By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo
Isaiah 39:6-8 “The time will surely come when everything in your palace, and all that your predecessors have stored up until this day, will be carried off to Babylon. Nothing will be left, says the Lord. And some of your descendants, your own flesh and blood who will be born to you, will be taken away, and they will become eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.” “The word of the Lord you have spoken is good,” Hezekiah replied. For he thought, “There will be peace and security in my lifetime.”_ – NIV King Hezekiah had been sick. Upon his recovery, the king of Babylon sent envoys to go and see him. King Hezekiah excitedly showed around his palace and all the treasures. Prophet Isaiah found out what they saw, and the word of the Lord came through that all those treasures they saw would one day be carried off to Babylon. And the people would be taken captive, including Hezekiah’s own people. Since it would come much later, king Hezekiah said the word of the Lord about such disaster was good. It is ironic that he said it was a good word and yet it was about disaster coming. Reason? Because it would not happen in his time! Such is the short sightedness and selfishness of many leaders. They make decisions and policies that they are fully aware will be disastrous to their people. They are bribed to pass bad laws, mortgage the future of their people and console themselves that by the time their decisions bite, they would either be gone or safe somewhere!Strategic well meaning leaders secure the future. Hezekiah would have pleaded for mercy, asked God to spare His people and their land from such disaster. But since he was assured he would not be there to experience it, it didn’t bother him! Most of the problems we experience today across all leadership levels in the family, society, church, national and international levels is because of the selfish legacy of leaders. They only think about themselves and the present – steal, manipulate, divide, amass wealth – not caring about the people they lead. May God help us be foresighted leaders who lay good foundations and create a future softer landing for those who come after we are long gone! Jesus did so. Moses did so._John 17:11-12 “I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one. While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled.”_Shalom children of God.