Sermon Central
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A Home Invasion
Contributed by Scott Thomas on Oct 21, 2013 (message contributor)
Summary: This is a story that very few preach about. It is the story of Hezekiah allowing the enemy of God into his home. He allowed a home invasion in the name have making peace with the enemy of God. He died, and his family was lost to Babylon.
A Home Invasion
12 At that time Berodachbaladan, the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present unto Hezekiah: for he had heard that Hezekiah had been sick.
13 And Hezekiah hearkened unto them, and shewed them all the house of his precious things, the silver, and the gold, and the spices, and the precious ointment, and all the house of his armour, and all that was found in his treasures: there was nothing in his house, nor in all his dominion, that Hezekiah shewed them not.
14 Then came Isaiah the prophet unto king Hezekiah, and said unto him, What said these men? and from whence came they unto thee? And Hezekiah said, They are come from a far country, even from Babylon.
15 And he said, What have they seen in thine house? And Hezekiah answered, All the things that are in mine house have they seen: there is nothing among my treasures that I have not shewed them.
16 And Isaiah said unto Hezekiah, Hear the word of the LORD.
17 Behold, the days come, that all that is in thine house, and that which thy fathers have laid up in store unto this day, shall be carried into Babylon: nothing shall be left, saith the LORD.
18 And of thy sons that shall issue from thee, which thou shalt beget, shall they take away; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.
19 Then said Hezekiah unto Isaiah, Good is the word of the LORD which thou hast spoken. And he said, Is it not good, if peace and truth be in my days?
20 And the rest of the acts of Hezekiah, and all his might, and how he made a pool, and a conduit, and brought water into the city, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?
21 And Hezekiah slept with his fathers: and Manasseh his son reigned in his stead.
Intro:
1. There is no doubt after reading this passage that Hezekiah at the end of his life seemed to just a) Forget God b) Failed God c) Forsook God to some extent.
2. Hezekiah allowed the enemy of God to take over his home, his heritage, his hand-me-downs, and his heart as we will see in this message.
3. I want to focus on the question Isaiah asked Hezekiah in verse 15 when he asked, “What have they seen in thine house?” That question is relevant for this day and age!
4. He invited A Home Invasion!
Body – A Home Invasion
I. Notice the Foe
12 At that time Berodachbaladan, the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present unto Hezekiah: for he had heard that Hezekiah had been sick.
A. He is an Enemy!
Babylon was an enemy of God and hated God and God’s people. This man is not of God!
1. He appears Sincere - He hears Hezekiah is sick and he sends what appears to be a very sincere letter and told him that he sure hopes he gets to feeling better soon.
2. He appears Sweet – He even sent Hezekiah a present!
** If you let down your guard, the enemy will appear so sincere and so sweet while you are down, but his objective is to take over what you have!
B. He is an Entertainer
He dangled that carrot in the form of a present in front of Hezekiah just to gain access to what Hezekiah had been blessed with from God.
1. He is Subtle.
2. He is Smooth.
C. He is and Evildoer
1. He Snares. (He catches your attention, then he captures your assets!)
2. He Seizes. (He’ll take everything you have!)
3. He Steals.
D. He is an Executioner
This foe Sabotages, Shatters, and Slays! He will kill your life, your love, your children and your companion!
** Have you allowed a sweet, sincere, subtle, smooth, silver-tongued devil to come into your home?
II. Notice the Fortunes
13And Hezekiah hearkened unto them, and shewed them all the house of his precious things, the silver, and the gold, and the spices, and the precious ointment, and all the house of his armour, and all that was found in his treasures: there was nothing in his house, nor in all his dominion, that Hezekiah shewed them not.
**Notice, only the king’s son sent the letter, but now it has changed from him to them. He brought a bunch of devils with him!
** What does Hezekiah show them?
A. Prized Possessions
1. Protected Treasures
“the silver, and the gold, and the spices”
2. Particular Treasures
“all that was found in his treasures”
B. Preserved Possessions
1. He showed them his Protection.
