2 chronicles 32:31 - However concerning the ambassadors of the princes of Babylon, who sent to him to inquire of the wonder that was done in the land, God left him, to try him, that he might know all that was in his heart.
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What does "2 chronicles 32:31" mean?
This verse from 2 Chronicles 32:31 describes a specific event involving King Hezekiah of Judah and ambassadors from Babylon. Let's break down the meaning:
"However concerning the ambassadors of the princes of Babylon, who sent to him to inquire of the wonder that was done in the land..." This refers to a diplomatic mission from Babylon to Judah. The Babylonians were curious about a "wonder" that had occurred in Judah. This likely refers to the miraculous healing of Hezekiah from a deadly illness, and the shadow moving backward on the sundial, which was a sign God gave him (see 2 Kings 20). The Babylonians, being astronomers, would have been particularly interested in such a sign.
"...God left him, to try him..." This is the key and most impactful part of the verse. It states that God deliberately "left" Hezekiah. This doesn't mean God abandoned him completely, but rather that God withdrew His direct guiding hand and protective influence for a period. The purpose was "to try him," meaning to test Hezekiah's character and motivations.
"...that he might know all that was in his heart." This clarifies the purpose of the test. God already knows everything, of course. However, the test was meant to reveal to Hezekiah himself "all that was in his heart"—his true pride, ambition, and reliance on God.
In summary, the verse means that after Hezekiah's miraculous healing, the Babylonians sent ambassadors to investigate. God, seeing this as an opportunity to reveal Hezekiah's true character, allowed Hezekiah to make his own decisions without divine intervention. The test was designed to expose Hezekiah's potential pride and self-reliance, so that he (and perhaps others) could learn from the experience.
The Implications and Lessons:
The Danger of Pride: The story suggests that Hezekiah failed the test. He proudly showed the Babylonian ambassadors all his treasures, wealth, and military stores (2 Kings 20:12-13). This display of self-importance and reliance on earthly possessions was a sign of pride and a failure to give God the credit for Judah's prosperity.
God Tests His People: This verse illustrates that God sometimes allows trials and temptations to reveal the true nature of people's hearts. These trials are not meant to destroy us but to help us grow and become more reliant on Him.
Knowing Yourself: The verse highlights the importance of self-reflection and understanding our own motivations. We need to be aware of our potential weaknesses and tendencies toward pride, so that we can resist temptation and remain humble before God.
Dependence on God: The ultimate lesson is the need to remain dependent on God in all circumstances, even when things are going well. Hezekiah's lapse in judgment shows that even after experiencing God's power and grace, we can still fall prey to pride and self-reliance if we are not vigilant.
The story of Hezekiah and the Babylonian ambassadors serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of pride and the importance of remaining humble and dependent on God.
2 chronicles 32:31 - However concerning the ambassadors of the princes of Babylon, who sent to him to inquire of the wonder that was done in the land, God left him, to try him, that he might know all that was in his heart.
What does "2 chronicles 32:31" mean?
This verse from 2 Chronicles 32:31 describes a specific event involving King Hezekiah of Judah and ambassadors from Babylon. Let's break down the meaning:
"However concerning the ambassadors of the princes of Babylon, who sent to him to inquire of the wonder that was done in the land..." This refers to a diplomatic mission from Babylon to Judah. The Babylonians were curious about a "wonder" that had occurred in Judah. This likely refers to the miraculous healing of Hezekiah from a deadly illness, and the shadow moving backward on the sundial, which was a sign God gave him (see 2 Kings 20). The Babylonians, being astronomers, would have been particularly interested in such a sign.
"...God left him, to try him..." This is the key and most impactful part of the verse. It states that God deliberately "left" Hezekiah. This doesn't mean God abandoned him completely, but rather that God withdrew His direct guiding hand and protective influence for a period. The purpose was "to try him," meaning to test Hezekiah's character and motivations.
"...that he might know all that was in his heart." This clarifies the purpose of the test. God already knows everything, of course. However, the test was meant to reveal to Hezekiah himself "all that was in his heart"—his true pride, ambition, and reliance on God.
In summary, the verse means that after Hezekiah's miraculous healing, the Babylonians sent ambassadors to investigate. God, seeing this as an opportunity to reveal Hezekiah's true character, allowed Hezekiah to make his own decisions without divine intervention. The test was designed to expose Hezekiah's potential pride and self-reliance, so that he (and perhaps others) could learn from the experience.
The Implications and Lessons:
The Danger of Pride: The story suggests that Hezekiah failed the test. He proudly showed the Babylonian ambassadors all his treasures, wealth, and military stores (2 Kings 20:12-13). This display of self-importance and reliance on earthly possessions was a sign of pride and a failure to give God the credit for Judah's prosperity.
God Tests His People: This verse illustrates that God sometimes allows trials and temptations to reveal the true nature of people's hearts. These trials are not meant to destroy us but to help us grow and become more reliant on Him.
Knowing Yourself: The verse highlights the importance of self-reflection and understanding our own motivations. We need to be aware of our potential weaknesses and tendencies toward pride, so that we can resist temptation and remain humble before God.
Dependence on God: The ultimate lesson is the need to remain dependent on God in all circumstances, even when things are going well. Hezekiah's lapse in judgment shows that even after experiencing God's power and grace, we can still fall prey to pride and self-reliance if we are not vigilant.
The story of Hezekiah and the Babylonian ambassadors serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of pride and the importance of remaining humble and dependent on God.