2 Chronicles 31:20,21

2 Chronicles 29:1 ; 2 Chronicles 31:20

I. Studying the life and reign of Hezekiah, we discover, first, that he is an illustration of the sovereignty of God in conversion. He was the son of one of the most impious monarchs that ever sat on the throne of Israel. Parental and royal influence combined to make him a bad man and a worse king.

II. The conversion of Hezekiah, therefore, should give encouragement to the children of unchristian parents. It is the way of God to save men when to human view their salvation is incredible. He delights in miracles of grace.

III. The upright character of Hezekiah illustrates also that the conversion of men is often assisted by their natural recoil from extreme wickedness. Sin is often used to defeat itself.

One of the reasons why it is permitted to run its course and come to a head is that men may see it in its hideous maturity.

IV. The narrative illustrates the fact that when God converts men from amidst surroundings of great depravity, He often has some great and signal service for them to do for Him. He summoned Hezekiah to the reformation of a kingdom.

V. The work of Hezekiah illustrates the moral power of one man in effecting a great work to which God has called him.

VI. The work of Hezekiah illustrates also the suddenness with which God often achieves by the hand of such men great changes in the progress of His kingdom.

A. Phelps, The Old Testament a Living Book,p. 111.