SETTING THINGS IN ORDER
II KINGS 20:1-6
INTRODUCTION: King Hezekiah was a great ruler who sought to faithfully follow God. Judea prospered under Hezekiah’s reign. Concerning Hezekiah, 2 Kings 18:5 states, “He trusted in the LORD God of Israel; so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor any that were before him.” In the fourteenth year of his reign, the prophet Isaiah comes to Hezekiah and brings a message that Hezekiah is going to die and accordingly needs to make the necessary preparations. This account speaks to each of us about death’s inevitable reality and the need for each of us to make sure that we have set things in order.
I. The Brevity of Life and the Inevitability of Death
A. 2 Kings 20:1 In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz came to him, and said unto him, thus says the LORD, Set your house in order; FOR YOU SHALL DIE, AND NOT LIVE.
B. Hezekiah at the age of 39 was stricken with a terminally malignant ulcer from which there was no cure.
C. The prophet Isaiah comes to Hezekiah and states bluntly, “You’re going to die”.
D. The announcement of his death is unconditional and absolute. Literally the Hebrew states, ‘for thou art dead’ (îú me¯th), that is, ‘you are a dead man.’
E. At 39 years old death was the last thing on Hezekiah’s mind.
F. Hezekiah was still a relatively young man, but death does not respect time or age.
G. Hezekiah was the king, but death does not respect status or circumstance.
H. The reality is that death is no respecter of age, wealth, beauty, intelligence, race, or gender.
I. Hezekiah was not expecting death, but death doesn’t run on our timetable.
J. More than 5400 people die every hour of every day, 365 days a year.
K. Hebrews 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
L. Deuteronomy 32:29 Oh that they were wise, that they understood this that they would consider their latter end!
II. The Solemn Command to Set Things in Order
A. 2 Kings 20:1 In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz came to him, and said unto him, thus says the LORD, SET YOUR HOUSE IN ORDER; for you shall die, and not live.
B. “Make known your last will to your family”, in other words “Make sure that you have prepared your house for what is inevitably going to happen”
C. Preparation is good stewardship.
D. Prepare your house financially – 1 Corinthians 4:2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
1. 1 Timothy 5:8 But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
2. There is a duty of love, which is plain. We are to do what we can to set our financial affairs in order so as to not lay any greater burden on our families or the church than is absolutely necessary.
3. Have a will
a. At one time or another, most people think about making a will. Individual circumstances are different, but every person -- no matter what other estate planning tools exist -- should have a will.
b. If you have not prepared your will, your state of residency at death will distribute your estate according to its laws. Your estate will be divided according to a formula, without taking into account any special needs of your family or your personal wishes. Without a will, you lose the power to control the disposition of your property. Furthermore, your state has no charitable intent.
c. Only through a will that you can
· ...distribute your property as you choose;
· ...appoint your own executor;
· ...minimize certain estate costs;
· ...suggest a guardian for any surviving minor children;
· ...provide for trusts;
· ...exercise testamentary powers of appointment;
· ...provide for your church.
d. Some has said, “Whether our estate is large or small, it is good stewardship to have a Christ-honoring will. It is the final witness to your Christian faith.”
4. Avoid unmanaged debt that others might have handle when you die.
5. Provide for your wife so the children won’t have to.
6. Teach the entire family that money really doesn’t buy happiness -- and trying to do so will only leave a family broke and disillusioned.
E. Prepare your house emotionally
1. Make sure that you both tell and demonstrate love to your family.
a. Tell them you love them by saying those magical words, “I love you,”
b. Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it.
c. A palace without affection is a poor hovel, and the meanest hut with love in it is a palace for the soul. Robert Green Ingersoll (1833-1899)
2. Proverbs 11:29 He who troubles his own house shall inherit the wind; and the fool shall be servant to the wise in heart.
3. Hands build a house, but hearts build a home.
4. Are you leaving a legacy of love in your home? If God were to send the angel of death to call on you today, what would your children remember about you? How would your grandchildren remember you? What will they remember as being important to you? Was it God and family or things that mattered most?
