In 2 Kings Ch 18 we meet another King of Judah: Hezekiah. Here’s what is recorded about him throughout all history into eternity. You might say that this is his epitaph: He was 25 when he became king. He reigned for 29 years. He did what Yahweh regards as right…He put his trust in Yahweh. No king of Judah, before or after, was equal to him. He was devoted to Yahweh, never turning from Him, but keeping the commandments which Yahweh laid down for Moses. And so Yahweh (God) was with him, and he was successful in all that he undertook.
This text explicitely says that keeping commandments, specifically the 10 commandments, is the source of fellowship with God and the basis upon which one might build a successful life.
I remember Ray Steven’s song from the 70’s:
Itemize the things you covet
As you squander through your life
Bigger cars, bigger houses
Term insurance for your wife
Tuesday evenings with your harlot
And on Wednesdays it’s your charlatan
analyst, he’s high upon your list
You’ve got air conditioned sinuses
And dark disturbing doubts about religion
And you keep those cards and letters going out
While your secretary’s tempting you
Your morals are exempting you from guilt and shame
Heaven knows you’re not to blame
You better, take care of business Mr. Businessman
What’s your plan?
Get down to business Mr. Businessman if you can
Before it’s too late and you throw your life away
Did you see your children growing up today
And did you hear the music of their laughter
As they set about to play
Did you catch the fragrance of those roses in your garden
Did the morning sunlight warm your soul,
Brighten up your day
Do you qualify to be alive
or is the limit of your senses so as only to survive
Hey yeah…..
Spending counterfeit incentive
Wasting precious time and health
Placing value on the worthless
Disregarding priceless wealth
You can wheel and deal the best of them
And steal it from the rest of them
You know the score, their ethics are a bore
Eighty-six proof anesthetic crutches prop you to the top
Where the smiles are all synthetic
And the ulcers never stop
When they take that final inventory,
Yours will be the same sad story everywhere
No one will really care, no one more lonely than
This rich important man, let’s have your autograph
Endorse your epitaph
You better, take care of business Mr. Businessman
What’s your plan?
Get down to business Mr. Businessman if you can