Finding courage in conflict: lessons from 2 Kings 18

Ryan Brown Aug. 4, 2024

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We all respond to conflict in different ways. Ideally, we lean into conflict with the express intent of seeing it resolved. Unfortunately, most of us fall short of the ideal.

At one end of the spectrum, some people seem to thrive on conflict. In fact, in the absence of conflict, these individuals often seem intent on creating their own.

At the other end of the spectrum, there are those that seek to avoid conflict at any cost. Second Kings 18 paints a picture in which Hezekiah falls into the trappings of that second group.

To set the context, it's important to recognize Scripture states that Hezekiah "did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, just as his father David had done."

In fact, Hezekiah went even further than most of the other kings before him who were also considered righteous. Most of them failed to tear down the high places where other gods were worshiped, but Hezekiah tore them all down.

In the chapters that follow, we see God's presence in some dramatic ways. Hezekiah is healed of a fatal illness. He sees shadows miraculously moving backwards in ways they should not be. God was present and working in the story of this righteous man.

Despite these things, the prophet Isaiah delivers the devastating news to Hezekiah that after his death, Babylon will conquer the kingdom and Hezekiah's own flesh and blood will be taken as prisoners.

Hezekiah's response to the words of Isaiah

"The word of the Lord you have spoken is good," Hezekiah replied. For he thought, "Will there not be peace and security in my lifetime?"

Can you imagine a more selfish response?

He is told his own flesh and blood will be taken as prisoners to a foreign land, but Hezekiah doesn't intercede on their behalf. He is only concerned about his own peace and comfort.

This Scripture illustrates to us that even the most righteous among us (even those who have been more righteous than those who have gone before) are not immune from selfishness and falling short of Godly responses. As leaders, this Scripture reminds us of how easy it is for us to get it wrong.

For example, when dealing with conflict, many of us respond in ways that either seek to placate, delegate, or ignore. We placate by telling ourselves or others that the source of conflict isn't that big of a deal. We delegate the conflict by asking others to address the issues when we aren't willing to do it ourselves. Other times, we simply ignore the conflict as if it didn't even exist or will work itself out.

It is as if by avoiding conflict we think, in similar ways to Hezekiah, that there will be "peace and security in my lifetime." Unfortunately, we're seeking this hoped-for peace without thought or consideration of how the avoidance of conflict will impact others around us or those who come after us.

In contrast, I can't help but think of the story of a brother in Christ who lives in an area of the world where Christians are persecuted because of their faith in Jesus. He serves as a leader in a secret church. He lives in a country where according to the law he should be free to worship as he sees fit; however, his country is included in Open Doors' World Watch List because, in practicality, the local authorities will arrest and torture those that follow Jesus.

After arresting this brother and severely threatening him, these local authorities offered him "peace and security" if he would only provide the names of others that were also followers of Jesus in his small congregation. At great cost and sacrifice to himself, this gentleman upheld and protected the good of others by choosing not to provide those names.

I can't help but be inspired by his courage. As we deal with conflict in the workplace, we should be praying for just a fraction of the type of courage that seeks the good of others over ourselves.

Unfortunately, like Hezekiah, we will fall short. Our shortcomings are a reminder of our ever-present need to fall upon the grace, mercy and wisdom of Jesus. It's only as we lean into the lordship of Christ in our lives that we begin to have discernment to see where our responses might fall short. It's also by leaning into the lordship of Christ that we are able to lean into conflict in ways that seek the good of those we're called to serve.

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Ryan Brown serves Open Doors US as Chief Executive Officer. Learn More »

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