King Hezekiah was a good man who made a bad mistake. When the king of Babylon sent messengers to congratulate Hezekiah on his recovery from a near-death illness, Hezekiah treated them like honored guests. He welcomed them into his house and showed them all the treasures which had been accumulated over the centuries by the kings of Judah. Hearing of this, the prophet Isaiah came to Hezekiah with a searching question: “what have they seen in thine house…?” 2 Kings 20:15. Hezekiah was warned that the day would come when the Babylonians’ lust for the treasures they had seen would bring them back. The nation would be overthrown, and all the king’s treasures would be carried away into Babylon. Hezekiah’s own children and grandchildren would become captives in chains. By pride fully showing off his possessions, Hezekiah had sown the seeds which would bring down his house. The question, “what have they seen in your house?” is one many fathers might ponder today. Like Hezekiah, many are allowing things to be seen which will lead to tragedy, and the treasures they are in danger of losing are spiritual ones of eternal value!
Consider…FATHERS:
- What have other people seen in your house? Our friends and neighbors take note of what goes into our homes. It is vital that they see evidence of Christ’s influence there! The Bible says, “Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that they may on account of your good deeds, as they observe them glorify God” 1 Peter 2:12. Christian principles must be given priority in the home.
- What have your children seen in your house? Even the smallest children have big eyes. They see much and forget little. The things they witness in the home may mark them for all eternity. What do they see? Sexual immorality, Abuse and violence, Pornography, Alcohol and drugs, all too soon our children leave home to make their way in the world. They will either be equipped for life or victimized.
- What does God see in your house? All of life is lived every day in the presence of God (Hebrews 4:12). We may hide what goes on in our house from the eyes of our neighbors and, to some extent, even from our children. But we cannot hide from God! And some day we will be judged in righteousness on the basis of what God has seen in our homes Hebrews 12:14.
God, others, your children…“What have they seen in your house?” The answer will matter for all eternity.