Thematic Bible
Thematic Bible
Ambassadors » Berodach to hezekiah
The king of Babylonia, Merodach Baladan son of Baladan heard that King Hezekiah was sick. So he sent him a letter and a present.
When the leaders of Babylon sent ambassadors to ask him about the miraculous sign that had happened in the land, God left him. God did this to test him, to find out everything that was in Hezekiah's heart.
hezekiah » King of judah » His lack of wisdom in showing his resources to commissioners of babylon
But Hezekiah was conceited. So he did not repay Jehovah for his kindness. Jehovah became angry with him, with Judah, and with Jerusalem. Hezekiah and the people living in Jerusalem humbled themselves when they realized they had become conceited. Thus Jehovah did not vent his anger on them during Hezekiah's time.
When the leaders of Babylon sent ambassadors to ask him about the miraculous sign that had happened in the land, God left him. God did this to test him, to find out everything that was in Hezekiah's heart.
The king of Babylonia, Merodach Baladan son of Baladan heard that King Hezekiah was sick. So he sent him a letter and a present. Hezekiah welcomed the messengers and showed them his wealth. He showed his silver and gold. He also let them look at his spices and perfumes. He even showed all his military equipment. There was nothing in his storerooms or anywhere in his kingdom that he did not show them. The prophet Isaiah went to King Hezekiah and asked: Where did these men come from and what did they say to you? Hezekiah answered: They came from a very distant country, from Babylonia. read more.
Isaiah then said: What did they see in your palace? Hezekiah replied: They saw everything in my palace. I showed them everything in my treasury. Isaiah said to Hezekiah: Hear the word of Jehovah! Jehovah says: 'The time will come when everything in your palace, everything your ancestors have stored up to this day, will be taken away to Babylon. Nothing will be left. Some of your own descendants will be taken away. They will become officials in the palace of the king of Babylon.' Hezekiah said to Isaiah: The word of Jehovah that you spoke is good. He added: Is it not good that there is peace and security as long as I live?
Isaiah then said: What did they see in your palace? Hezekiah replied: They saw everything in my palace. I showed them everything in my treasury. Isaiah said to Hezekiah: Hear the word of Jehovah! Jehovah says: 'The time will come when everything in your palace, everything your ancestors have stored up to this day, will be taken away to Babylon. Nothing will be left. Some of your own descendants will be taken away. They will become officials in the palace of the king of Babylon.' Hezekiah said to Isaiah: The word of Jehovah that you spoke is good. He added: Is it not good that there is peace and security as long as I live?
Interpreter » Of languages
Yet if there is an angel on his side as a mediator, one out of a thousand, to tell a man what is right for him,
When the leaders of Babylon sent ambassadors to ask him about the miraculous sign that had happened in the land, God left him. God did this to test him, to find out everything that was in Hezekiah's heart.
They read from the book the Law of God making it clear (translating it), so that their minds were able to take it in.
Pride » Instances of » Hezekiah, in displaying his resources
When the leaders of Babylon sent ambassadors to ask him about the miraculous sign that had happened in the land, God left him. God did this to test him, to find out everything that was in Hezekiah's heart.
Hezekiah welcomed the messengers and showed them his wealth. He showed his silver and gold. He also let them look at his spices and perfumes. He even showed all his military equipment. There was nothing in his storerooms or anywhere in his kingdom that he did not show them.
Hezekiah received the envoys gladly and showed them what was in his storehouses. He showed them the silver, the gold, the spices, the fine oil, his entire armory and everything found among his treasures. There was nothing in his palace or in his entire kingdom that Hezekiah did not show them.
Spiritual » Tests divine methods used for testing believers » By giving opportunities for choice
You have probed my heart. You have confronted me at night. You have tested me like silver, but you found nothing wrong. I have decided that my mouth will not sin.
When the leaders of Babylon sent ambassadors to ask him about the miraculous sign that had happened in the land, God left him. God did this to test him, to find out everything that was in Hezekiah's heart.
That night Jehovah appeared to him in a dream and asked him: What do you want me to give you?
Jehovah tests (examines) righteous and wicked people alike. He hates wicked people and the ones who love violence.
Let the evil of the wicked come to an end. Establish the righteous, you who test the minds and hearts, O righteous God.
Temptation » A test
By faith Abraham, being tested, offered up Isaac. He that had gladly received the promises was offering up his only-begotten son!
Learn this lesson by heart: Jehovah your God disciplined you like parents discipline their children.
I will bring the third part into the fire. I will refine them, as silver is refined, and I will test them as gold is tested. They will call on my name, and I will hear them. I will say: 'It is my people!' They will say: 'Jehovah is my God!'
