Today’s Scripture: 2 Chronicles 27:6, 28:1-5, 27
Hezekiah’s grandfather was a righteous king. Scripture states that “Jotham grew powerful because he walked steadfastly before the Lord his God.” Hezekiah’s father, Ahaz, was born when Jotham was twenty-one, which meant Ahaz experienced a godly upbringing modeled by an upstanding father. Unfortunately, it didn’t have much of an effect on the son.
If my math is correct, Ahaz was eleven years old when Hezekiah was born. Nine years later, Ahaz replaced Jotham as king.
Scripture describes Ahaz as one of the most wicked kings to reign over Judah. He encouraged idolatry, shut up the doors of the temple, and even sacrificed his own sons to false gods. This king jeopardized the spiritual and physical safety of the Israelites. In fact, he was so wicked that when he died, they didn’t even bury him among his royal ancestors.
How could this be? Ahaz was raised by such a devout father. Even more puzzling is the question how a wicked king like Ahaz could end up with a godly son as Hezekiah?
God has given man a free will to choose right from wrong—beginning with Adam and Eve. The Lord warns about blessings for being faithful and consequences for not. Although Ahaz was raised by a model father, he chose to live in opposition to what he knew was right.
Hezekiah, however, witnessed the contrast between his father and grandfather. In the nine short years he had with Hezekiah, Jotham impacted his young grandson for the good. Couple that with the godly counsel of Isaiah, who served as prophet to four generations of kings, and Hezekiah headed down a path that pleased God and served the Israelites well.
- What sort of impact are you having on others? Even if they make wrong decisions, how can you remain consistent?