1 This history is described a little more extensively against the frightening monster of presumption. The Lord had preserved Hezekiah in the beginning during the siege and the war, and afterward in his serious illness, so that he would not fall into presumption. Nevertheless, the old serpent has not yet been overcome, but comes again and lifts up his head. So even we cannot be constant if God does not put us on the cross.
(2) Now here is seen the use of tribulation, that it killeth the flesh, which cannot bear good days. For the faith of Hezekiah, which so great an army of war could not overcome, is overthrown by the messengers who came from a friendly king. Therefore we have not so great danger to fear from our enemies as from our friends. For when they praise and honor us to our faces, they make us puffed up and arrogant. Thus, the good king is seen here as a
The one who is arrogant, ungrateful and does not remember the great benefits of God is described as the one who is arrogant, ungrateful and does not remember the great benefits of God.
If there is no other misery that should make this life hateful to us, then at least the sins, and especially this, that one can easily fall into presumption, should make this life hateful to us. Every age has its infirmities. Young people are plagued by unchastity, which is hardly eradicated by entering into matrimony. In manly age, wealth is sought and accumulated, and there avarice grows. If a man has lived well and honorably, has administered his office rightly, has been a good person in authority, a good pastor, 2c., then the self-cherishing arises, which is actually found, along with avarice, among the old. Thus our life is not only sinful, but sin itself. In addition, there are so many other evils. Infancy must be prepared to suffer injustice from everyone; youth is exposed to all dangers, male old age to all dangers.
subject to all diseases and afflictions; and yet the hard neck of man cannot be broken nor subdued by so many ills. Even though we are pressed by so many tribulations and sins, we are still proud, presumptuous, and surely despise God and His judgment; we fall into many and grave sins. Therefore, there is no hope that we can live in this flesh without sins, and we have to confess: O Lord Jesus, how often and how grievously have I sinned! You see it, I cannot see everything, forgive 2c.
4 This is the story of Hezekiah, which can give great comfort to those who have fallen into sin, and great fear to those who are secure. For if such a great king, after such severe trials, could not stand, neither shall we. However, just as he was forgiven, so will we also be forgiven.
V. 2 Hezekiah rejoiced.
5, To rejoice is not evil, but to rejoice over a creature in such a way that one forgets God, does not recognize His benefits, does not give Him
thanks for it, that is evil. But it is easy to fall here in good days. Blessed are those who fear the Lord.
V. 3-7. Behold, the time cometh, that all that is in thine house, and that which thy fathers have gathered unto this day, shall be brought unto Babylon.
(6) Those with whom you make a covenant will rob you. Thus it is: he who sows in the flesh shall reap in tears. The outcome of alliances has always been such that those have done the most harm to those who promised the other party the greatest advantage. Even if it seems to be a small sin to let royal envoys come before him and show them his treasures and power, it is clear enough from the punishment that it was an exceedingly great sin, because the prophet threatens the devastation of the whole kingdom because of it.
V. 8. The word of the Lord is good.
7 This confession gets him that the punishment is postponed.