The man who endures under trial is blessed. For when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life that God promised to those who love him.
Verse Concepts
BattlesBlessedCrowns Of ChristiansFate Of The GodlyFaith, Testing OfAssurance, basis ofCommendationeternal life, experience ofdiscipline, divineCharacterAthleticsLove, Nature OfPerseverancePrizesGod's PromisesPunishment, By GodSatan, Resistance ToSelf DisciplineTemptation, ResistingTestingTrialsTrust, Importance OfAfflictions, Consolation DuringLove For GodSuffering, Hardship
Endurance In DiscouragementCrowns For God's PeopleEnduringPeople Commended By GodBemaPromise Of HeavenUniversalismTemptationEnduranceLife StrugglesOvercoming Hard TimesHardshipPatience In Hard TimesResisting TemptationTestsOvercoming AdversityPersistenceHard Work And Perseveranceperserverancepatientsperseveringcrownsexamstrailspressure
When the leaders of Babylon sent ambassadors to ask him about the miraculous sign that had happened in the land, God left him. God did this to test him, to find out everything that was in Hezekiah's heart.
God tested Abraham. He said to him: Abraham! Abraham replied: Here I am. Take your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah. Offer him as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I will tell you. Early the next morning Abraham saddled his donkey. He took two of his servants and his son Isaac with him. He had cut the wood for the burnt offering. Then he set out for the place that God had told him about. read more.
Two days later Abraham saw the place in the distance. He said to the servants: Stay here with the donkey. The boy and I will go over there and worship. Then we will come back to you. Abraham made Isaac carry the wood for the sacrifice. Abraham carried a knife and live coals for starting the fire. As they walked along together, Isaac spoke up: Father! He answered: Yes, my son? Isaac asked: I see that you have the coals and the wood, but where is the lamb for the sacrifice? Abraham answered: God will provide one. And the two of them walked on together. They came to the place God had told him about. Abraham built an altar and arranged the wood on it. He tied up his son and placed him on the altar, on top of the wood. Then he picked up the knife to kill him. Jehovah's angel shouted from heaven: Abraham! Abraham! Here I am! he answered. Do not hurt the boy or harm him in any way! The angel said. Now I know that you truly obey God, because you were willing to offer him your only son. Abraham looked up and saw a ram caught by its horns in the bushes. So he took the ram and sacrificed it in place of his son. Abraham named that place Jehovah Will Provide. It is still said today: It will be provided on the mountain of Jehovah.
Two days later Abraham saw the place in the distance. He said to the servants: Stay here with the donkey. The boy and I will go over there and worship. Then we will come back to you. Abraham made Isaac carry the wood for the sacrifice. Abraham carried a knife and live coals for starting the fire. As they walked along together, Isaac spoke up: Father! He answered: Yes, my son? Isaac asked: I see that you have the coals and the wood, but where is the lamb for the sacrifice? Abraham answered: God will provide one. And the two of them walked on together. They came to the place God had told him about. Abraham built an altar and arranged the wood on it. He tied up his son and placed him on the altar, on top of the wood. Then he picked up the knife to kill him. Jehovah's angel shouted from heaven: Abraham! Abraham! Here I am! he answered. Do not hurt the boy or harm him in any way! The angel said. Now I know that you truly obey God, because you were willing to offer him your only son. Abraham looked up and saw a ram caught by its horns in the bushes. So he took the ram and sacrificed it in place of his son. Abraham named that place Jehovah Will Provide. It is still said today: It will be provided on the mountain of Jehovah.
Remember the forty years Jehovah your God led you in the wilderness. He did this in order to humble you and test you. He wanted to know what was in your heart. Whether you would obey his commandments.
If a prophet or an interpreter of dreams appears among you and gives you a sign or a wonder (portent) (omen) (forecast of the future), in order to lead you to worship and serve gods that you have not worshiped before, and even if what they promise comes true, do not listen to them. Jehovah your God is allowing them to test you. He will then know that you love Jehovah with all your heart.
You greatly rejoice in this, though you have been grieved with various trials for a little while. The proof of your faith is more precious than gold that perishes. Though it is tested by fire, it may be found in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials. Know that the testing of your faith produces patience (endurance).
Did you notice my servant Job? Jehovah asked. There is no one on earth as faithful and good as he is. He respects me and is careful not to do anything evil. Satan replied: Would Job respect you if he got nothing out of it? You have always protected him and his family and everything he owns. You bless everything he does. You have given him enough cattle to fill the whole country. read more.
