DAY 285

WHAT IS THE POINT?

Isaiah 37 & 38 and Colossians 3

My post today is short. I am struck by a few things. First, Hezekiah is fully turning to the Lord—no more Egypt—no more diplomacy with Assyria. He literally goes to the House of God and spreads the letter from his aggressor before God and cries out. He, as it were, puts his trouble literally before the Lord and the Lord God answers.

In the past I would have concluded that because Hezekiah reached out to God, God then gave Hezekiah what Hezekiah wanted. That is “bad theology—bad math.” Do not add those things together and as some absolute formula that will always work. The bottom line is the Judah will fall, just not today. So what is the point? The point is what God is most pleased with is that Hezekiah has come back to Him; come home as it were. Yes God delivers Hezekiah, but a close read of the text shows that God has done this because Sennacherib has openly spoken against God and God’s people—God is getting justice against Sennacherib for God’s glory, not for Hezekiah. Yes Hezekiah will benefit, and yes God is answering Hezekiah’s prayer…but what if He did not answer that prayer, would God still be pleased that Hezekiah came to Him—absolutely.

In Colossians 3 we are told to “put on Christ”—we are to be so closely united to God, that we are wrapped in all his attributes. That is what Hezekiah was trying to do and it pleased God. So then the point is to put Him on and let Him rule your heart.

Sorry for the short post, just a really long day.