About 700 years before Jesus was born, Judah was ruled by King Hezekiah. In 2 Kings 18:3, we are told that, "He did that which was right in the sight of the Lord. . . ." And in the same chapter, verses 5-6, we are informed that ". . . after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah . . . for he clave to the Lord and departed not from following him, but kept his commandments."

As w6, read from 2 Kings 18-20, we learn that God blessed Hezekiah because of his goodness and faithfulness. At one point when the King was "sick unto death," God extended his life and let him live an additional fifteen years. In 2 Chronicles 30-3 1, we learn that Hezekiah was a great reformer as he called all "from Dan to Beersheba" to assemble in Jerusalem to keep the Passover unto the Lord God of Israel.

We also find Hezekiah to be a man of prayer as time after, time he called upon, God for deliverance, forgiveness and. even life itself. But finally the end came, as it does with every young person. At the relatively young age of 54, " . . Hezekiah slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the highest, of the Sepulchers . . . and the inhabitants of Jerusalem did him honor at his death."

Yes, Hezekiah was a remarkable man in many ways. He was his own man! He chose a life of obedience and service to God. Hestood as an island in a sea of wickedness. You see, the Bible reveals that both his father Ahaz and his son Manasseh "did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord."

Hence I even today, everyone needs to realize that he is, in large of his own spiritual destiny. God has given each of us a mind with which to think reason, and decide. The son will not bear the sin of the father and the father will not bear the sin of the son (Ezek. 18:20). Therefore in Acts 2:40, Peter could cry out, "Save yourselves from this untoward generation."

The remedy for sins is still available for you and me. In Acts 2:38, Peter said, "'Repent, and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins And in v. 41 we learn that "they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls . . . and the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved" (Acts 2:47).

What of your soul? While there is time and opportunity we urge you to follow the example of Hezekiah and do that which is "right in the sight of the Lord."

Guardian of Truth XXIX: 8, p. 249
April 18, 1985