From generation to generation


I just finished a set of devotionals for November going through the book of 2 Chronicles.

One of the important things I learned was through the life of Hezekiah and his children.

King Hezekiah of Judah was one of the greatest kings in Judah's history.

In 2 Kings 18:3-7 (I also read the book of 2 Kings, which is to a significant extent a parallel record of the events in Chronicles), the Bible records that Hezekiah "did what was right in the eyes of the Lord... Hezekiah trusted in the LORD, the God of Israel. There was no one like him among all the kings of Judah, either before him or after him. He held fast to the LORD and did not cease to follow him; he kept the commands the LORD had given Moses. And the LORD was with him; he was successful in whatever he undertook."

Hezekiah was faithful to God, obedient in following His instructions and he was successful in whatever he did! 2 Kings 18 goes on to describe Hezekiah's great victory against all odds, over Sennacherib, the king of Assyria. 2 Kings 20 describes yet another great miracle in Hezekiah's life where the LORD healed him of his illness and gave Hezekiah the sign of moving the sun back 10 paces!

Yet towards the end of his reign, Hezekiah heard a disturbing prophecy (2 Kings 20:12-18) where Isaiah the prophet declares that all the treasure in the temple will be carried off by Babylon, and that Hezekiah's descendants will suffer exile. Hezekiah's reaction is somewhat odd "The word of the LORD you have spoken is good" Hezekiah replied. For he thought, "Will there not be peace and security in my lifetime?" (2 Kings 20:19).

And indeed there was peace and security in this great king's lifetime.

Hezekiah's son Manasseh succeeded him, and the Bible records that he rebuilt the altars to Baal and high places that his father had destroyed, put an Asherah pole in the very temple of the LORD and even sacrificed his own son in the fire. 2 Kings 21 records that Manasseh did "more evil than the Amorites who preceded him" and that as a result, the LORD would "wipe out" Jerusalem. Verse 16 records that Manasseh shed so much innocent blood that he "filled Jerusalem from end to end, and led the entire nation into sin.

The about turn in spiritual climate between father and son is astonishing. From a king beyond compare in obedience to the LORD and success to a king who is remembered only for filling Jerusalem from end to end with innocent blood and sin.

This reminds me that I have a great responsibility to the generations who will come after me, starting with my own children. Even if the LORD is gracious enough to give me "peace and security" in my lifetime, this can turn around very quickly for the next generation. For all the good things and obedience that Hezekiah demonstrated, somehow this was not transmitted to his son. By God's grace, I will be empowered to teach my children, and lead by example, so that they will continue in the blessing of following on in the centre of His will.

Dear God, help me to preserve the inheritance of the Spirit in my family so that from generation to generation, we will serve you and glorify Your Name!

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