What does a leader look like? There are so many examples in scripture and one of my favorites is King Hezekiah. Read 2 Chronicles 32 to get the full story. Let me give you a few of the highlights!
Hezekiah was a man after God’s heart. He made sure to restore Judah back to a true worship of only God by cleansing the land of all worship of other gods. Before Hezekiah was made king, his father “Ahaz gathered together the furnishings from the temple of God and cut them in pieces. He shut the doors of the Lord’s temple and set up altars at every street corner in Jerusalem.” He was a selfish and mean king. Thankfully, Hezekiah did not follow after his footsteps.
After all was completed, King Sennacherib of Assyria came to invade Judah. Hezekiah went into leadership mode. First, he commands the water to be blocked as he had made preparation for the people by digging an underground water source. There are other preparations made; repairing the walls, building new ones, made weapons and shields. Next, he appoints military officers over the people and gives them instruction and encouragement. In 1 Chron. 32:7 we see that he knows they are afraid as he says, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged…” He knows his people. Then, he reminds them of who is in charge. Verse 8 says, “With him (Sennacherib) is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles.”
In contrast, the King of Assyria begins to bring doubt and worry into the situation. He questions where they are placing their confidence, he tells them that God is misleading them, and belittles them by saying they only have one God and he has many. He begins bragging of all the destruction he has done and how mighty he is. He says in verse 15, “Now do not let Hezekiah deceive you and mislead you like this. Do not believe him, for no god of any nation or kingdom has been able to deliver his people from my hand or the hand of my predecessors. How much less will your god deliver you from my hand!”
Then King Sennacherib does something that the enemy does so well. He begins to call out to them in their own language to terrify them and make them afraid. The enemy knows exactly what “our language” is. He knew how to tempt Jesus. He knew what would bring pain to Job. He knew what would tempt Eve (and Adam). Our choice is to do just what King Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah did. They lead the people by crying out in prayer about it.
The Lord sends an angel who annihilates all of the warriors, commanders and officers. The king ran back in disgrace to Assyria. When he got home, he was murdered by his sons. The Lord saved Hezekiah and the people of Jerusalem. Verse 22 says “He took care of them on every side.”
At the end of Hezekiah’s life, he became ill. He again went to the Lord in prayer. But, his heart had become so proud and God’s wrath was upon him. But, once again we see this man after God’s heart be a great leader. He goes to God in repentance of his pride. We read of so many kings before and after him who became prideful and did not repent. Humility and dying to ego also makes for a good leader.