Hezekiah’s House of Precious Things were not really precious at all but it took a chastening rebuke from the Lord by the prophet Isaiah to expose the king’s foolishness and return him to trust in God. For believers the gospel and God’s grace and the Lord Jesus Christ Himself have all become precious and we have come to learn that we who are His are the Lord’s own House of Precious Things.

Gal 2:1  Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also.

Gal 2:2  And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain.

Gal 2:3  But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised:

Gal 2:4  And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:

Hezekiah is reprieved from his illness and imminent death but the lesson for us today is not simply that he lived a further fifteen years. We see in the king’s prayer how he traced his blessing to God’s covenant grace, God’s love and forgiveness and trusted God for everlasting spiritual life as well as his extra years in this world. Hezekiah was a believer who proved the Lord to be faithful in all His ways.

Gal 1:17  Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which

Gal 1:18  Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem

Gal 1:19  But other of the apostles saw I none, save

Gal 1:20  Now the things which I write unto you,

Gal 1:21  Afterwards I came into the regions of Syria

Gal 1:22  And was unknown by face unto the churches of

Gal 1:23  But they had heard only, That he which

Gal 1:24  And they glorified God in me.

Hezekiah’s act of spreading before the Lord the source and cause of his trouble is an example for all the Lord’s people challenged by the trials of this world and the weakness of our flesh. Whether it is external oppression by others or inward wrestling in our own flesh through sin or sickness the Lord will hear the prayers of His people as we spread our need before Him.

Gal 1:11  But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.

Gal 1:12  For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Gal 1:13  For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it:

Gal 1:14  And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.

Gal 1:15  But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace,

Gal 1:16  To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:

Hezekiah’s faith in the Lord Jesus Christ was more than a match for Rabshakeh’s rantings yet the Lord’s enemy attacked the gospel and the comfort of the Lord’s people in ways that can take their toll. We are blessed to have Hezekiah’s example to teach us how to withstand the onslaughts of evil.

Gal 1:6  I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:

Gal 1:7  Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.

Gal 1:8  But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

Gal 1:9  As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

Gal 1:10  For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.

Isaiah tells us of God who saves and a Way of holiness. This points to the Lord Jesus Christ who is a Saviour who enables, a Saviour who secures, a Saviour who gladdens and a Saviour who finishes. He is a Saviour to trust in time and for eternity.

Gal 1:1  Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)

Gal 1:2  And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia:

Gal 1:3  Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ,

Gal 1:4  Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:

Gal 1:5  To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.