Key Verse: V8 “Then said Hezekiah to Isaiah, Good is the word of the Lord which thou hast spoken. He said moreover, For there shall be peace and truth in my days."
Hezekiah, King of Judah, had hundred of friends yet he chose Merodach-baladan as one of his closest friend and showed him all his treasured possessions!
Who was Merodach-baladan? Merodach-baladan was the King of Babylon, a heathen nation that denied the true and living God. In fact, Merodach means rebel and baladan means anti-God and Merodach-baladan means rebellion against God. What a name!
1. Be Careful
V1 “At that time Merodach-baladan, the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present to Hezekiah: for he had heard that he had been sick, and was recovered.”
V2 “And Hezekiah was glad of them, and shew them the house of his precious things,…”
Hezekiah was so touched by Merodach-baladan’s concern of his health, that he accepted him as his best and trusted friend, though Merodach-baladan was from Babylon, the evil nation who hated God. Hezekiah must have been flattered by Merodach-baladan’s sweet get-well letters and a present which must be an expensive one.
Proverbs 26:28 “A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.”
2. Be Humble
V4 “…And Hezekiah answered, All that is mine house have they seen: there is nothing among my treasures that I have not shewed them.”
How proud can a person be? King Hezekiah showed off all his treasures to Merodach-baladan, who was about to launch his attack upon Hezekiah and his kingdom, Judah. Hezekiah in his pride failed to see that behind the flattering letters and attractive present of Merodach-baladan was a wicked heart waiting to destroy him and his kingdom!
3. Be Selfless
V8 “Then said Hezekiah to Isaiah, Good is the word of the Lord which thou hast spoken. He said moreover, For there shall be peace and truth in my days.”
How selfish can one gets? King Hezekiah was more concerned of himself than his children, grandchildren and descendents. Instead of repenting his sins of pride and expressing remorse and sadness, he was glad that the judgment of God would not be in his reign!
Food for Thought
Be careful of a flatterer.
Posted by: Pastor Davy Sim AT 11:26 am
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Key Verse: V2 “Then Hezekiah turned his face toward the wall, and prayed unto the Lord,”
Hezekiah almost died in sickness and he prayed to God, and God gave him 15 more years! Some people believe that God has already a plan for our life, whether be it our lifespan, life partner, family, career, etc, and we need not pray but just take everything by faith from God. However, from the example of Hezekiah and many other examples in the Bible, we realize that prayer is an integral part of a Christian life. Indeed, prayer is a real test of how much faith and trust we have in our Almighty God.
1. Life extended
V3 “And said, Remember now, O Lord, I beseech thee, how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore.”
Once Hezekiah received the news from prophet Isaiah that he was to prepare himself to die, Hezekiah did not panic or questioned God, but he immediately prayed. The reason why God answered Hezekiah was that he was a spiritual, mature and humble king. When we face crises and even death, let us not panic or question God, but let us immediately pray to God and search our hearts that we be spiritual, mature and humble, and God shall answer our prayers according to His perfect will.
V5 “Go, and say to Hezekiah, Thus saith the Lord, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will add unto thy days 15 years.”
2. Sins forgiven
V17 “Behold, for peace I had great bitterness: but thou hast in love to my soul delivered it from the pit of corruption: for thou hast cast all my sins behind thy back.”
The best answer to Hezekiah’s prayer was that his sins were forgiven! The best comfort and assurance for all Christians is to know that our sins are forgiven and that we are the children of God and are righteous before God because of Christ.
3. City delivered
V6 “And I will deliver thee and this city out of thy hand of the king of Assyria: and I will defend this city.”
Not only Hezekiah’s life was extended and his sins forgiven, his city was delivered from the most aggressive and mighty Assyrian army at that time.
Food for Thought
Work as though everything depends on you and pray as though everything depends on God.
Posted by: Pastor Davy Sim AT 11:26 am
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Key Verse: V15 “And Hezekiah prayed unto the Lord, saying,”
Do you panic and worry when crises come into your life?
V11 “Behold, thou hast heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all lands by destroying them utterly; and shalt thou be delivered?”
