History is not everybody’s favourite subject, but it is an important one.
Both the Spanish philosopher George Santayana and British statesman Sir Winston Churchill are credited with saying some version of “Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.”
In recent years there have been efforts to remove parts and people of history who don’t fit today’s politically correct narrative. But history goes back so much further and has roots so much deeper than we like to think.
The books of first and second Kings in the Bible contain fascinating history. While some may find Biblical history boring and loathe reading genealogies and accounts of kings and past people, these passages are included in the Bible for a reason. As I’ve written before, there are always lessons that can be learned from each detail that is included in Scripture.
In 2 Kings 18, we read about Hezekiah, the 13th king of Judah. Hezekiah stands out as a man who learned from the mistakes of others, who was all in for God, and who was not a product of his circumstances.
Hezekiah learned from the mistakes of others, including his own father. He didn’t need to make the same mistakes himself; God gave him wisdom to see the dreadful results of rejecting God and His Word.
As a result, Hezekiah “removed the high places, and brake the images, and cut down the groves, and brake in pieces the brazen serpent that Moses had made” (2 Kings 18:4). Hezekiah “trusted in the Lord God of Israel” (v. 5). He learned by looking at the poor choices others had made, and deciding not to make those choices himself. What’s the old saying, “A wise man learns from the mistakes of others but a fool learns by his own mistakes.” Hezekiah was no fool. There are several Proverbs about instruction and learning from our parents, and in this case, Hezekiah learned what not to do. Although Ahaz was a wicked man, his son Hezekiah was wise, just, and ready to learn. “A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels” (Proverbs 1:5).
Hezekiah made an impact because he was all-in for God. He didn’t just do things halfway, and he didn’t compromise. “He did that which was right in the sight of the Lord” (2 Kings 18:3). While other kings before Hezekiah did what was right, we read several times that they “removed not the high places”. Where other kings had fallen short, Hezekiah went the distance. I’d liken it to present-day leaders who are strong in certain areas, but wet noodles when it comes to important decisions on such topics as abortion, justice and education. Hezekiah was a reformer in every way, and He did remove the high places. He “clave to the Lord” (v. 6) and as a result, God was with him and prospered him.
Hezekiah was not a product of his circumstances. His dad was the wicked king Ahaz (also known as Jehoahaz) who we read was one of the most wicked and worst kings in history (2 Kings 16). Hezekiah came to rule at a time when Israel was pretty messed up. Wrong was considered right, right was considered wrong, and people were doing whatever they wanted (sound familiar?).
Unlike his father, Hezekiah didn’t compromise and go with the flow. He reigned bravely, ruled justly, and was instrumental in restoring the temple.
Like Hezekiah, we too can make a difference when we learn from others, stand up for the truth and rise above unfavourable circumstances.