In a Class of One

2 Kings 18:1-8  New English Translation

In the third year of the reign of Israel’s King Hoshea son of Elah, Ahaz’s son Hezekiah became king over Judah. He was twenty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His mother was Abi, the daughter of Zechariah. He did what the Lord approved, just as his ancestor David had done. He eliminated the high places, smashed the sacred pillars to bits, and cut down the Asherah pole. He also demolished the bronze serpent that Moses had made, for up to that time the Israelites had been offering incense to it; it was called Nehushtan. He trusted in the Lord God of Israel; in this regard there was none like him among the kings of Judah either before or after. He was loyal to the Lord and did not abandon him. He obeyed the commandments that the Lord had given to Moses. The Lord was with him; he succeeded in all his endeavors. He rebelled against the king of Assyria and refused to submit to him. He defeated the Philistines as far as Gaza and its territory, from watchtower to fortified city.

Reflection

     Careful Bible readers and studiers should remember this story and important detail. The number one King among them all was,...(no, not David.) it was Hezekiah! It is important to remember that God didn't want kings, the people did. They insisted that it would help them and would prove that they were a special people among the nations that also had kings. Yes, I know, that would make them more like the other nations and not more distinctive. Hindsight is 20/20 because it is closer to the way God can envision what will become of flawed choices.

     Hezekiah left the single most flawless legacy of leadership. He ruled with the attention to avoiding scandals, heresies, hypocrisies and (most importantly) idolatries. The phrase which keys us into the why is, "He trusted in the Lord God of Israel." Trust is the glue that holds relationships together. Trust in God is a challenge for us created folk. We have weak and fearful moments. We are easily fooled into thinking that we are doing the good and cool things that are happening. We are easily tempted into thinking that in order to get what we want, we have to take it.

     For further study, check out this interesting account of the Tunnel of Hezekiah.

Great God of our Ancestors, guide us to trust in you. Keep our path steadfast in your ways. Watch over our steps and lead us back (as you always do) when we go astray. In your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.