2 Kings 20:13, Hezekiah’s Death-Bed Blunder
Hezekiah received the messengers and showed them all that was in his storehouses–the silver, the gold, the spices and the fine oil–his armory and everything found among his treasures.
//Once upon a time, king Hezekiah fell sick, and was told by the prophet Isaiah that he would not recover. Word of Hezekiah’s terminal illness got around, and one day the prince of Babylon sent an envoy bearing a gift to the king’s palace.
In the mean time, Hezekiah prayed to God and God said he would extend Hezekiah’s life fifteen years. So, when the prince of Babylon arrived, Hezekiah was no longer on his death bed. Spry and happily recovered, he cheerily decided to give the prince a royal tour. Hezekiah showed him all of his riches … silver, gold, spices, fine oil, and all his treasures. He even showed the prince his armory.
Then Hezekiah died, and you all know what happened next. Back came the Babylonians, this time bearing swords, not gifts. Having scoped out the enemy, they conquered Hezekiah’s kingdom and plundered all of his riches.
Question: Did God let Hezekiah live only so that he would commit a horrible tactical blunder?
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Fantasy Football, Anyone?
Put on the whole uniform of the Team, that ye may be able to stand against the blitz of oncoming linebackers. Don the hip pads of truth, the shoulder pads of righteousness, the cleats of preparation. Don’t forget the facemask of faith and the helmet of salvation. Then clutch the pigskin with much Spirit, for that is what the Play Book of your Coach in Heaven demands.The River of Life
Twice before Lee Harmon has written about Christian topics, once on the gospel of John and once on the book of Revelation. But the question people keep asking him is this: As a liberal Christian, why do you care so much about the Bible? Others wonder whether he is truly a Christian at all.
The Way It Happened
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| Revelation: A love story gone awry. | The Gospel: A love story set aright. |
What really happened 2,000 years ago? How did a persecuted minority of end-time believers known as Christians, with their dreams of Armageddon and a conquering Messiah named Jesus, evolve into the largest religion in the world? Author Lee Harmon explores the period in which the New Testament was written in his books about John's Gospel and Revelation.
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Lee Harmon interviewed on The God Show about the History Channel's miniseries The Bible and Lee's latest book, John's Gospel: The Way It Happened.
About Lee
Hello! I'm an author, historical Jesus scholar, book reviewer, and liberal Christian, which means I appreciate and attempt to exercise the humanitarian teachings of Jesus without getting hung up on any particular supernatural or religious beliefs.
The Bible is a magnificent book that has inspired and spiritually fed generations for thousands of years, and each new century seems to bring a deeper understanding of life’s purpose. This is true of not only Christianity; through the years, our age-old religions are slowly transforming from superstitious rituals into humanitarian philosophies. In short, we are growing up, and I am thrilled to be riding the wave.
I avidly read all thought-provoking religion titles. New authors: I'd love to read and review your book!
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About Leslie
Hi! While Lee writes the articles and reviews the books, I edit, organize, and maintain the blog. The views expressed here are Lee's but I'm his biggest supporter! :-)
Christians today often lament the lack of miracles like “in Bible times” but this story may illustrate the reason for that.
Hezekiah 1) had been cured miraculously 2) guaranteed 15 more years of life 3) 185,000 Assyrians were slaughtered in a mighty victory and 4)the sun had moved for him. Despite all the miracles when God gave him center stage to witness to the Babylonians all he can talk about is stuff. Hezekiah had one of the best opportunities in all of history to teach others, the ambassadors of a great kingdom, about the one true God but wasted it by showing off his stuff.
Christians today want miracles but have zero interest in sharing with the Buddhists, Hindus, and Muslims that live in the same ignorance as the Babylonian ambassadors. This same principle is in Mark 1:37-38. Folks were anxious for Jesus to stay and keep doing more miracles but he left them because people in darkness deserve miracles before people in the light. Miracles serve little purpose in the grand scheme of the Great Commission than to bring attention to the message of the messenger.