Assyria was a powerful nation as they had destroyed all the lands that they invaded. Now they were planning to attack Judah and in every one’s mind, Judah shall surely be defeated by this great and powerful nation. Could Judah overcome the great army of Assyria? In terms of numbers, chariots, weapons, etc, there was no way that Judah could withstand the invasion of Assyria. What could the king of Judah, Hezekiah do?
1. Seek God
V15-16 “And Hezekiah prayed unto the Lord, saying, O Lord of hosts, God of Israel, that dwellest between the cherubims, thou art the God, even thou alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth: thou hast made heaven and earth.”
Hezekiah sought God and prayed to the God of heaven and earth. Hezekiah knew that the God who made heaven and earth was in control of everything in his life and his kingdom. Nothing escapes the eyes of God. God knows who are our enemies and the chief of all our enemies is none other than the devil. Hence, Hezekiah, first priority was to pray to God.
2. Seek Godly Men
V21 “Then Isaiah the son of Amoz sent unto Hezekiah, saying, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, Whereas thou hast prayed to me against Sennacherib king of Assyria:”
Besides praying, Hezekiah sought godly man, Isaiah, as to how he could handle the crisis of the Assyrian invasion. You need to seek wise counsel and advice from godly men, who walk close to God, and they will be able to give you some advice as well as pray for you.
3. Submit to God
V36 “Then the angel of the Lord went forth, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians 185,000: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses.”
Hezekiah submitted to God in his crisis and God destroyed the Assyrians!
Food for Thought
God is the answer to all our crises.
Posted by: Pastor Davy Sim AT 11:25 am
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Key Verse: V7 “But if thou say to me, We trust in the Lord our God: is it not he, whose high places and whose altars Hezekiah hath taken away, and said to Judah and to Jerusalem, Ye shall worship before this altar?”
Hezekiah was a godly King. In spite of the great kingdom of Assyria threatening to invade and destroy Judah, Hezekiah stood firm and trusted the Lord, his God.
1. The world shall fail
V6 “Lo, Thou trustest in the staff of this broken reed, on Egypt; whereon if a man lean, it will go into his hand, and pierce it: so is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all that trust in him.”
Egypt is the world system of finance, trade, commerce and military might. Many in this world trust the world for their careers, jobs and even future, however the world system shall fail them. No matter, how solid Wall Street and the financial system of the world are, they shall collapse one day. No matter, how solid the trade and commerce of the world are, they shall collapse one day. No matter, how solid the military powers of the world are, they shall collapse one day.
2. Man shall fail
V10 “And am I now come up without the Lord against this land to destroy it? The Lord said unto me, Go up against this land, and destroy it.”
The man, Rabshakeh, lied when he said, The Lord said unto me, Go up against this land, and destroy it.” No one teaches a child how to lie, but it is in our human nature to lie, because we are born with a deceitful and wicked heart.
Jeremiah 17:9 “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?”
3. God never fails
V21 “But they held their peace, and answered him not a word: for the king’s commandment was, saying, Answer him not."
Hezekiah, the godly king, knew that Rabshakeh would provoke his representatives, and hence his advice to them was to be silent and not argue with the enemies. Indeed, silence is golden and let us remember to trust God and be still and silent when we are provoked by our enemies.
Food for Thought
Trust God as He never fails.
Posted by: Pastor Davy Sim AT 11:22 am
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Key Verse: V6 “Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert.”
Have you been in the desert? I have just been in the desert in California and it was hot and dry and you wish that are showers of blessings from the sky. As we continued travelling in the desert for a long time, we began to see green shrubs, bushes, trees besides streams of water. Though the prophet Isaiah prophesied this passage in view of the future millennium where Christ shall reign as King of the earth, it is timely for us to know that God is the Stream of Water in our current desert of gloom and doom.
1. When there are Streams there is Hope.
V6 “Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert.”
The Lord Jesus is the Hope of the Stream of Water in the desert of the current doom and gloom.
John 4:14 “But whosoever drinketh of the Water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the Water that I shall give him shall be in him a Well of Water springing up into everlasting life.”
2. When there are Streams there is Holiness.
V8 “And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein.”
