"Set Thine House In Order"
Last Updated on May 24, 2015, by eNotes Editorial. Word Count: 184
Context: Hezekiah stands out as one of the best kings of Judah: he destroys the groves on the hilltops, the centers for pagan worship; he breaks the bronze serpent made by Moses, to which the Israelites have burned incense for centuries; and he follows all the commandments of Moses. During the early successful years of his reign, Hezekiah defies Assyria, refusing to pay the customary tribute, and drives back the Philistines. Hezekiah, still a young man, becomes seriously ill. The prophet Isaiah of Amoz comes to him with the message:
. . . Thus saith the Lord, Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live.
Then he turned his face to the wall, and prayed unto the Lord, saying,
I beseech thee, O Lord, remember now how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore.
. . . afore Isaiah was gone . . . the word of the Lord came to him, saying,
. . . tell Hezekiah . . . I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee. . . .
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