Song of Redemption Read Online Free PDF

earned my deepest respect. But you’ve also made many enemies, and you’ll need to be a man of conviction and courage in the days ahead. I want you to know that my prayers are with you.”
    “Thank you, Rabbi. I’m very grateful for your prayers—but I’d like to ask something more of you. I’d like you to return to your rightful place among the nobility and help me govern our nation. You’re one of the few men I can trust, and I need your wisdom and advice.”
    Hezekiah didn’t get the immediate response he had expected. Instead, Isaiah stared thoughtfully at him for what seemed like several minutes. The prophet’s long silence puzzled Hezekiah. Any ordinary man would have leaped at the opportunity for power and position. But he was beginning to see that Isaiah was no ordinary man.
    “I need to appoint someone to replace Uriah as palace administrator,” Hezekiah said, breaking the uncomfortable silence. “My grandfather suggested that I ask you.”
    Again the prophet seemed lost in thought. But finally Isaiah shook his head, giving Hezekiah his answer before he spoke. “I’m sorry, Your Majesty, but I can’t accept your offer. I’m honored—more than I deserve to be—but I can’t accept it.”
    The refusal frustrated Hezekiah. For the second time today, one of the most qualified and trustworthy men in the nation had refused a position of power that was second only to his own. He couldn’t understand it.
    “May I ask why not, Rabbi?”
    Isaiah exhaled. “My reasons are rather difficult to explain. Earlier in my life I worked very hard to earn a position like the one you’ve just offered me. You might say it was my life’s ambition. Even now I have to admit that I’m tempted… .”
    “Then why not take it?”
    “Because I’ve accepted another commission, Your Majesty, and I’m not free to accept yours.”
    “I’m afraid I don’t understand. There is no other job in the nation that’s more important than palace administrator—except mine.”
    Isaiah smiled a brief, warm smile that faded in a flash. “It’s a long story… .”
    “I’d like to hear it. I’m curious to know what could tempt a man of your obvious intelligence to refuse the power I’m offering you.” Hezekiah settled back on his throne, waiting.
    Once again, Isaiah smiled briefly. “My story begins when I was a young man, a grandson of King Joash, rapidly rising in the court of my cousin King Uzziah. He was one of the greatest kings this nation had seen in years. I idolized Uzziah, and I worked hard to please him and to gain a position of power in his government. Then everything suddenly fell apart.”
    Isaiah paused, slowly shaking his head as he stared into space. “When God’s judgment fell on Uzziah, I was stunned. It was so unfair. I considered the punishment much too harsh for a man of his greatness and accomplishments, and I was angry with God for cursing him, for making him an outcast, a leper. God refused to show mercy, and when the king finally died, he left a void in my life that his son Jotham could never fill. Uzziah was a great man, an outstanding king, and his shameful death shook my life to its foundations.
    “Then, the same year that he died, I experienced an even greater shaking. I was worshiping at the Temple when the mountain of God suddenly began to quake beneath me. The earthquake was so violent that I was hurled to the ground.”
    Isaiah closed his eyes for a long moment. When he spoke again his voice was reverent, as if he was reciting words that were very sacred to him. “I saw the Lord—the Holy One of Israel. And in God’s presence, all the earthly power and glory of King Uzziah blew away like … like dust and ashes. All my life I’d worshiped a mortal king. Now I saw the Eternal One, the King of Kings.
    “He was seated on a lofty throne, high and exalted, and the train of His robe filled the entire Temple. Hovering about Him were mighty seraphim, each with six wings. With two of their