The Lord Jesus is the Holiness of the Stream of Water in the desert of the current evil and wickedness in this world. We see evil and wickedness prevailing everywhere and holiness is now a rare commodity and character of any individual including Christians.
2 Timothy 3:1-2 “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,”
3. When there are Streams there is Happiness.
V10 “And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.’
The Lord Jesus is the Happiness of the Stream of Water in the desert of sadness and sorrow in this world. No one except Jesus can give you true happiness and everlasting joy.
Food for Thought
Come to the Stream of Water and you shall never thirst again!
Posted by: Pastor Davy Sim AT 11:22 am
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Key Verse: V2 “For the indignation of the Lord is upon all nations, and His fury upon all their armies: He hath utterly destroyed them, He hath delivered them to the slaughter.”
1. God’s patience has limit.
V2 “For the indignation of the Lord is upon all nations,….”
It was not just one nation but all nations were evil and wicked and God’s indignation shall be upon them. As we heard of the merciless terrorist attack on Mumbai, the heart of India, killing at least a hundred people; the mass demonstration and riots in Bangkok, Thailand, and the many unrest taking place in the world, we can’t help but wonder where is God? However, the prophet Isaiah prophesied that one day God shall judge the wickedness and evil committed by all the nations. Though God is a patient God, His patience has limit and one day, His indignation shall be upon all the nations in the Battle of Armageddon, the final World War!
Revelation 16:14-16 “….to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty……And He gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.”
2. God’s mercy has limit.
V2 “For the indignation of the Lord is upon all nations, and His fury upon all their armies: …”
Even though God is a merciful God but the evil and wickedness that the people committed were so repulsive and severe that God’s fury or great anger was upon all the armies of the world. Immorality, divorce, violence, crimes, alcoholism, drug taking, etc., are increasing at an alarming rate and these sins have become part and parcel of the lives of many people in the world.
3. God’s love has limit.
V2 “For the indignation of the Lord is upon all nations, and His fury upon all their armies: He hath utterly destroyed them, He hath delivered them to the slaughter.”
Even though God is love, yet God’s love has limit when the people refuse to believe in Him and do what is right before God. As a result, God shall judge the nations of the world. It is terrible to be judged of God. Unless, we believe and trust in God and do what is right before Him, we shall be completely destroyed and cast into hell on Judgment Day.
Revelation 20:11-15 “And I saw a great white throne,….And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”
Food For Thought
No one except Jesus can save you during Judgment Day.
Posted by: Pastor Davy Sim AT 11:21 am
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Key Verse: V15 “He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil;”
1. Speak in righteousness
V15 “He that walketh righteously and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes,…”
Are our words blessings or stumbling blocks to others?
Proverbs 15:4 “A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.”
Our tongues can be used of God to win a soul for Him and at the same time, they can also be used of the devil to destroy a soul.
2. Hear in righteousness
V15 “He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, …”
Gossips, slanders, rumors and badmouthing will stop when there are no hearers. Some media even resort to gossips and rumors to make the media more attractive and appealing to their target audiences. In recent time, a Korean actress committed suicide when she was so depressed after hearing gossips about her in the media.
John 10:27 “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me:”
Let us hear God’s voice by reading and meditating God’s Word and by the teaching and preaching of the Word of God in the church of God.
3. See in righteousness
V15 “He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil;”
Are our eyes seeing the things that we should see?
Matthew 5:8 “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.”
When our hearts are pure, we shall see what God sees!
Food For Thought
Speak no evil, hear no evil and see no evil.
Posted by: Pastor Davy Sim AT 11:21 am
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Key Verse: V1 “Behold, a king shall reign in righteousness, and princes shall rule in judgment.”
Are you feeling sad and confused in this world of wickedness and unrighteousness?
Are you feeling insecure and aimless in this ever changing world?
Are you feeling tired and weary in this stressful society?
1. God is your Righteous King
V1 “Behold, a king shall reign in righteousness, and princes shall rule in judgment.”
The ungodly prospers and the righteous suffers and things are getting from bad to worse. Yet in spite of the doom and gloom, God is still in control as He is the righteous King and He is searching for man to follow Him and His righteousness.
Psalms 73:12 “Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches.”
Psalms 73:17 “Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.”