F. Prepare your house spiritually
1. God said concerning Abraham in Genesis 18:19 For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.
2. Abraham was chosen to be a blessing to the whole earth, but his vocation was to begin to take effect in the simplest way. He was called to teach his own household, who again would hand down the truth to their households. His being a blessing to the world depended on his being a blessing to his own home. - James Strachan, Leadership, Vol. 7, no. 2.
3. In early America, home was a sanctuary of worship; the father was the priest of his own household; the open Bible was the sourcebook for Christian worship, the textbook for his education, and the inspiration for the establishment of his political institutions. We have not outlived the need for the open Book, for the message of God in and through the family, and for the spiritual discipline of prayer. – Edward L. R. Elson in Wide Was His Parish. Christianity Today, Vol. 32, no. 16.
4. Death brings great sorrow by the separation that occurs. However, no greater suffering or sorrow can a man or woman lay on their family than to leave his or her family without the knowledge or hope that they will see them again on that blessed morning when the dead in Christ arise when the trumpet sounds.
5. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
III. The Wonderful Mercy of God
A. 2 Kings 20:4-6 And it happened, Isaiah had gone out into the middle of the court, the Word of Jehovah came to him saying, Return again and tell Hezekiah the leader of My people, So says Jehovah, the God of David your father, I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears. Behold, I WILL HEAL YOU. On the third day you shall go up to the house of Jehovah. And I WILL ADD FIFTEEN YEARS TO YOUR DAYS. And I will deliver you and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria. And I will defend this city for My own sake, and for My servant David’s sake.
B. When confronted with his imminent death, Hezekiah was overwhelmingly distressed and wept
C. 2 Kings 20:2-3Then he turned his face to the wall, and prayed unto the LORD, saying, I beseech thee, O LORD, remember now how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore.
D. It is a natural instinct for a man to want to live and not die. God made man to be immortal. But sin introduced death to mankind. In his distress Hezekiah turns from everything around him and cries out to God.
E. When a man gets to despair, he knows that all his thinking will never get him out, he will only get out by the sheer creative effort of God; consequently, he is in the right attitude to receive from God that which he cannot gain for himself. - Oswald Chambers (1874-1917)
F. God heard Hezekiah’s prayer and in an act of His grace heals Hezekiah. He did not deserve or merit healing, but God in His mercy saw fit to give Hezekiah fifteen years additional years to serve Him.
G. It is when we are out of options that we are most ready for God’s surprises. – Max L. Lucado (1955- )
H. If God had not chosen to heal to extend Hezekiah’s life, He would not have been unjust. Sometimes God chooses to do miracles in response to our prayers. Sometimes He delights in taking difficult circumstances, turning them around, and making them into blessings. Sometimes He chooses not to deliver us from adversity and death. But remember that He is still there.
I. Isaiah 43:2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you: when you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon you.
J. Remember that when the sky is blackened by storm clouds the sun is still there even though we do not see its shinning. Likewise, God does not forsake His children.
K. We often forget that the ultimate healing for the believer is resurrection and the ultimate healing for the unbeliever is salvation by operation of the same grace of God that added fifteen years to Hezekiah’s life.
L. Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
CONCLUSION: Hebrews 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment. A minister performed the funeral service. The service being over, three of the deceased man’s relatives were standing by the coffin comforting one another when suddenly we heard a strange beeping sound.... coming from the coffin. The women stopped talking and began to look around when all realized that the alarm on the corpse’s watch was going off! The relatives laughed nervously, and began to discuss what it might mean. One thing it definitely meant is this: the man missed his appointment. When the man set his alarm, there was no doubt in his mind that he would keep that appointment.... but he didn’t. The same is true for you and me. For most of us, death will find us with full calendars, busy agendas, and schedules crowded with coming events. But when it’s time to go, we will go anyway, jam-packed day-planners not withstanding. (- copied) The question is “will you be prepared?” Have you set your house in order? Financially? Emotionally? Spiritually?
