What can we learn from the people's reaction to Hezekiah's messengers? Setting the Scene After years of apostasy, King Hezekiah sends couriers throughout Israel and Judah, urging everyone to come to Jerusalem for the Passover. 2 Chronicles 30:10 records the first response: “So the couriers traveled from city to city in Ephraim and Manasseh, as far as Zebulun, but the people scorned and mocked them.” A Snapshot of Human Hearts • Hardened hearts resist even gracious invitations. • National heritage does not guarantee spiritual receptivity; Ephraim and Manasseh were covenant people yet still ridiculed the call. • Mockery often masks conviction—ridicule becomes a defense against the truth. What Their Mocking Reveals • Pride: Refusal to humble themselves before Jerusalem’s temple (cf. 2 Chron 30:11). • Spiritual blindness: “The natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God” (1 Corinthians 2:14). • Misplaced security: They assumed life could continue without returning to the LORD (cf. Amos 4:6–11). • Contagious unbelief: Scoffing spreads quickly, just as faith does (2 Peter 3:3). Lessons for Messengers Today • Expect mixed responses. Paul met mockery in Athens (Acts 17:32), yet still preached. • Keep the invitation clear and scriptural—Hezekiah quoted covenant promises (2 Chron 30:6–9). • Persevere; some will respond (2 Chron 30:11)—our task is faithfulness, not results. • Speak with compassion, not retaliation (2 Timothy 2:24–25). Lessons for Hearers Today • Ridicule of truth carries real consequences. Those who mocked missed the blessing of national revival (2 Chron 30:26). • Delay hardens the heart (Hebrews 3:7–8). Every refusal strengthens rebellion. • God’s call is gracious but not indefinite (Proverbs 29:1). • A humble response opens the door to cleansing and joy (Psalm 51:17; 2 Chron 30:12). Echoes Throughout Scripture • Luke 14:16–24—those invited to the great banquet made excuses and were shut out. • John 1:10–11—“He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.” • Matthew 22:1–7—mockers of the king’s invitation faced judgment. • Proverbs 1:24–28—wisdom laughs at scoffers when calamity strikes. Hope Beyond the Mockery Even while some scoffed, “Yet some from Asher, Manasseh, and Zebulun humbled themselves and came to Jerusalem” (2 Chron 30:11). God always preserves a remnant ready to respond. Mockery cannot cancel His mercy; the door remains open to any who will turn and accept His invitation today. |
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