The Lord was angry against Israel again. The Lord caused David to turn against the Israelites. {David} said, “Go count the people of Israel and Judah.”
2 Chronicles 32:25 - Easy To Read Version But Hezekiah’s heart was proud, so he did not give God thanks for God’s kindness. This is why God was angry at Hezekiah and at the people of Judah and Jerusalem. Tuilleadh leaganachaKing James Version (Oxford) 1769 But Hezekiah rendered not again according to the benefit done unto him; for his heart was lifted up: therefore there was wrath upon him, and upon Judah and Jerusalem. Amplified Bible - Classic Edition But Hezekiah did not make return [to the Lord] according to the benefit done to him, for his heart became proud [at such a spectacular response to his prayer]; therefore there was wrath upon him and upon Judah and Jerusalem. American Standard Version (1901) But Hezekiah rendered not again according to the benefit done unto him; for his heart was lifted up: therefore there was wrath upon him, and upon Judah and Jerusalem. Common English Bible But Hezekiah was too proud to respond appropriately to the kindness he had received, and he, along with Judah and Jerusalem, experienced anger. Catholic Public Domain Version But he did not repay according to the benefits which he had received, for his heart was lifted up. And so wrath was brought against him, and against Judah and Jerusalem. Douay-Rheims version of The Bible - 1752 version But he did not render again according to the benefits which he had received, for his heart was lifted up: and wrath was enkindled against him, and against Juda and Jerusalem. |
The Lord was angry against Israel again. The Lord caused David to turn against the Israelites. {David} said, “Go count the people of Israel and Judah.”
True, you have defeated Edom. But you have become proud because of your victory over Edom. But stay at home and brag! Don’t make trouble for yourself. If you do this, you will fall, and Judah will fall with you!”
At that time, Merodach Baladan son of Baladan was king of Babylon. He sent letters and a gift to Hezekiah. Merodach Baladan did this because he heard Hezekiah had been sick.
Hezekiah welcomed the men from Babylon, and showed them all the valuable things in his house. He showed him the silver, the gold, the spices, the expensive perfume, the weapons, and everything in his treasuries. There was nothing in all Hezekiah’s house and kingdom that he did not show them.
Satan was against the people of Israel. He encouraged David to count the people of Israel.
Jehu the seer {\cf2\super [217]} went out to meet Jehoshaphat. Jehu’s father’s name was Hanani. Jehu said to King Jehoshaphat, “Why did you help evil people? Why do you love those people that hate the Lord? That is the reason the Lord is angry with you.
The king and those leaders rejected the temple {\cf2\super [278]} of the Lord God. Their ancestors {\cf2\super [279]} followed the Lord God. They worshiped the Asherah poles {\cf2\super [280]} and other idols. God was angry with the people of Judah and Jerusalem because the king and those leaders were guilty.
You say to yourself, ‘I have defeated Edom!’ You are proud and you brag. But you should stay at home. There is no need for you to get into trouble. If you fight me, you and Judah will be destroyed.”
But when Uzziah became strong, his pride caused him to be destroyed. He was not faithful to the Lord his God. He went into the Lord’s temple {\cf2\super [298]} to burn incense {\cf2\super [299]} on the altar {\cf2\super [300]} for burning incense.
One time the leaders of Babylon sent messengers to Hezekiah. Those messengers asked about a strange sign that had happened in the nations. {\cf2\super [396]} When they came, God left Hezekiah alone to test him and to know everything that was in Hezekiah’s heart. {\cf2\super [397]}
At that time, Merodach Baladan son of Baladan was king of Babylon. Merodach sent letters and a gift to Hezekiah. Merodach did this because he heard that Hezekiah had been sick.
These things made Hezekiah very happy. So Hezekiah showed the men all the valuable things in his storehouses. Hezekiah showed them the silver, the gold, the spices, and the expensive perfumes. Hezekiah showed them the swords and shields used for war. Hezekiah showed them everything he had saved. Hezekiah showed them everything in his house and in his kingdom.
Your beauty made you proud.\par Your glory ruined your wisdom.\par So I threw you down to the ground.\par And now other kings stare at you.\par
“Son of man, {\cf2\super [233]} say to the ruler of Tyre, ‘The Lord my Master says these things:
Through your great wisdom and trade,\par you have made your riches grow.\par And now you are proud because of\par those riches.\par
So the Lord my Master says these things: “That tree grew tall. Its top reached up to the clouds. It grew so big that it became proud!
The northern army will be defeated, and those soldiers will be carried away. The southern king will be very proud, and he will kill thousands of soldiers from the northern army. But he will not continue to be successful.
But Nebuchadnezzar became proud and stubborn. So his power was taken away from him. He was taken off his royal throne and stripped of his glory.
No, you did not become humble. Instead, you have turned against the Lord of heaven. You ordered the drinking cups from the Lord’s temple to be brought to you. Then you and your royal officials, your wives, and your women servants {\cf2\super [61]} drank wine from those cups. You gave praise to the gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron, wood, and stone. Those are not really gods, they can’t see, or hear, or understand anything. But you did not give honor to the God who has the power over your life and everything you do.
Think about the things you will say. And come back to the Lord. Say to him,
This message can’t help people that refuse to listen to it. But a \{good person will believe this message. And the\} good person will live because of his faith.”
But I must not become too proud of the wonderful things that were shown to me. So a painful problem {\cf2\super [45]} was given to me. That problem is an angel from Satan (the devil). It is sent to beat me and keep me from being too proud.
Is that the way you should pay back the Lord {for all that he did for you? No!} You are stupid, foolish people. The Lord is your Father. He made you. He is your Creator. He supports you.
Don’t ever say to yourself, ‘I got all this wealth by my own power and ability.’
But an elder must not be a new believer. It might make a new believer be too proud of himself \{if he were made an elder\}. Then he would be judged (condemned) for his pride the same as the devil was.