prophets and kings-第60章
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soul。
〃O Lord； by these things men live； And in all these things is the life of my spirit： So wilt Thou recover me； and make me to live。
〃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。
〃For the grave cannot praise Thee； Death cannot celebrate Thee： They that go down into the pit cannot hope for Thy truth。
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〃The living； the living； he shall praise Thee； As I do this day： The father to the children shall make known Thy truth。
〃The Lord was ready to save me： Therefore we will sing my songs to the stringed instruments All the days of our life in the house of the Lord。〃 Isaiah 38：10…20。
In the fertile valleys of the Tigris and the Euphrates there dwelt an ancient race which； though at that time subject to Assyria； was destined to rule the world。 Among its people were wise men who gave much attention to the study of astronomy； and when they noticed that the shadow on the sundial had been turned back ten degrees； they marveled greatly。 Their king； Merodachbaladan； upon learning that this miracle had been wrought as a sign to the king of Judah that the God of heaven had granted him a new lease of life； sent ambassadors to Hezekiah to congratulate him on his recovery and to learn； if possible； more of the God who was able to perform so great a wonder。
The visit of these messengers from the ruler of a far…away land gave Hezekiah an opportunity to extol the living God。 How easy it would have been for him to tell them of God； the upholder of all created things； through whose favor his own life had been spared when all other hope had fled！ What momentous transformations might have taken place had these seekers after truth from the plains of Chaldea been led to acknowledge the supreme sovereignty of the living God！
But pride and vanity took possession of Hezekiah's heart； and in self…exaltation he laid open to covetous eyes the
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treasures with which God had enriched His people。 The king 〃showed them the house of his precious things； the silver； and the gold； and the spices； and the precious ointment； and all the house of his armor； and all that was found in his treasures： there was nothing in his house； nor in all his dominion； that Hezekiah showed them not。〃 Isaiah 39：2。 Not to glorify God did he do this； but to exalt himself in the eyes of the foreign princes。 He did not stop to consider that these men were representatives of a powerful nation that had not the fear nor the love of God in their
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hearts； and that it was imprudent to make them his confidants concerning the temporal riches of the nation。
The visit of the ambassadors to Hezekiah was a test of his gratitude and devotion。 The record says； 〃Howbeit in the business of the ambassadors of the princes of Babylon； who sent unto him to inquire of the wonder that was done in the land； God left him； to try him； that He might know all that was in his heart。〃 2 Chronicles 32：31。 Had Hezekiah improved the opportunity given him to bear witness to the power； the goodness； the compassion； of the God of Israel； the report of the ambassadors would have been as light piercing darkness。 But he magnified himself above the Lord of hosts。 He 〃rendered not again according to the benefit done unto him； for his heart was lifted up。〃 Verse 25。
How disastrous the results which were to follow！ To Isaiah it was revealed that the returning ambassadors were carrying with them a report of the riches they had seen； and that the king of Babylon and his counselors would plan to enrich their own country with the treasures of Jerusalem。 Hezekiah had grievously sinned； 〃therefore there was wrath upon him； and upon Judah and Jerusalem。〃 Verse 25。
〃Then came Isaiah the prophet unto King Hezekiah； and said unto him； What said these men？ and from whence came they unto thee？ And Hezekiah said； They are come from a far country unto me； even from Babylon。 Then said he； What have they seen in thine house？ And Hezekiah answered； All that is in mine house have they seen： there is nothing among my treasures that I have not showed them。
〃Then said Isaiah to Hezekiah； Hear the word of the
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Lord of hosts： Behold； the days come； that all that is in thine house； and that which thy fathers have laid up in store until this day； shall be carried to Babylon： nothing shall be left； saith the Lord。 And of thy sons that shall issue from thee； which thou shalt beget； shall they take away； and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon。
〃Then said Hezekiah to Isaiah； Good is the word of the Lord which thou hast spoken。〃 Isaiah 39：3…8。
Filled with remorse； 〃Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart； both he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem； so that the wrath of the Lord came not upon them in the days of Hezekiah。〃 2 Chronicles 32：26。 But the evil seed had been sown and in time was to spring up and yield a harvest of desolation and woe。 During his remaining years the king of Judah was to have much prosperity because of his steadfast purpose to redeem the past and to bring honor to the name of the God whom he served； yet his faith was to be severely tried； and he was to learn that only by putting his trust fully in Jehovah could he hope to triumph over the powers of darkness that were plotting his ruin and the utter destruction of his people。
The story of Hezekiah's failure to prove true to his trust at the time of the visit of the ambassadors is fraught with an important lesson for all。 Far more than we do； we need to speak of the precious chapters in our experience； of the mercy and loving…kindness of God； of the matchless depths of the Saviour's love。 When mind and heart are filled with the love of God； it will not be difficult to impart that which
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enters into the spiritual life。 Great thoughts； noble aspirations； clear perceptions of truth； unselfish purposes； yearnings for piety and holiness； will find expression in words that reveal the character of the heart treasure。
Those with whom we associate day by day need our help； our guidance。 They may be in such a condition of mind that a word spoken in season will be as a nail in a sure place。 Tomorrow some of these souls may be where we can never reach them again。 What is our influence over these fellow travelers？
Every day of life is freighted with responsibilities which we must bear。 Every day； our words and acts are making impressions upon those with whom we associate。 How great the need that we set a watch upon our lips and guard carefully our steps！ One reckless movement； one imprudent step； and the surging waves of some strong temptation may sweep a soul into the downward path。 We cannot gather up the thoughts we have planted in human minds。 If they have been evil； we may have set in motion a train of circumstances； a tide of evil； which we are powerless to stay。
On the other hand； if by our example we aid others in the development of good principles； we give them power to do good。 In their turn they exert the same beneficial influence over others。 Thus hundreds and thousands are helped by our unconscious influence。 The true follower of Christ strengthens the good purposes of all with whom he comes in contact。 Before an unbelieving； sin…loving world he reveals the power of God's grace and the perfection of His character。
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Chapter 30
Deliverance From Assyria
In a time of grave national peril； when the hosts of Assyria were invading the land of Judah and it seemed as if nothing could save Jerusalem from utter destruction； Hezekiah rallied the forces of his realm to resist with unfailing courage their heathen oppressors and to
