Hezekiah. His disposition does not appear to more advantage in any
passage of life, nor his conduct exhibit lessons more generally
useful, than in the circumstances to which our text alludes. A
message is brought from a proud invader; threats mixed with
blasphemies are sounded in his ears; a force far superior to his own
draws near to his city. In his extremity he sought help, not from
man, but from God. In drawing near to God, he testifies his
_penitence_ for his own sins and the sins of the people by rending
his garments and covering himself with sackcloth, the usual tokens of
sorrow in the East; his _faith_ and _hope_ by resorting to the house
of God, his accustomed place of prayer. Observe the wisdom of the
order of his procedure. 1. He began with demonstrations of
repentance. He knew well that without repentance there could be no
hope towards God. (1.) This is the true order for individuals
(H. E. I. 145-147). (2.) For the Church of God. 2. Beginning with
repentance, he could cherish hope (vers. 2-4). Why? He felt that the
Lord would not permit Sennacherib's words to pass unpunished; and
that, if the sins of the people did not operate to prevent it, help
would surely be sent him. But he spoke with caution, "it may be," &c.
The best reasons may be found for what we call "delays" in
providential helps. There was room for expectation that help would be
given, room for prayer that it might be given, but no room for
overweening confidence that it must be so. With his hope there was
mingled submission to the will of God, and that doubtless helped to
win for his prayer a favourable hearing.
CONCLUSION.--This narrative presents us with the results, on the one
hand, of pride and arrogance; and on the other, of repentance and an
humbled spirit. In times of extremity let us not entertain hope
without an humble and repentant suit to God; and when that ground of
penitence is laid for its support, let us not dismiss our confidence.
God is always able to help His people. Like Hezekiah, then, to Him,
let us resort in every time of trouble, whether it be a time of
public danger or of domestic affliction.--_J. H. Pott: Sermons,_ vol.
ii. pp. 282-299.