a successful leader. What are some of the temptations that are unique to successful leaders?

The temptation is there to think of one’s self more highly than he ought to think. Through Hezekiah’s reign the blessing of God had returned to Judah as he obeyed God’s Voice and destroyed the idolatry out of the land.

“Hear The Word of The Lord”

2 Kings 20:16-21 16 And Isaiah said unto Hezekiah, Hear the word of the Lord. 17 Behold, the days come, that all that is in thine house, and that which thy fathers have laid up in store unto this day, shall be carried into Babylon: nothing shall be left, saith the Lord. 18 And of thy sons that shall issue from thee, which thou shalt beget, shall they take away; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon. 19 Then said Hezekiah unto Isaiah, Good is the word of the Lord which thou hast spoken. And he said, Is it not good, if peace and truth be in my days? 20 And the rest of the acts of Hezekiah, and all his might, and how he made a pool, and a conduit, and brought water into the city, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah? 21 And Hezekiah slept with his fathers: and Manasseh his son reigned in his stead.

After reading this account in 2 Chronicles 32 which is as follows we see things a little differently than we do if we read 2 Kings 20.

2 Chronicles 32:1-33 After these things, and the establishment thereof, Sennacherib king of Assyria came, and entered into Judah, and encamped against the fenced cities, and thought to win them for himself. 2 And when Hezekiah saw that Sennacherib was come, and that he was purposed to fight against Jerusalem, 3 He took counsel with his princes and his mighty men to stop the waters of the fountains which were without the city: and they did help him. 4 So there was gathered much people together, who stopped all the fountains, and the brook that ran through the midst of the land, saying, Why should the kings of Assyria come, and find much water? 5 Also he strengthened himself, and built up all the wall that was broken, and raised it up to the towers, and another wall without, and repaired Millo in the city of David, and made darts and shields in abundance. 6 And he set captains of war over the people, and gathered them together to him in the street of the gate of the city, and spake comfortably to them, saying, 7 Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him: for there be more with us than with him: 8 With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the Lord our God to help us, and to fight our battles. And the people rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah king of Judah. 9 After this did Sennacherib king of Assyria send his servants to Jerusalem, (but he himself laid siege against Lachish, and all his power with him,) unto Hezekiah king of Judah, and unto all Judah that were at Jerusalem, saying, 10 Thus saith Sennacherib king of Assyria, Whereon do ye trust, that ye abide in the siege in Jerusalem? 11 Doth not Hezekiah persuade you to give over yourselves to die by famine and by thirst, saying, The Lord our God shall deliver us out of the hand of the king of Assyria? 12 Hath not the same Hezekiah taken away his high places and his altars, and commanded Judah and Jerusalem, saying, Ye shall worship before one altar, and burn incense upon it? 13 Know ye not what I and my fathers have done unto all the people of other lands? were the gods of the nations of those lands any ways able to deliver their lands out of mine hand? 14 Who was there among all the gods of those nations that my fathers utterly destroyed, that could deliver his people out of mine hand, that your God should be able to deliver you out of mine hand? 15 Now therefore let not Hezekiah deceive you, nor persuade you on this manner, neither yet believe him: for no god of any nation or kingdom was able to deliver his people out of mine hand, and out of the hand of my fathers: how much less shall your God deliver you out of mine hand? 16 And his servants spake yet more against the Lord God, and against his servant Hezekiah. 17 He wrote also letters to rail on the Lord God of Israel, and to speak against him, saying, As the gods of the nations of other lands have not delivered their people out of mine hand, so shall not the God of Hezekiah deliver his people out of mine hand. 18 Then they cried with a loud voice in the Jews' speech unto the people of Jerusalem that were on the wall, to affright them, and to trouble them; that they might take the city. 19 And they spake against the God of Jerusalem, as against the gods of the people of the earth, which were the work of the hands of man. 20 And for this cause Hezekiah the king, and the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz, prayed and cried to heaven. 21 And the Lord sent an angel, which cut off all the mighty men of valour, and the leaders and captains in the camp of the king of Assyria. So he returned with shame of face to his own land. And when he was come into the house of his god, they that came forth of his own bowels slew him there with the sword. 22 Thus the Lord saved Hezekiah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem from the hand of Sennacherib the king of Assyria, and from the hand of all other, and guided them on every side. 23 And many brought gifts unto the Lord to Jerusalem, and presents to Hezekiah king of Judah: so that he was magnified in the sight of all nations from thenceforth. 24 In those days Hezekiah was sick to the death, and prayed unto the Lord: and he spake unto him, and he gave him a sign. 25 But Hezekiah rendered not again according to the benefit done unto him; for his heart was lifted up: therefore there was wrath upon him, and upon Judah and Jerusalem. 26 Notwithstanding Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart, both he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the wrath of the Lord came not upon them in the days of Hezekiah. 27 And Hezekiah had exceeding much riches and honour: and he made himself treasuries for silver, and for gold, and for precious stones, and for spices, and for shields, and for all manner of pleasant jewels; 28 Storehouses also for the increase of corn, and wine, and oil; and stalls for all manner of beasts, and cotes for flocks. 29 Moreover he provided him cities, and possessions of flocks and herds in abundance: for God had given him substance very much. 30 This same Hezekiah also stopped the upper watercourse of Gihon, and brought it straight down to the west side of the city of David. And Hezekiah prospered in all his works. 31 Howbeit in the business of the ambassadors of the princes of Babylon, who sent unto him to enquire of the wonder that was done in the land, God left him, to try him, that he might know all that was in his heart. 32 Now the rest of the acts of Hezekiah, and his goodness, behold, they are written in the vision of Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, and in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel. 33 And Hezekiah slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the chiefest of the sepulchres of the sons of David: and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem did him honour at his death. And Manasseh his son reigned in his stead.

When the Word of the Lord came to Hezekiah through Isaiah, he found out that God was not pleased with his heart’s condition and that because of his sin, Jerusalem would be destroyed even if it would not be during his time. Hezekiah responded by saying “Good is the word of the Lord which thou hast spoken. And he said, Is it not good, if peace and truth be in my days?” Hezekiah didn’t seem to catch on very fast. His words just oozed of selfishness as if he had a no-care attitude toward the suffering the Israelites would suffer due to his sin. As long as he escaped he thought, but he goes down in history as a good king turned selfish.

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