Have you ever heard of a wicked father who had an exceptionally good son, but then in turn the good man had an exceptionally wicked son? It sounds incredible, doesn't it? But it happened to three successive kings of Judah, Ahaz, Hezekiah and Manasseh. Hezekiah was the son of Ahaz, the king who led Israel into idolatry. The Bible says regarding Ahaz: "In his time of trouble he became even more unfaithful to the Lord." (2 Chronicles 28:22) Yet his son Hezekiah, the next king, was true to Israel's God. Hezekiah wrote Psalm 46. What a contrast! But what happened next? Hezekiah's son was Manasseh. He became king when he was 12 years old and reigned for 55 years but was possibly the worst king Judah ever had. How do you explain these all? Between Ahaz and Manasseh there was 29-year reign of King Hezekiah. He was a great reformer, a remarkable man of learning and culture. He collected the latter part of Proverbs and possibly put together much of the Old Testament. He was a great engineer and built tunnels and aqueducts for the water supply for Jerusalem. Above all he appeared to have been an exceptional man of prayer, even though in his later life, when human pride and weakness became his temporary downfall. Coming to the throne at the age of 25, Hezekiah immediately began a complete restoration of the temple and true worship. What a record to leave behind! He led the people back to God and was God's man for that hour. What work does God have for you or for me just now? Is there a need of revival among God's people? Can we pray for that? Is there anything we can do to help bring it about? Where does it start? In me? In you? Are we willing for this? Can we say "Lord, send a revival. Let it begin in me". |
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