returned to the Lord, he would return to them. The people were currently
under the judgement of God. 2 Chronicles 28:8 tells us that they had
become "an object of horror, of astonishment and hissing." Hezekiah
believed that all this could change because God was a merciful and
compassionate God who would relent of this judgement if they returned to
Him. For God to relent, however, they needed to change their ways and
learn to walk in obedience. Their decision would have an impact on what
happened to them as a nation. God would be moved by their decision to
turn to Him. While prayer is important and it does move God to relent, our
actions are also of utmost importance. We cannot expect to see a change in
our situation if we are not willing to walk in obedience to God. Hezekiah's
desire was to see God relent of the disaster He had brought on them when
He saw the sincerity of the hearts of His people to walk in obedience.
In Luke 19 Jesus told the parable of a nobleman who went away on a
journey and left money with his servants to engage in business until he
returned. Upon his return, the nobleman demanded an accounting of what
his servants had done with this money while he was away. The first man
reported that he had multiplied his money tenfold (Luke 19:16, 17). He
received the commendation of his master and was given authority over ten
cities. The second servant multiplied his master's money five times. He too
received the master's approval and was given authority over five cities
(Luke 19:17, 18). The third servant kept his master's money in a
handkerchief. When asked to give a report, he returned only what the
master had given him. The master reprimanded this servant, took what had
been given to him and gave it to the one who had increased his money ten
times (Luke 19:24).
We see how the decisions of each of the servants affected the master. To the
one who was faithful even more was given. To the one who was unfaithful,
what he had was taken from him and given to another. What is the lesson
for us in this parable? Is it not that God is the giver of all gifts and holds us
accountable for all He has given us? Beyond this, however, do we not see
that the Giver of all gifts may also relent and take the gifts He has given us
away if we are not faithful with them?
Our actions touch the relenting Spirit of God. On the one hand our
unfaithfulness may mean that He relents and takes from us the privileges