As you read through Isaiah, there are some great passages. I’m about to hit some of them soon. but there are also some confusing ones-not confusing in the sense of “I don’t understand what it is saying”-but confusing in the sense of “How can this happen?”

A case in point is Isaiah 38-39. In chapter 38 King Hezekiah is on his death bed.  A boil seems to have ravaged his body to the point of death (39:21; 2 Kings 20:7). Hezekiah prays (more like wails) and God hears his prayer. He promises Hezekiah 15 more years of life (2 Kings 20:6).

But in those 15 years, two things happen which taint Hezekiah’s legacy.

1. He lets his head get too big. His pride is such that he opens his treasuries and shows the representatives from Babylon all he has (2 Chron. 32:25). Isaiah rebukes him and tells him that someday Babylon will come and carry away all his treasures.

2. Manasseh is born. One of, if not the most ungodly of kings, is born during the additional 15 years. A son like him is sure to taint a legacy.

Not all that happened during that 15 years is bad. For more on Hezekiah, I encourage you to read 2 Kings 20 and 2 Chronicles 32.

What a picture of contrasts don’t you think? A man who cries out to God for more time is given 15 more years. While he did some good things, Hezekiah is often remembered for his two missteps: pride gone awry and a wayward son.

What confuses me, of course, is his inability to acknowledge God’s answered prayer by a humble spirit. But I guess I should not be too shocked. I’m the same way. Blessed beyond measure, I sometimes fail to say thanks, but also take credit for my “state” and lose sight of where it came from. My pride rears its ugly head and I decide to do things my way. EPIC. FAIL.

“Father, may I humble myself before You and remember where it all came from.  Please help me to not lose sight of that truth.”