After King Hezekiah’s miraculous recovery from his illness, he received a seemingly friendly visit from representatives of the king of Babylon. He welcomed them and showed them all his riches and rare treasures (13). Hezekiah really should have known that this kind of showing-off would trigger the envy and greed of any worldly king. But his pride in his earthly wealth caused him to act foolishly. Hezekiah was one of the most godly kings to rule in Judah, but he was still a sinner like all of us.

When Isaiah heard of what the king had done, he came with a dark prophecy of how the Babylonians would be instruments of God’s judgment against Judah. The devastation that they would bring would be even greater than what the Assyrians did, and this judgment would come against Hezekiah’s own descendants (17-18).

Hezekiah said that the word of the Lord through Isaiah was good, but inwardly he was indifferent, because this punishment would not come in his lifetime (19). If Hezekiah had instead earnestly repented, perhaps God would have done even greater things through him.
Application: Father, forgive me for my desire to show off. Help me boast only in you, and not put my trust in riches but in your promise only.
One Word: Showing off is sin