Living for Our Times
Hezekiah replied, “The word of the Lord that you have spoken is good.”
Hezekiah was known as a good king. In fact, according to Old Testament records, “Hezekiah trusted in the Lord, the God of Israel. There was no one like him among all the kings of Judah, either before him or after him.” (2 Kings 18:5) During his reign, Hezekiah almost died of an illness, but he fervently petitioned God for his own life and God healed him, giving him more years to live on earth. God showed him a sign by backing up the sun 10 steps! God altered our solar system to show Hezekiah that He would heal him.
Understanding the good nature of this good king, let’s take a look at the good word that Hezekiah was referencing in our quote above. Surely it was some fortunate event for Israel. No, not really. The word came through Isaiah the prophet and below is the Cliff Note’s version:
Because Hezekiah had shown the Babylonian envoys (official visitors from the king of Babylon) the treasures of Israel, “the days are coming, when all that is in your house, and that which your fathers have stored up till this day, shall be carried to Babylon. Nothing shall be left, says the Lord. And some of your own sons, who will come from you, whom you will father, shall be taken away, and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.” (Is 39:5-7)
Well that right there is a bit perplexing. Why would a great king, one who trusted in the Lord, a man who had witnessed the power of God in his own life, be satisfied with a word of destruction for his country and its people? The answer is in the verse following Isaiah’s prophecy, “he [Hezekiah] thought, ‘There will be peace and security in my days.’” (Is 39:8) Apparently, Hezekiah was self interested. He was ok with whatever catastrophe would come, as long as it did not happen while he was around.
Now, we may want to judge Hezekiah’s attitude here, but it would be wise to hold up just a second. With further consideration, the good king’s actions are not really all that different from others seen throughout recorded human existence. Hezekiah’s attitude may, in fact, be common and even possibly the prevailing attitude among humans. “As long as it is alright with me and mine” seems to be a universal theme. We humans live for our times. Yes, that would include us “modern” humans. Look at the evidence: massive national debt to make sure our economy is propped up, convenience of lifestyle regardless of impact on nature, immediate peace at the expense of future stability, these are all title lines of personal, national and world policy in our day and age. We are just as self interested as Hezekiah ever was.
Now, before conclusions are drawn, let me clarify one more thing. I am not judging Hezekiah or any of the other billions of people that have operated from a “my times” bubble. I mean, come on! Life in this world is HARD! I am certainly not pointing a finger at people who are satisfied with a little comfort in their times, even when that comfort comes at the potential detriment of generations to come. But! But! But! Consider the impact of those individuals who think beyond their own times and look to produce future benefit for generations to come. Is it not these individuals who inspire? People like Joshua, Israel’s leader following the departure of Moses, who, instead of hanging back in the wilderness where there was peace, moved forward into the Promised Land as God commanded. His actions would lead to battles, hardships and much conflict to accomplish the work of conquering the land. Joshua was not solely thinking of himself or of his times. He was thinking the way God was thinking. He was thinking about generations upon generations of Israelites to come.
How about Paul? Was he thinking about his times when submitting to beatings, being chased out of towns and falsely accused by those he was trying to reach with the Gospel? Paul most certainly could have lived a cushy life as a Pharisee. He chose instead to live the life of a missionary of the Way. He chose beatings, prisons, shipwrecks and even execution. He was thinking of more than his own times. Paul was considering all those who would come after he was gone - the numberless community of believers that know the good news of Jesus Christ because Paul lived for times to come.
The list is long, not as long as the “my times” list, but there are many who have sacrificed comfort and denied selfish ambition so that times beyond their own could realize goodness. That brings it right to our doorsteps. The question to be asked is obvious: are we a people living only for our times? Are we satisfied with things the way they are as long as it means we will finish our days in peace? Or are we a people willing to live for all times? Are we willing to forsake ourselves in order to see goodness for future generations.