2. God is your Hiding Place
V2 “And a man shall be as an hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest;…”
God is our hiding place and shelter in time of strong winds and great storms if we are to believe in Him. God never fails to protect and guide us in our greatest need and trouble.
Psalms 32:7 “Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah.”
3. God is your Great Rock
V2 “And a man shall be as an hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest; as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land.”
What a promise and an assurance from God that He is our rivers of water and a great rock in a time of thirst, weariness and tiredness! In this world where the only constant is change, God is our great rock that never changes. Let us take comfort to know that things may change, circumstances may change, people may change, our loved ones may change, but God never changes!
Hebrews 13:8 “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.”
Food For Thought
God is our rock when all else is sinking sand.
Posted by: Pastor Davy Sim AT 11:20 am
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Key Verse: V1 “Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because they are many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the Lord!”
Many are seeking success in the wisdom and wealth of this world. We seek to do well in our studies and careers so that we can be recognized for the wisdom and wealth that we have acquired in the world. It was no different for the nation of Israel in the days of the prophet Isaiah.
1. Wisdom shall fail
V1 “Woe to them that go down Egypt for help;…”
Egypt represents the wisdom of the world. Man has been seeking help, counsel and advice from the wisdom of men in their pursuit of knowledge and power. Now there is nothing wrong with the pursuit of academic excellence and the wisdom of men, but the wisdom of the world can never give you the perfect solution to life’s great challenges.
2. Wealth shall fail
V1 “Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because they are many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong;..”
Horses, chariots and horsemen represent the wealth of the world. Man has been seeking the wealth of the world as many believe that the ultimate purpose of life is to be rich and famous. We work day and night to accumulate wealth and this worldly lifestyle has become our way of life. Now there is nothing wrong with the pursuit of wealth but the wealth of the world can never give us true satisfaction, happiness and joy.
3. Word never fails
V1 “Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because they are many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the Lord!”
God pronounced woe or trouble to the nation of Israel as they failed to look to Him for help. Instead of seeking God, many have sought wisdom and wealth, thinking that both can help them solve their crises in life. Sadly, many end their lives when wisdom and wealth were taken from them because their lives were solely centered on them.
Christians, let us remember that the wisdom and wealth of the world shall fail us and only God and His Word shall never fail us!
Psalms 20:7 “Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God.”
Food For Thought
Seek God first and you shall smile the last mile of your way!
Posted by: Pastor Davy Sim AT 11:19 am
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Key Verse: V13 “Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near Me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour Me, but have removed their heart far from Me, and their fear toward Me is taught by the precept of men:”
1. Words
V13 “Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near Me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour Me, but have removed their heart far from Me,…”
Do our words truly come from our hearts?
Talking is cheap, it costs nothing but to mean what we say costs us a lifetime of humbling and learning. The days of prophet Isaiah were no different from today. The people were religiously going to the temple of God, offering their sacrifices, worshipping and praising God with their mouths and lips, yet their hearts were far from God. Their words were not from their hearts but they were just going through the motion or routine of praising God!
2. Worship
V13 “….and their fear toward Me is taught by the precept of men:”
Do our worship truly comes from our hearts?
The people of Israel were worshipping God to demonstrate to others how pious, holy and religious they were. Even though their hearts were far away from God yet they pretended to worship God weeks after weeks, months after months, years after years! There was no fear of God in them but they were worshipping God for their own reputation and ego. This is why God chastises Israel and gives them no peace and joy in their hearts until they repent of their hypocrisy.
John 4:23 “But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship Him.”
3. Wisdom
V14 “Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvelous work among this people, even a marvelous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid.”
Do our wisdom truly comes from our hearts?
The hearts of the nation of Israel were far from God and whatever they plan or do were from their worldly wisdom and not of God’s wisdom. It is very easy to conform with the worldly wisdom and live like the world. It is very easy to say like the world, “let’s divorce and part our ways as we are no longer in love.”
One of the hardest tests of a Christian is to live for God, obey His Word and be different from the world. Yet when we truly obey God, He shall do a marvelous work in our lives.
Food For Thought
The Heart of the matter is the matter of the Heart.
Posted by: Pastor Davy Sim AT 11:18 am
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