Which Legacy Would You Prefer to Leave? 2 Examples

Have you ever wanted to leave a legacy to your children, community, or society? If so, do you think that is what they will actually remember you for?

Maybe you’ve never thought about this before. My husband and I have. We’ve wanted to leave a legacy of faith, good work ethic, personal responsibility, and self-sufficiency to our children.

We’ve done our best to teach and be an example of all of these, but no matter what, there are no guarantees. 

One thing is for sure – it won’t happen without trying. 

During our years of pastoring, I observed people’s memories about lost loved ones. It wasn’t exactly what I thought they’d remember.

Naturally, what people remembered about their loved one depended upon 

• how long they knew them
• how close they were
• what time period of their life they shared.
• how often their stories were retold
• age of the one still living at time of loss

If you passed away today, what do you think family and friends would remember about you? Would it be your 

• childhood antics
• rebellious teen years
• nice family you raised
• occupational awards and achievements
• wisdom and character
• church involvement
• community contributions
• dynamic personality
• large contributions to society?

Two Thought-Provoking Examples of Legacy

There is a father and son king in the Bible who left quite contrasting legacies to one another. Other kings could fit the bill, but these two grabbed my attention because they both lived a long life one way before surprising events altered their course, affecting their entire country.

Whether you’ve read about the father and not the son, vice versa, neither one, or part of each at different settings, I pray God gives you fresh eyes as you read about these kings today.

Glean something about the legacy you want to leave. Think about your life and what others might remember.

To me, only one king’s ending was satisfying. A good story usually has a twist and a good ending. Read and see what you think. These kings’ stories forced me to rethink my own life.

King Hezekiah

He did what was pleasing in the Lord’s sight, like his ancestor David did. He:

• removed the pagan shrines
• smashed the sacred pillars
• cut down the Asherah poles

He even broke up the bronze serpent that Moses had made, because the Israelites had been offering sacrifices to it.

Hezekiah trusted in the Lord. There was no one like him among all the kings of Judah, either before or after him. He faithfully obeyed all the commands the Lord had given Moses.

The Lord was with him, making Hezekiah successful, like when he revolted against the king of Assyria and conquered the Philistines as far as Gaza. (2 Kings 18:3-8 NLT)

What a resume!

Sick around the same time, Hezekiah was told he’d die. He prayed and God answered. Healed, he was even given a miraculous sign, and fifteen years was added to his life. 

Prideful or grateful?

In 2 Kings 20:17-19 (NLT), we learn the Babylonian king sent his envoys to bring gifts since he was sick and to learn about the miraculous signs they had heard of. Might have been the sundial’s shadow going back ten steps or Hezekiah building the first aqueduct system ever.

While there, Hezekiah’s pride rose. He showed them all of his riches – silver, gold, spices, and aromatic oils, kept in his treasure houses, his palace, and royal treasuries. There was nothing in his palace or kingdom that Hezekiah did not show them. 

Immediately, Isaiah the prophet went to King Hezekiah and confronted him. Hezekiah confessed, “The Babylonians saw everything.” 

Isaiah then prophesied, “The time is coming when everything in your palace—all the treasures stored up by your ancestors until now—will be carried off to Babylon. Nothing will be left, says the Lord. Some of your very own sons will be taken away into exile. They will become eunuchs who will serve in the palace of Babylon’s king.”

Ouch!

Then Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “This message you have given me from the Lord is good.” For the king was thinking, “At least there will be peace and security during my lifetime.”

He said what?!?!? Really?

• He didn’t care about losing Judah’s treasuries God had given them?
• He didn’t care about his sons being held captive or becoming eunuchs?
• He only cared about having peace and security in his own lifetime?

I wonder what life would’ve been like for him and his descendants

If he hadn’t been healed. Probably because people pray for my healing all the time, I wonder What I’d do if it manifested on earth?

I pray I’d be appreciative and glorify God. If vanity or pride struck, I pray I’d repent and feel compassion on those my poor actions impacted.

Hezekiah – “Greatest king of Judah” ever! Will you remember his great accomplishments, faithfulness, and success, or will his pride and selfishness leave a bitter taste – or both?

King Manasseh

Manasseh’s reign in Jerusalem is found in 2 Chronicles 33.

Manasseh led Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem astray. They did more evil than the pagan nations God helped them destroy and drive out.

Manasseh:

• rebuilt the high places his father Hezekiah tore down
• erected altars to Baal
• made Asheroth poles
• worshiped and served all the host of heaven
• he worshipped everything except the one, true God.

Not only that, but he did these detestable acts:

• Built altars in the House of the Lord and their outer courts
• made a carved image of an idol to set in God’s House
• burned his sons as an offering (yes, plural)
• used fortune-telling, omens and sorcery
• dealt with mediums and divination

Unbelievable!

God’s anger was over the top, and rightfully so. He spoke to Manasseh and to his people but was ignored. Therefore, the Lord sent an army who captured Manasseh with hooks in his nose, bound him in bronze chains, and drug him off to Babylon.

Absolutely humiliating!

When finally in distress, he entreated the favor of the Lord his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers. He prayed to him.

God heard his plea, was moved, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord was God.

Manasseh’s reaction?

• He rebuilt several outer walls to a greater height in several places
• He put commanders of the army in every fortified city in Judah
• he took away the foreign gods and the idol from the temple, the altars he had built on the same mountain, and threw them outside the city.
• He restored the altar of the Lord and sacrificed peace offerings on it, and thanksgiving ones
• He commanded Judah to serve the Lord, the God of Israel. 

His redemptive story sure gives hope to everyone, but what about a legacy?

I report – God and you decide together.

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