Isaiah 36:1; 2 Kings 18:13-19:; Isaiah 36:2-37:7; 2 Kings 19:8-37; Isaiah 37:8-38; 2 Kings 20:20-21

When the world comes calling, how do we answer? In yesterday’s reading Hezekiah was visited by the envoys from the king of Babylon. From his deathbed he cried to Yahweh and was healed. Now, Babylon comes calling feigning concern (Isaiah 39:1-8). People naturally yearn for acceptance. Instead of longing for the grace, mercy and teaching from God, we tend to run into the open arms of a callous world far too willing to take all we have. Hezekiah was duped, and he showed them all of his treasures. Wrong answer.

You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

James 4:4

If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.

John 15:18-20

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

1 John 2:15-17

Another king comes calling, this time from Assyria. Instead of resisting him, Hezekiah feared and pleaded with him. “I have done wrong; turn away from me; whatever you impose upon me I will pay”. Watch this carefully. The king had personal wealth. The tribute he paid, however, came from the Temple. Hmmm. Instead of welcoming a new vassal and ally, Sennacherib saw this as a defeat for Yahweh and boasted. He was right. In Hezekiah’s life, Yahweh lost.

When the world comes calling, how do we answer? If we try to respond with friendship there is a spiritual price to be paid. We cannot have it both ways and be a friend to the world and to God. As the world demands more and more from us, we do not respond with our time and effort from worldly things, do we? The time, effort and resources come from our spiritual side. We strip the temple of its wealth and pay tribute to the world. Just like Hezekiah.

Consider His nature.  Consider His ways.  Strive to love Him more!