GOAT. Most sports fans recognize this as an acronym for the “greatest of all time.” Is Tom Brady the greatest quarterback of all time, or is someone else? Is Michael Jordan the greatest basketball player or someone else? The debate can be never-ending.
Who is the greatest king of all time? Is it Alexander the Great, Peter the Great or some other great? It all depends on your criteria. Most territory conquered, longest reign, wealthiest, greatest impact, or some other factor will influence your decision.
Who is the greatest Jewish king of all time? King David was a man after the heart of God; he conquered Jerusalem, stabilized Israel, and wrote beautiful inspired poetry. King Solomon was perhaps the wisest and wealthiest king who ever lived. Which one was the greatest?
King Hezekiah on his sickbed 17th c watercolor
Before we decide, we must yield to the voice of the Holy Spirit. For He has said that the greatest Jewish king was the good king Hezekiah. For “he trusted in the Lord, the God of Israel, so that there was none like him among all the kings of Judah after him, nor among those who were before him. For he held fast to the Lord. He did not depart from following Him. . . . And the Lord was with him; wherever he went out, he prospered.” (2 Kings 18:5-7)
What a godly king! Hezekiah smashed the sacred stones, cut down the high places, destroyed the Asherah poles, and broke in pieces the bronze snake that Moses had crafted, before which the people were burning incense. In other words, the king cleaned house, ridding the country of idolatrous worship.
On the military front, Hezekiah threw off the yoke of Assyria and defeated the Philistines as far as Gaza. When Sennacherib then attacked Judah with a large army and intimidating words, defying the Lord, Hezekiah turned to God in prayer. That night the angel of the Lord struck down 185,000 of the enemy in a total victory.
On the personal side, when Hezekiah became sick and was told by the Lord’s prophet that his earthly days were ended, the king prayed fervently with tears and was granted another fifteen years of life and service to the Lord. A great king indeed!
But there is another King even greater, the greatest of all eternity—our Lord Jesus Christ. He alone is the King of kings.
He created the universe and redeemed mankind from its sin and rebellion. He whacked Satan on the nose, defanging his power, and is even now building His greater kingdom—the Church of all believers in Him. On earth He appeared as poor, but now reigns over all. His power is absolute, His wisdom complete, His love for sinners incomprehensible. He alone is the only King Who sacrificed Himself on a cursed cross to save His subjects. He alone is the only King Who rose from the dead, ensuring our justification. He is the GOAE—the greatest of all eternity.
Do we strive to be the greatest, or at least great in His kingdom? Hezekiah shows us how. Renounce sin and tear from your heart the sacred stones of pride and the Asterah poles of self-righteousness. Trust completely and follow faithfully the true God and His Word. When enemies and troubles arise, pray fervently, even with tears, confident that the Lord will deliver and prosper you.
Know also that in God’s kingdom of royal priests, paradoxes do exist. If you would be great, know that strength comes through weakness (2 Corinthians 12:10), exaltation through humility (James 4:10), riches through poverty (2 Corinthians 6:8-10). If you would be great, you must be a servant, for the GOAE Himself came not to be served but to serve (Matthew 20:28). To gain life one must lose it in Christ (Mark 8:35)! God grant we all be great in this kingdom of grace and salvation.
is a retired pastor. He lives in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.