But because his heart was proud, Hezekiah did not repay the favor shown to him. Therefore wrath came upon him and upon Judah and Jerusalem. But because his heart was proudThe phrase "his heart was proud" is a critical insight into the spiritual condition of Hezekiah at this point in his life. The Hebrew word for "proud" is "gābah," which conveys a sense of being exalted or lifted up. In the biblical context, pride is often seen as a dangerous sin that leads to a fall ( Proverbs 16:18). Hezekiah, despite his earlier faithfulness and reforms, allowed his heart to become lifted up, forgetting that his successes were due to God's favor and not his own strength or wisdom. This serves as a cautionary tale for believers to remain humble and recognize God's sovereignty in all achievements. Hezekiah did not repay the favor shown to him
The "favor shown to him" refers to the miraculous deliverance from the Assyrian threat and the extension of Hezekiah's life by fifteen years (2 Kings 20:6). The Hebrew word for "favor" is "ḥesed," often translated as loving-kindness or mercy. It underscores God's covenantal faithfulness and grace. Hezekiah's failure to "repay" this favor indicates a lack of gratitude and acknowledgment of God's mercy. In the broader biblical narrative, gratitude is a fundamental response to God's grace, and its absence can lead to spiritual decline. therefore wrath came upon him
The "wrath" mentioned here is a direct consequence of Hezekiah's pride and ingratitude. The Hebrew word "qetseph" for wrath signifies a divine response to sin, often resulting in judgment or discipline. In the Old Testament, God's wrath is not arbitrary but a righteous response to covenant unfaithfulness. This serves as a reminder that God's holiness demands a response to sin, and even a godly king like Hezekiah is not exempt from divine discipline. and upon Judah and Jerusalem
The inclusion of "Judah and Jerusalem" in the consequences of Hezekiah's actions highlights the corporate nature of sin and its repercussions. In the ancient Near Eastern context, the actions of a king often had direct implications for the nation he ruled. This reflects the biblical principle that leaders bear a significant responsibility for the spiritual health of their people. It also serves as a sobering reminder of the interconnectedness of the community of faith, where individual actions can have widespread effects. Persons / Places / Events 1. HezekiahThe King of Judah who experienced God's deliverance from the Assyrian threat and healing from illness. Despite these blessings, he became proud. 2. Judah and JerusalemThe southern kingdom and its capital, which were affected by Hezekiah's pride and the subsequent wrath of God. 3. God's WrathThe divine response to Hezekiah's pride, impacting not only him but also his kingdom. 4. The Favor ShownRefers to God's deliverance and healing granted to Hezekiah, which he failed to acknowledge with humility and gratitude. 5. PrideThe central issue in this passage, leading to negative consequences for Hezekiah and his people. Teaching Points The Danger of PridePride can blind us to our dependence on God and lead to spiritual downfall. Hezekiah's account warns us to remain humble, especially after experiencing God's blessings. The Importance of GratitudeRecognizing and repaying God's favor with gratitude is crucial. Gratitude keeps our hearts aligned with God's will and prevents pride. Consequences of SinOur actions, especially those rooted in pride, can have far-reaching consequences. Hezekiah's pride affected not only himself but also his entire kingdom. God's Mercy and JusticeWhile God is merciful, He is also just and will discipline those He loves. Understanding this balance helps us live in a way that honors God. Repentance and RestorationHezekiah's later repentance shows that turning back to God can restore our relationship with Him. We should be quick to repent when we recognize pride in our hearts. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Hezekiah's pride serve as a warning for us in our personal lives and leadership roles? 2. In what ways can we cultivate a heart of gratitude to prevent pride from taking root? 3. How do the consequences of Hezekiah's actions illustrate the broader impact of our personal sins? 4. What steps can we take to ensure that we are living in humility and acknowledging God's favor in our lives? 5. How can the principles found in James 4:6 and Proverbs 16:18 guide us in our daily walk with God? Connections to Other Scriptures 2 Kings 20Provides a parallel account of Hezekiah's illness, recovery, and the visit of the Babylonian envoys, highlighting his pride. Isaiah 39Describes the same events, emphasizing the prophetic warning about the future consequences of Hezekiah's actions. Proverbs 16:18Warns that pride precedes destruction, illustrating the principle seen in Hezekiah's life. James 4:6States that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble, reinforcing the need for humility. People Amoz, David, Hezekiah, Isaiah, Manasseh, SennacheribPlaces Assyria, Babylon, Gihon, Jerusalem, Lachish, MilloTopics Benefit, Deed, Didn't, Heart, Hezekiah, Hezeki'ah, Jerusalem, Judah, Kindness, Lifted, Lofty, Lord's, Pride, Proud, Received, Render, Rendered, Respond, Return, Returned, Shown, WrathDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Chronicles 32:25 1025 God, anger of
5790 anger, divine
8804 pride, examples
8805 pride, results 2 Chronicles 32:24-25 5932 response 2 Chronicles 32:24-26 5333 healing 2 Chronicles 32:25-26 5017 heart, renewal Library A Strange Reward for Faithfulness
After these things, and the establishment thereof, Sennacherib, king of Assyria, came.'--2 CHRON. XXXII. 1. The Revised Version gives a much more accurate and significant rendering of a part of these words. It reads: 'After these things and this faithfulness, Sennacherib, king of Assyria, came.' What are 'these things' and 'this faithfulness'? The former are the whole of the events connected with the religious reformation in Judah, which King Hezekiah inaugurated and carried through so brilliantly …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureSome Buildings in Acra. Bezeiha. Millo.
