King Hezekiah of Judah sent his ambassadors to Egypt with the intention of forming an alliance to defeat the powerful Assyrians. Although Hezekiah feared the Lord and had experienced much grace from God, he ignored the Lord’s guidance and turned first to Pharaoh when he saw the strength of the Assyrians.
The actions of King Hezekiah represent the tendency of humans to rely on the physical things of this world rather than on God. With the advancement of science and technology, we easily begin "trusting in the shadow of Egypt." We rely on our own wisdom and walk by sight instead of by faith. For example, when we are ill, we often choose to place all our faith in modern medicine, seeking the best doctors, rather than placing our trust in God. We need to learn to have faith that the one and only true God will do what is best for us. We need to remember that the physical things of this world are only temporary; only God is immortal, omniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresent.
It is important that we do not ignore the guidance of God and do things according to our own wisdom, like King Hezekiah, even when God’s guidance is not what we wish to hear. Let us learn the instruction of Proverbs 3:5-8:
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.
Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear the Lord and depart from evil.
It will be health to your flesh,
And strength to your bones.
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