Seemed Right

(7-10-05)

2Chronicles 29:1-10

King Hezekiah’s epitaph: and he did that which was right in the eyes of the Lord. There are some sayings in the bible that speak much of things good and things not so good. Anytime someone is reported to do what is right in the eyes of the Lord it is a good thing.

When a study is made of the history of Israel you will find the kings are spoken of as either doing or not doing what was right in the eyes of the Lord. Two examples from Moses set the stage for this reasoning. (Ex.15:22-26; Deut.12:20-25) It is still right in the eyes of the Lord to not consume blood.

When a land and its people loose sight of what is right in the eyes of the Lord and do only what seems right in their own eyes, trouble is swift to follow. In the days of Hezekiah the services of the temple and the various annual feasts had lost their place in the lives of the people and the peoples leaders. No longer did everyone go the temple and offer sacrifices to the Lord. Too much bother and trouble and time and expense.

It is an easy thing to slip away from doing what is right and good and necessary into self-serving personnel interests and appetites and desires. Hezekiah at 25 became King which gave him the power and authority to accomplish great things for good or for bad. His heart was to restore that which was lost and neglected. 2Chron.16:9 enlightens us concerning the benefits of a heart set towards the Lord. "For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him."

Hezekiah’s heart was fully committed, yes he was king but the strengthening came from the Lord. (see 2Chro.29:36) What he did was demonstrate his passion for what was pleasing in the eyes of the Lord by his actions, his purpose and his intent. We see some of this in 30:22 "Hezekiah spoke encouragingly to all the Levites, who showed good understanding of the service of the Lord."

We also learn something about God and our relationship to him. God calls His people to obedience, this is evidenced by what took place following the sacrifices. (see 2Chron.30:18-22) Truly God is Good and His mercies endure forever)

It has been the heart of the Lords Church to see restoration in the faith and practice of its people back to what is found in scriptural example. What is right in the eyes of the Lord? Paul shares an axiom of truth for us in 1Cor.10:6,11 The past, in all its glory and corruption, was written down for our learning so that we might make better judgments than those who gone on before us.

We have made more than a few efforts to see growth of this church body and yet have experienced little results. Scripture tells us that it is the Lord who gives the increase. The old question still seeks it’s answer; why have we not grown? The answer is the Lord’s to give.

As a body of believers I as your preacher, as your elder, and especially as your servant and fellow laborer in the Lord would ask of you this one thing, yes even two – set your hearts fully on seeking the Lord and His Goodness. (see 2Chron.30:18b-20 and 26-27)