Mount Sion did not thrust itself so far eastward as mount Acra: and hence it is, that mount Moriah is said, by Josephus, to be "situate over-against Acra," rather than over-against the Upper City: for, describing Acra thus, which we produced before, "There is another hill, called Acra, which bears the Lower City upon it, steep on both sides": in the next words he subjoins this, "Over-against this was a third hill," speaking of Moriah. The same author thus describes the burning of the Lower City: …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica The Power of Assyria at Its Zenith; Esarhaddon and Assur-Bani-Pal
The Medes and Cimmerians: Lydia--The conquest of Egypt, of Arabia, and of Elam. As we have already seen, Sennacherib reigned for eight years after his triumph; eight years of tranquillity at home, and of peace with all his neighbours abroad. If we examine the contemporary monuments or the documents of a later period, and attempt to glean from them some details concerning the close of his career, we find that there is a complete absence of any record of national movement on the part of either Elam, …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 8 Temporal Advantages.
"We brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content."--1 Tim. vi. 7, 8. Every age has its own special sins and temptations. Impatience with their lot, murmuring, grudging, unthankfulness, discontent, are sins common to men at all times, but I suppose one of those sins which belongs to our age more than to another, is desire of a greater portion of worldly goods than God has given us,--ambition and covetousness …
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VII Gihon, the Same with the Fountain of Siloam.
I. In 1 Kings 1:33,38, that which is, in the Hebrew, "Bring ye Solomon to Gihon: and they brought him to Gihon"; is rendered by the Chaldee, "Bring ye him to Siloam: and they brought him to Siloam." Where Kimchi thus; "Gihon is Siloam, and it is called by a double name. And David commanded, that they should anoint Solomon at Gihon for a good omen, to wit, that, as the waters of the fountain are everlasting, so might his kingdom be." So also the Jerusalem writers; "They do not anoint the king, but …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica The Girdle of the City. Nehemiah 3
The beginning of the circumference was from 'the sheep-gate.' That, we suppose, was seated on the south part, yet but little removed from that corner, which looks south-east. Within was the pool of Bethesda, famous for healings. Going forward, on the south part, was the tower Meah: and beyond that, "the tower of Hananeel": in the Chaldee paraphrast it is, 'The tower Piccus,' Zechariah 14:10; Piccus, Jeremiah 31:38.--I should suspect that to be, the Hippic tower, were not that placed on the north …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica Chronicles
The comparative indifference with which Chronicles is regarded in modern times by all but professional scholars seems to have been shared by the ancient Jewish church. Though written by the same hand as wrote Ezra-Nehemiah, and forming, together with these books, a continuous history of Judah, it is placed after them in the Hebrew Bible, of which it forms the concluding book; and this no doubt points to the fact that it attained canonical distinction later than they. Nor is this unnatural. The book …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 2 Chronicles 32:25 NIV2 Chronicles 32:25 NLT2 Chronicles 32:25 ESV2 Chronicles 32:25 NASB2 Chronicles 32:25 KJV
2 Chronicles 32:25 Commentaries
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