2 Chronicles 32:24-33 (October 25, 2025)

Hezekiah's Pride and Achievements

2 Chronicles 32:24 In those days Hezekiah became sick and was at the point of death, and he prayed to the Lord, and he answered him and gave him a sign. 25 But Hezekiah did not make return according to the benefit done to him, for his heart was proud. Therefore wrath came upon him and Judah and Jerusalem. 26 But Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart, both he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the wrath of the Lord did not come upon them in the days of Hezekiah.

27 And Hezekiah had very great riches and honor, and he made for himself treasuries for silver, for gold, for precious stones, for spices, for shields, and for all kinds of costly vessels; 28 storehouses also for the yield of grain, wine, and oil; and stalls for all kinds of cattle, and sheepfolds. 29 He likewise provided cities for himself, and flocks and herds in abundance, for God had given him very great possessions. 30 This same Hezekiah closed the upper outlet of the waters of Gihon and directed them down to the west side of the city of David. And Hezekiah prospered in all his works. 31 And so in the matter of the envoys of the princes of Babylon, who had been sent to him to inquire about the sign that had been done in the land, God left him to himself, in order to test him and to know all that was in his heart.

32 Now the rest of the acts of Hezekiah and his good deeds, behold, they are written in the vision of Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, in the Book of the Kings of Judah and Israel. 33 And Hezekiah slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the upper part of the tombs of the sons of David, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem did him honor at his death. And Manasseh his son reigned in his place.

The Test of Prosperity: When the Heart Forgets and God Restores

Summary

After God delivered Judah from the Assyrians, Hezekiah fell gravely ill and “was at the point of death” (v. 24). He prayed earnestly, and the Lord answered him with both healing and a miraculous sign. However, success and answered prayers did not make Hezekiah humble. We should think about that. Hezekiah is not the exception to the rule. The chronicler records a sobering truth:

When envoys came from Babylon to learn about the sign, God left Hezekiah to himself, to test him and to know all that was in his heart (v. 31). In this test, Hezekiah’s pride was exposed. But when he humbled himself, the Lord’s wrath was turned away during his lifetime.

This narrative concludes with Hezekiah's prosperity and honor (vv. 27–30), followed by his death and burial with distinction (v. 33). The message is clear: God blesses the humble and disciplines the proud, even among His most faithful servants.

Who is God

God heals, tests, and refines His servants.

After granting Hezekiah recovery, God was not done with Hezekiah. God “left him to himself” (v. 31) to reveal what was hidden in his heart. This divine withdrawal was not cruelty but care. This uncovered the pride that prosperity had concealed.

The same God who answered prayer now examines the heart. God's purpose in testing is to deepen humility and dependence. We learned from this passage that true faith must endure not only hardship but also success.

What is our guilt

Our guilt mirrors Hezekiah’s. After God rescues or blesses us, we can easily forget to depend on God and begin to admire the blessings more than the Giver. Hezekiah’s pride was not the arrogance of rebellion but the complacency of comfort. His heart was made dull by peace and prosperity. When God tested him by sending the Babylonian envoys (v. 31), Hezekiah revealed that success had dulled his gratitude.

This is the quiet sin of post-deliverance--a subtle drift from desperate prayer to quiet self-assurance. Let us remember that when the crisis passes, our hearts are most vulnerable. God’s testing exposes this spiritual amnesia. May we not forget the grace that once sustained us, just because we have overcome a crisis.

How does grace shine

Grace shines in God’s willingness to forgive and restore those who humble themselves. When Hezekiah recognized his pride, “he humbled himself for the pride of his heart” (v. 26). God responded not with wrath but with mercy, extending peace to Jerusalem during his lifetime. The grace that healed his body also healed his soul.

This pattern anticipates the gospel itself. God confronts pride not to destroy us but to redeem. The Lord who tested Hezekiah’s heart has provided a greater Hezekiah—Christ Jesus—whose perfect humility restores proud sinners. In Him, failure is not final. Repentance opens the way for renewed fellowship and enduring peace.

Prayer

Heavenly Father,

You bless and test us because you love us. When you heal and provide, keep our hearts from pride.

Forgive us for forgetting your grace and teach us to walk humbly in every season. May we never take credit for what your mercy has given.

Strengthen our gratitude so that success becomes worship, and blessing becomes praise.

In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.