Title: How to Get the Blessing of Prosperity
2 Kings (41) The Way to Get the Blessing of Prosperity
(2 Kings 18:1-8)
1. Throw away the idol
Hezekiah was the most devout of the 20 kings of southern Judah, but his childhood was poor. His father, Ahaz, was the worst king of southern Judah and promoted idolatry and even sacrificed his son as a burnt offering (2 Kings 16:3). Growing up in such a wretched environment, there was a glimmer of light. Because Isaiah was there. Since King Ahaz and Isaiah had frequent contact (Isaiah 7:3-16), Hezekiah was greatly influenced by Isaiah from an early age. With the help of Isaiah, such a friend and mentor, he was able to end his father's evil deeds.
Finally, when Ahaz died and Hezekiah became king at the age of 25, he destroyed the high places, broke the columns, and threw down the Asherah poles. Before that, other good kings did not dare touch only the high places, but he even removed them. Even the bronze serpent made by Moses in the wilderness, when people worshiped it like an idol and burned incense, they broke the bronze serpent and cried out. “That is nothing but Nehushdan (a piece of brass) (v. 4)!”
The Israelites remembered the bronze serpent in the wilderness and kept the bronze serpent for about 700 years. In a word, the bronze snake was National Treasure No. However, the bronze serpent, which should only be regarded as a symbolic tool for remembrance of grace, became an instrument of idolatry and even burned incense. No matter how great a monument, when it becomes an idol, from then on it becomes an instrument of curse. How many times like that once the instrument of blessing becomes an idol and turns into a cursed Nehushdan?
Occasionally, you will see someone who claims to be a 'wonderful healer'. Don't blindly follow him. The miracle was not caused by himself, but if he hijacks the glory of God as if he had caused healing, he becomes Nehushdan. Just as a piece of bronze is just a piece of brass, so a person is only a person. When a person is advertised as a 'great servant' or exalted himself, he becomes a channel of curses. There are no great species. He too is just a piece of brass. The healer is only God.
2. Fully Trust
At that time, breaking a high place is like touching a beehive, so leaving it alone will make politics easier. The same is true of smashing a brass snake. However, knowing that such a government was dishonest in the sight of God, Hezekiah broke the bronze serpent even though conflict and hardship were expected. In fact, it is a great risk to point out and destroy the reality of Nehushdan. Still, leaders need such courage and determination.
At that time, he smashed the bronze snake, which was National Treasure No. 1, and shouted, “This is just a piece of bronze!” How easy is it to be criticized by the statics? Still, he showed courage. Because he believed that it was God's will and went out relying on God. The Bible says that there has never been, and never after, a king who trusted in God as much as Hezekiah (verse 5). To what extent would he have used such an expression if he had completely depended on God?
Have the courage to break Nehushdan. Even if you tempt me with blessings and healing, do not fall into the idolatry of Nehushdan. Don't be fooled by fake blessings and fake healings. It is only the Lord who will be glorified. Therefore, if someone exalts himself as a 'great servant' and steals the glory of the Lord even a little, he must escape from him as soon as possible so that his soul can live. When we do not fear people and only fear God, we can break idols and the way of life will be opened from that point on.
3. Obey the Word
Hezekiah adhered to God and kept the word thoroughly (verse 6). The core reality of a life dependent on God is a life of obedience to the Word. It makes no sense to believe in God without keeping the word, it doesn't make sense to love God without keeping the word, and it doesn't make sense to glorify God without keeping the word.
To glorify God, we must try to obey the Word. It's not an easy task, but if you obey the Word and live according to the Word, God's blessing will surely come. What happened to Hezekiah's Reformation? God made Hezekiah prosper wherever he went, and his national strength was strengthened (verses 7-8). The king is blessed, and the country is also blessed. That is the conclusion of a word-centered life.
Always live according to the word, but in particular, do not allow Nehushdan's idolatry to take advantage of the church. Pray for that matter. When a leader challenges change according to God's will, follow the path with joy. When God raises a leader, He also has a plan to directly control him. If you pray to God to guide the leader like that, your prayer will never be in vain.