King Hezekiah was a good man, but a man who made a terrible error in judgment. 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 (2 Kings 20:13). Hearing of this, the prophet Isaiah came to Hezekiah with this searching question, “What have they seen in your house?” (II 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. Judah 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 (II Kings 20:16-18; II Chronicles 33:11). By a prideful display of his possessions, Hezekiah had sown the seeds which would eventually bring down his house. The question, “What have they seen in your house?” is one we must ponder today. Like Hezekiah, we may be allowing things to be seen which will lead to eternal tragedy, and the treasures they are in danger of losing are spiritual ones of eternal value!

The friends and neighbors we invite into our homes, know what we deem valuable by what we have on display. It is vital that they see evidence of Christ’s influence. Christian principles must be given priority in our home. The Bible encourages us to have this mindset, encouraging us to “Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds, and glorify God on the day of visitation” (I Peter 2:12).

Children in our homes see much and forget little. The things they witness in our homes may mark them for life. What do they see? Do they see ungodly magazines and videos? Do they see alcohol and drug abuse? Do they see violence taking place?  Or do they see love, affection, encouragement, and holiness? We need to remember that all too soon our children will leave home to make their way in the world. They will either be equipped to successfully face life and its multitude of problems, or be victimized, vulnerable to the temptations that will assail them.  The things they see in our house will propagate into theirs.

Every day of our life is lived in the presence of God (Psalm 139:7-12). We may hide what goes on in our house from the eyes of our friends, neighbors — and to some extent, from our children. But we cannot hide them from God (Hebrews 4:12-13). Someday, we will be judged in righteousness based on what God has seen in our homes (Acts 17:31; Ecclesiastes 12:14).

Isaiah’s question wasn’t just for Hezekiah.  He continues to ask us, “What have they seen in your house?”