Hezekiah received the envoys and showed them all that was in his storehouses—the silver, the gold, the spices and the fine olive oil—his armory and everything found among his treasures. There was nothing in his palace or in all his kingdom that Hezekiah did not show them.
2 Kings 20:13 (NIV)

In his famous poem Song of Myself, Walt Whitman penned a line that has taken on a life of its own over time:

Do I contradict myself?
Very well then I contradict myself,
(I am large, I contain multitudes.

Along my life journey, I’ve observed that we human beings can display enormous contradictions. As a disciple of Jesus, I am required to humbly embrace my own contradictions and shortcomings. Doing so is essential to being an agent of grace with others. To the measure I experience God’s grace at my own sinful contradictions, I am able to extend grace to others in theirs.

In yesterday’s chapter, good King Hezekiah was a shining example of humility and faith. He brought the King of Assyria’s poisoned pen letter and spread it before God in the temple, acknowledging his trust in God instead of grasping for human means of coping with the conflict. Today’s chapter shows us a contradictory side of good King Hezekiah.

The chapter opens with Hezekiah getting a terminal diagnosis. Once again, he spreads out his plea before God. God heals him and grants him another fifteen years of life. God even provides a miraculous sign to assure him.

That’s twice that Hezekiah has experienced God’s gracious deliverance.

In the second episode of today’s chapter, some envoys from Babylon arrive. There is conflict between the emerging Babylonian Empire and the Assyrian Empire that just attacked Jerusalem. It’s likely that the Babylonians are looking for allies. Hezekiah gives them a grand tour. He does his best to impress the Babylonian bigwigs. He puts his treasures, his military might, and his vast power and wealth on display. As he does so, he reveals a very different person than the one we saw in the previous chapter.

Yesterday, Hezekiah spread his troubles out before God. Today, he spreads his treasures out to impress men.

In the account of Hezekiah’s reign in 2 Chronicles the narrator makes an interesting added observation that’s not in today’s chapter:

“But Hezekiah’s heart was proud, and he did not respond to the kindness shown him…” 2 Chronicles 32:25a (NIV)

Consider the contrast:

The most dangerous message Hezekiah received wasn’t necessarily the one that threatened him. It may have been the one that flattered him.

I found something unsettling about that as I meditated on it this morning. I generally recognize threats as threats. I instinctively turn toward God when circumstances overwhelm me. But compliments, opportunities, recognition, prosperity, and invitations into influential circles? Those can slip past my spiritual defenses without raising a single alarm.

Sometimes the greatest threat to my soul isn’t the enemy at the gate. It’s the flattering guest at my table.

But the contradictions of Hezekiah go even deeper. When the Babylonians head home, Isaiah prophesies that all the treasure Hezekiah showed them will one day be carried off to Babylon. Even Hezekiah’s descendants will be exiles and eunuchs in the distant land.

Hezekiah’s response? He basically says: “Oh well. Better them than me!”

At the beginning of today’s chapter, Hezekiah desperately wants more life. But, what does he do with the life he’s been given? God grants him fifteen additional years. Fifteen years of sunrises. Fifteen years of conversations, decisions, relationships, responsibilities, and opportunities.

And when Isaiah reveals the coming catastrophe, Hezekiah appears to shrug it off, content that it won’t happen on his watch. The irony that almost aches. The man who pleaded for a future seems remarkably unconcerned about the future that follows him.

Yet, in the quiet this morning I find myself reluctant to point a finger at Hezekiah when I know three of my fingers will be pointing back at me. It’s not fair of me to reduce Hezekiah’s entire legacy to one unfortunate response. He was a faithful reformer who did tremendous good for Judah. And his response to Isaiah may include genuine gratitude for God’s mercy.

Whitman’s famous line applies to me as well as it does to Hezekiah.

I contradict myself.
I contain multitudes.

I don’t know how many sunrises remain. But I do know that every additional sunrise is another opportunity to sow something that might bear fruit long after I’m gone. The question isn’t merely how much time God will give me. It’s what I’m doing with the time I’ve already been given. And perhaps, even more importantly, whether I’m living only for the peace of my days or faithfully investing in the generations whose days will follow mine.

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