In 2 Kings we find Hezekiah becoming king of Judah. It says that he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD (2 Kings 18:3 KJV). He destroyed all the places that the Israelites were worshiping other gods and even broke in pieces the brasen serpent that Moses had made (2 Kings 18:4 KJV), because they had began to worship it.
Then it says 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. For he clave to the LORD, and departed not from following him, but kept his commandments, which the LORD commanded Moses. And the LORD was with him; and he prospered whithersoever he went forth: and he rebelled against the king of Assyria, and served him not (2 Kings 18:5-7 KJV).
He trusted God and clave to Him and departed not from following Him. That is a wonderful testimony. Then it says he rebelled against the king of Assyria and didn’t serve him. Well obviously the king of Assyria didn’t take this well. He sends his messengers to challenge and even taunt Hezekiah and Israel. They begin to say “What is your source of confidence (2 Kings 18:19 NET)? Perhaps you will tell me, ‘We are trusting in the LORD our God.’ But Hezekiah is the one who eliminated his high places and altars and then told the people of Judah and Jerusalem, ‘You must worship at this altar in Jerusalem (2 Kings 18:22 NET).’
They try to crush their spirits and challenge their trust in God. They even challenge Hezekiahs’s actions that they don’t understand. Then they make an offer.
Now make a deal with my master the king of Assyria, and I will give you two thousand horses, provided you can find enough riders for them (2 Kings 18:23 NET). Furthermore it was by the command of the LORD that I marched up against this place to destroy it. The LORD told me, ‘March up against this land and destroy it (2 Kings 18:25 NET).’ Don’t listen to Hezekiah!’ For this is what the king of Assyria says, ‘Send me a token of your submission and surrender to me. Then each of you may eat from his own vine and fig tree and drink water from his own cistern, until I come and take you to a land just like your own – a land of grain and new wine, a land of bread and vineyards, a land of olive trees and honey. Then you will live and not die. Don’t listen to Hezekiah, for he is misleading you when he says, “The LORD will rescue us (2 Kings 18:31-32 NET).”
They taunt them, challenge their trust, tell them this is God’s will and offer them an easier life. As long as they give up their freedom. Then the king would come and take them away from their land. Yes it may have been easier. Yes it may have come with certain benefits. It all looked good on the surface, but at what cost. They were free to choose to be bound, but chose to stay free. They followed God. You can read on and God did deliver Israel in some amazing ways from this king of Assyria. I’d like to focus on what we’ve read.
You see the enemy of our soul will come at us like this. He will try to crush our spirit and challenge our trust in God. He will try to convince us that all these things that God requires are not necessary. He will even offer all these benefits of just giving up our freedom. He will try to convince us that we aren’t actually free because of the battle that we are in. That the things that we deny ourselves, by living a holy and separated life, are actually forms of bondage and not freedom. Instead offering “freedom” to do whatever we want.
Do not be fooled by these tactics. Even though they may sound good and right to our natural desires. Remember there is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death (Proverbs 14:12 KJV).
Remember that freedom that has a hook in it is not freedom. One may say to the fish, “there is a beautiful world out here for you to see. You only need to take this that I am offering you freely and I’ll set you free from the bondage of this water that prevents you from living life to its fullest.” All the while there is a hook in it and once they take the bait they will be consumed.
Do not take the bait. Although you are free to choose. Don’t choose to live in bondage, but rather choose the freedom that Jesus gives. Remember that the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 6:23 KJV). Enjoy the gift of freedom that Jesus gives.
Galatians 5:1 KJV Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
Deuteronomy 30:19 KJV I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:
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