Proverbs 25:1 Through the Ages
We are treated to more of the proverbs recorded by Solomon that were passed down through the ages. Hezekiah, nearly 200 years later, copies them down.
It is time to turn back to the proverbs Solomon recorded. I have a feeling that these were found when Hezekiah had the temple cleaned. The Law of Moses was found at that time and Hezekiah did EXACTLY as he was supposed to do; he read it to all the people and he made a copy of it for himself.
God commanded that the kings make a copy of His Law so they could study it and rule the kingdom by its principles. I’m certain David did this but I don’t recall any other king being mentioned as having done this until Hezekiah.
Hezekiah was hungry for the words of the Lord. He devoured anything he could get his hands on that spoke of the Lord. He listened to the prophet Isaiah, followed the Law with ALL his heart, and studies the proverbs written down by Solomon. These proverbs were NOT out dated or for another people. They were for “now” and for “God’s people”; the Hebrews.
Hezekiah wanted ALL the blessings of the Lord, for him and his people. And he KNEW the ONLY way to those blessings was by following all the commands of the Lord. He faithfully followed the Lord for his whole life and made CERTAIN that the people of Judah did the same.
We have read Hezekiah’s history in several places during our study time. The thing that amazes me the most is how he is sandwiched in between two HORRIBLE kings. Hezekiah’s father; King Ahab, brought idolatry to the forefront in Judah. He even closed and nailed shut the Temple doors. But Hezekiah, at the age of 25, took the throne and drew Judah back to the Lord.
Almost halfway through his reign, Hezekiah becomes ill. He would have died if he hadn’t poured out his soul to the Lord in prayer. After he recovers, he fathers the MOST wicked king Judah would ever have; Manasseh. Which means that during the last half of Hezekiah’s reign he raised a son who was so unlike him that it is hard fathom how Manasseh got to the point he did. Was Hezekiah so busy running the kingdom that he let his family fall by the wayside? Was Manasseh jealous of the time Hezekiah spent with the Lord? Was Manasseh a ‘distant father’ like David was with most of his children?
I find a little bit of comfort in knowing that Manasseh, in the later part of his life, turned to the Lord like his father had before him. It was too little too late as far as the nation of Judah was concerned. But I have no doubt that God saw the change in Manasseh’s heart and rewarded him for it in eternity.
Our lesson from Hezekiah today is that NONE of the words of the Lord EVER lose their value. God’s words are more precious than gold and more filling than the biggest banquet. The age of the words does not rob them of their power. They are just as relevant today as they were the day God spoke them into the hearts of man. As a previous paster would say; “Get all you can. Can all you get. And sit on the lid” when it comes to learning. There is NO better place to ‘can them’ than in your heart!
Father God, THANK YOU for preserving Your words so I can read them today. Thank You that they NEVER lose their power. What you promised Adam and Eve is still true today; thousands of years later. Thank You for faithfully opening my eyes to what is in Your word each time I sit with You. Help me to apply ALL that I learn from You. Don’t let me hold onto Your truths for just a little while. Make them part of my innermost being.