Now suppose you take away everything he has. He will curse you to your face! All right, Jehovah said to Satan, everything he has is in your power, but you must not hurt Job! So Satan left. One day when Job's children were having a feast at the home of their oldest brother, a messenger came running to Job. We were plowing the fields with the cattle, he said, and the donkeys were in a nearby pasture. Suddenly the Sabeans attacked and stole them all. They killed every one of your servants except me. I am the only one who escaped to tell you. Before he finished speaking, another servant came and said: Lightning struck the sheep and the shepherds and killed them all. I am the only one who escaped to tell you. Before he finished speaking, another servant came and said: Three bands of Chaldean raiders attacked us. They took away the camels and killed all your servants except me. I am the only one who escaped to tell you. No sooner had he finished speaking, then another servant came and said: Your children were having a feast at the home of your oldest son, when a storm swept in from the desert. It blew the house down and killed them all. I am the only one who escaped to tell you. Then Job got up and tore his clothes in grief. He shaved his head and threw himself face down on the ground. He said: I was born with nothing (naked), and I will die with nothing. Jehovah gave, and now he has taken away. Blessed be the name of Jehovah! In spite of everything that had happened, Job did not sin by blaming God.
Now suppose you take away everything he has. He will curse you to your face! All right, Jehovah said to Satan, everything he has is in your power, but you must not hurt Job! So Satan left. One day when Job's children were having a feast at the home of their oldest brother, a messenger came running to Job. We were plowing the fields with the cattle, he said, and the donkeys were in a nearby pasture. Suddenly the Sabeans attacked and stole them all. They killed every one of your servants except me. I am the only one who escaped to tell you. Before he finished speaking, another servant came and said: Lightning struck the sheep and the shepherds and killed them all. I am the only one who escaped to tell you. Before he finished speaking, another servant came and said: Three bands of Chaldean raiders attacked us. They took away the camels and killed all your servants except me. I am the only one who escaped to tell you. No sooner had he finished speaking, then another servant came and said: Your children were having a feast at the home of your oldest son, when a storm swept in from the desert. It blew the house down and killed them all. I am the only one who escaped to tell you. Then Job got up and tore his clothes in grief. He shaved his head and threw himself face down on the ground. He said: I was born with nothing (naked), and I will die with nothing. Jehovah gave, and now he has taken away. Blessed be the name of Jehovah! In spite of everything that had happened, Job did not sin by blaming God.
Jehovah asked Satan: Have you thought about my servant Job? No one in the world is like him! He is a man of integrity! He is decent and he respects God. He stays away from evil. And he still holds on to his principles. You are trying to provoke me into ruining him for no reason. Satan answered Jehovah: Skin for skin! Certainly, a man will give everything he has for his life. But stretch out your hand, and strike his flesh and bones and he will curse you to your face! read more.
Jehovah told Satan: He is in your power, but you must spare his life! Satan left Jehovah's presence and struck Job with painful boils from the bottom of his feet to the top of his head. Job took a piece of broken pottery to scratch his sores as he sat in the ashes. His wife asked him: Are you still holding on to your principles? Curse God and die! He said to her: You are talking like a godless fool. We accept the good that God gives us. Should we not also accept the bad? Through all this Job did not speak sinful words.
Jehovah told Satan: He is in your power, but you must spare his life! Satan left Jehovah's presence and struck Job with painful boils from the bottom of his feet to the top of his head. Job took a piece of broken pottery to scratch his sores as he sat in the ashes. His wife asked him: Are you still holding on to your principles? Curse God and die! He said to her: You are talking like a godless fool. We accept the good that God gives us. Should we not also accept the bad? Through all this Job did not speak sinful words.
You have tested us, O God. You have refined us in the same way silver is refined. You have trapped us in a net. You have laid burdens on our backs. You let people ride over our heads. We went through fire and water, but then you brought us out and refreshed us. read more.
I will come into your temple with burnt offerings. I will keep my vows to you,
I will come into your temple with burnt offerings. I will keep my vows to you,
Many will purify themselves, and make themselves white, and be refined. The wicked will do wickedly and none of the wicked will understand. Those who are wise will understand!
spiritual Tests » Divine methods used for testing believers » By giving opportunities for choice
You have probed my heart. You have confronted me at night. You have tested me like silver, but you found nothing wrong. I have decided that my mouth will not sin.
When the leaders of Babylon sent ambassadors to ask him about the miraculous sign that had happened in the land, God left him. God did this to test him, to find out everything that was in Hezekiah's heart.
That night Jehovah appeared to him in a dream and asked him: What do you want me to give you?
Jehovah tests (examines) righteous and wicked people alike. He hates wicked people and the ones who love violence.
Let the evil of the wicked come to an end. Establish the righteous, you who test the minds and hearts, O righteous God.