The Treasures of a Faithful Heart
"¶ And Hezekiah had exceeding much riches and honour: and he made himself treasuries for silver, and for gold, and for precious stones, and for spices, and for shields, and for all manner of pleasant jewels;" - 2 Chronicles 32:27
In 2 Chronicles 32:27, we read, "And Hezekiah had exceeding much riches and honour: and he made himself treasuries for silver, and for gold, and for precious stones, and for spices, and for shields, and for all manner of pleasant jewels." This verse presents a vivid picture of King Hezekiah's wealth and success but also encourages us to reflect upon the true purpose of our blessings and the treasures we seek in our own lives.
Hezekiah, the thirteenth king of Judah, reigned during a time of significant turmoil and threat from the Assyrian Empire. He faced overwhelming odds but was a king who trusted in the Lord. His reign is characterized by both a notable spiritual revival and physical prosperity. The excerpt from 2 Chronicles highlights the outward manifestations of his success—riches, honor, and treasures. However, we must be careful to not overlook the conditions and responsibilities that accompany such abundance.
In this examination of Hezekiah’s treasures, three critical themes emerge that we can incorporate into our own spiritual lives: our relationship with material wealth, the stewardship of our blessings, and the pursuit of true honor.
**1. Understanding Material Wealth**
It is easy to interpret Hezekiah’s accumulation of wealth as a straightforward picture of prosperity; however, material wealth in itself is not inherently good or bad. The Bible repeatedly teaches that our hearts should not be attached to earthly treasures. In Matthew 6:19-21, we are reminded, "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."
In acknowledging the wealth Hezekiah amassed, we must also recognize that such treasures should be viewed as tools to glorify God rather than ends in themselves.
**2. The Stewardship of Blessings**
Hezekiah's treasures were not just for personal enjoyment; he constructed treasuries, indicating a purposeful approach to his wealth. Stewardship involves managing what we have in a way that honors the Giver. Every blessing we receive, whether they be financial, relational, or spiritual, comes with the responsibility to use them in accordance with God's will.
In our own lives, we can follow Hezekiah's example by taking stock of the resources at our disposal. How can we invest our time, skills, and financial resources to advance God's Kingdom? Are we donating to those in need? Supporting our local church? Investing in relationships that uplift and encourage? God entrusts us with wealth for the purpose of furthering His mission on earth. We, too, can build our treasuries; not with physical gold and jewels, but with acts of love, service, and generosity.
**3. Pursuit of True Honor**
To draw honor from God is far more valuable than any treasure of this world. Hezekiah's honor came as a result of his faithfulness to the Lord. After experiencing God’s provision and power, we read in 2 Chronicles 32:29, "Moreover, he provided him cities, and possessions of flocks and herds in abundance: for God had given him substance very much." God's honor bestowed upon us is intimately connected with how we respond to His blessings.
We must ask ourselves, do we seek the approval and honor that comes from man or do we long for the well done, good and faithful servant from our Heavenly Father? The condition of our heart in how we regard riches speaks volumes about our faith.
In conclusion, as we reflect on the life of Hezekiah and his treasuries, let us remember that authenticity in our faith is not measured by the wealth we possess, but by how we view our treasures and the lengths we are willing to go to honor God with them. May we cultivate hearts that treasure the eternal and seek to be faithful stewards in every area of our lives.
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2 Chronicles 32:27 Artwork
2 Chronicles 32:27 - "¶ And Hezekiah had exceeding much riches and honour: and he made himself treasuries for silver, and for gold, and for precious stones, and for spices, and for shields, and for all manner of pleasant jewels;"
"¶ And Hezekiah had exceeding much riches and honour: and he made himself treasuries for silver, and for gold, and for precious stones, and for spices, and for shields, and for all manner of pleasant jewels;" - 2 Chronicles 32:27
1 Chronicles 27:32 - "Also Jonathan David's uncle was a counsellor, a wise man, and a scribe: and Jehiel the son of Hachmoni was with the king's sons:"
2 Chronicles 32:2 - "And when Hezekiah saw that Sennacherib was come, and that he was purposed to fight against Jerusalem,"
2 Chronicles 32:32 - "Now the rest of the acts of Hezekiah, and his goodness, behold, they are written in the vision of Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, and in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel."
2 Chronicles 32:20 - "And for this cause Hezekiah the king, and the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz, prayed and cried to heaven."
1 Chronicles 2:32 - "And the sons of Jada the brother of Shammai; Jether, and Jonathan: and Jether died without children."
1 Chronicles 2:27 - "And the sons of Ram the firstborn of Jerahmeel were, Maaz, and Jamin, and Eker."
2 Chronicles 32:16 - "And his servants spake yet more against the LORD God, and against his servant Hezekiah."
2 Chronicles 32:28 - "Storehouses also for the increase of corn, and wine, and oil; and stalls for all manner of beasts, and cotes for flocks."
2 Chronicles 20:32 - "And he walked in the way of Asa his father, and departed not from it, doing that which was right in the sight of the LORD."
2 Chronicles 32:10 - "Thus saith Sennacherib king of Assyria, Whereon do ye trust, that ye abide in the siege in Jerusalem?"
2 Chronicles 32:19 - "And they spake against the God of Jerusalem, as against the gods of the people of the earth, which were the work of the hands of man."
Genesis 27:32
2 Chronicles 18:32 - "For it came to pass, that, when the captains of the chariots perceived that it was not the king of Israel, they turned back again from pursuing him."
2 Chronicles 35:27 - "And his deeds, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah."
2 Chronicles 32:7 - "Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him: for there be more with us than with him:"
2 Chronicles 27:4 - "Moreover he built cities in the mountains of Judah, and in the forests he built castles and towers."
2 Chronicles 27:3 - "He built the high gate of the house of the LORD, and on the wall of Ophel he built much."
"Also Jonathan David's uncle was a counsellor, a wise man, and a scribe: and Jehiel the son of Hachmoni was with the king's sons:" - 1 Chronicles 27:32
2 Chronicles 34:32 - "And he caused all that were present in Jerusalem and Benjamin to stand to it. And the inhabitants of Jerusalem did according to the covenant of God, the God of their fathers."
2 Chronicles 32:29 - "Moreover he provided him cities, and possessions of flocks and herds in abundance: for God had given him substance very much."
2 Chronicles 32:24 - "¶ In those days Hezekiah was sick to the death, and prayed unto the LORD: and he spake unto him, and he gave him a sign."
2 Chronicles 32:6 - "And he set captains of war over the people, and gathered them together to him in the street of the gate of the city, and spake comfortably to them, saying,"
2 Chronicles 32:18 - "Then they cried with a loud voice in the Jews' speech unto the people of Jerusalem that were on the wall, to affright them, and to trouble them; that they might take the city."
2 Chronicles 27:6 - "So Jotham became mighty, because he prepared his ways before the LORD his God."
2 Chronicles 27:8 - "He was five and twenty years old when he began to reign, and reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem."
2 Chronicles 32:3 - "He took counsel with his princes and his mighty men to stop the waters of the fountains which were without the city: and they did help him."
2 Chronicles 32:1 - "After these things, and the establishment thereof, Sennacherib king of Assyria came, and entered into Judah, and encamped against the fenced cities, and thought to win them for himself."
2 Chronicles 32:23 - "And many brought gifts unto the LORD to Jerusalem, and presents to Hezekiah king of Judah: so that he was magnified in the sight of all nations from thenceforth."