Start each day by reading the passages listed above. Then use the summary and reflection provided here to guide discussion around the daily reading.
Hezekiah was the twelfth king of Judah. He reoriented the people back to true worship by cleansing the temple, reinstating the Passover, and re-establishing the priesthood. God answered his prayer to deliver Jerusalem from the hands of their enemy, Assyria.
Reflect on Hezekiah’s interactions with God. What stands out to you?
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62 thoughts on "Hezekiah, Reformer and Restorer"
6 For he held fast to the Lord. He did not depart from following him, but kept the commandments that the Lord commanded Moses. – 2 Kings 18:6. This is what stands out to me. He was successful because he trusted God to lead him and he held fast to him. He didn’t trust his own wisdom over God’s like his father had done.
So important to give God our first fruits!
Cathy, I think Ephraim and Manasseh were singled out because they were the leading tribes, according to my bible commentary.
Cathy, I think he singled out Ephraim and Manasseh because they were the leading tribes, according to my bible commentary.
He did it with all his heart.
I love reading about Hezekiah, it gets almost depressing to read one bad king after another. It is so beautiful to see his example and very encouraging. No matter who your pare ts are, anyone can change and be different. Follow God no matter what!
Strange how comments are on Thursday’s reading and only 3 show up on today’s.
Amen! My thoughts exactly! Hezekiah certainly gives us hope for new generations!
Ladies – if you see this, please pray!! There is someone I know that has an empty basement apartment. I got in touch with her mom yesterday to ask if she thought her daughter might rent it to my sister, Arian. Her daughter’s reply was – she & her husband are not planning to rent the apartment, but my sister can stay for 2 weeks rent free while she continues to look. This would be the perfect solution! They are believers and said they want to be blessing to my sister, that’s why she can stay 2 weeks. PLEASE, PLEASE PRAY – that Laurel and her husband will be moved by the Holy Spirit, have a change of heart and let my sister rent from her.
I want to have the courage that Hezekiah had to be firm in my faith, even if the people around me (or before me) didn’t have that mindset/lifestyle.
Amen
Is this not yesterday’s reading passages?
VICTORIA E – Praying with you for wisdom, discernment, patience, and favor. So good to see you!!! ❤
Thanks
It amazes me that Hezekiah clung to God and his law when his example of kings (especially his dad) have done the opposite.
Praying our nation will have faithful leaders like Hezekiah.
“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people — for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.”
1 Timothy 2:1-2
If you are looking for Friday’s reading, it is not posted yet, but it is on He Reads Truth.
Thanks so much for this tip, Carol Rimmer – Day 26 is still not up at the She reads truth site yet (4:50 am) but it was very helpful to know I could get it on the He site!!
It is not amazing how merciful God is to us once we humble ourselves and know that He is God alone. Would that the US of American would humble ourselves, repent of our evil ways and seek His face!!
Thanks again.
Also, can’t see today’s reading here, but they’ve got one on HeReadsTruth.
@TERRI BALDWIN
I like what you pointed out.
He was a good king, but not perfect… he was flawed.
Only Jesus fits the bill of ‘perfect king’.
Hi ERB! So lovely to see you! Ladies I’ve been reading along and following the comments but not posting too much but today I need to please ask for prayer – I am feeling very overwhelmed and stressed out about work, I need wisdoms and guidance to complete my assignments, lead my team, and ask for the title and pay raise commensurate with these new responsibilities. Thank you
He trusted in the Lord, he held fast to The Lord, and The Lord was with him! Hezekiah did what was good and right and faithful before The Lord his God.
Always seeking God with his whole heart and he prospered.
What a model of how to live the Christian life well!
Hezekiah doing what was right in the Lord’s sight was the best relationship to be had. What a way to be remembered as the 12th King of Judah after so many Kings who did evil. Restoring the people back to our God and destroying the places and items that would prompt evil actions.
It was refreshing to read about Hezekiah, after so many days of pretty awful Kings
Did Hezekiah have a tendency towards pride? After God healed him and promised to extend his life by 15 years:
2 Chronicles 32:25-31But Hezekiah did not respond appropriately to the kindness shown him, and he became proud. So the Lord’s anger came against him and against Judah and Jerusalem. Then Hezekiah humbled himself and repented of his pride, as did the people of Jerusalem. So the Lord’s anger did not fall on them during Hezekiah’s lifetime.
He then succeeded in everything he did and became very wealthy. We’re told that God then took a step back to show Hezekiah what was in his heart.
And what was in Hezekiah’s heart appears to be a certain amount of pride in his achievements. Hezekiah showed a visiting Babylonian delegation everything—Judah’s wealth and its military capacity. Indeed, ‘There was nothing in his palace or kingdom that Hezekiah did not show them.’
In effect, Hezekiah had just shown the next superpower what they were up against should they ever decide to wage war against Jerusalem. This act led to the fall of Jerusalem to the Babylonians only a generation later.
When warned of this by Isaiah, Hezekiah’s response wasn’t to repent and plead forgiveness. Instead:
2 Kings 20:9 Then Hezekiah said to Isaiah, ‘This message you have given me from the Lord is good.’ For the king was thinking, ‘At least there will be peace and security during my lifetime.’
 oops. I think I hit enter.
I continued to read about Hezekiah and found it interesting that later on he became quite proud and didn’t seem to be concerned about what would happen after he was gone. It affected Israel for many generations after he died. This is a good reminder for me too. Praise and thank the Lord and good and bad, and to look to him for guidance not just in bad times but in good times also. The decisions that I make certainly can affect others and even other generations.
ERB welcome back!
his dramatic scene from the Old Testament (Numbers 21, 5-9) depicts the moment when Moses saves his people from the snakes sent by God as punishment for their lack of faith. The bronze serpent on a rod, whose mere contemplation is sufficient to cure anyone bitten by a snake, symbolizes salvation.
I think this is showing us that when we obey and honor God, we will be prosperous and blessed. We can be a “leader” in our own world of influence, and bring about God’s blessings on our “community” if we believe in Him and call others to obey Him, too. We can go against the norm and do what’s right and it will make a difference in those around us.
I hit enter by mistake! I like to imagine that there was someone in Hezehiah’s life who taught him about the one true God and told him about Passover, the temple and the roles of the Levites and priests. Perhaps it was his mother. We have an awesome duty and opportunity to teach our children and younger generations about God, about what He has done for us through the sacrifice of His Son, and to tell the story of the Gospel. Without us modeling Christianity in our homes and communities, we are only one generation away from the Gospel no longer being taught, and people worshiping God. I’m glad Godly people in my life told me about Jesus as I was growing up, and that I was able to tell my own daughter, and now my grandchildren about how much God loves us.
Hezekiah reinstated the Israelites worship of God. He cleansed the temple, got rid of the idol of the golden snake, and did away with all the symbols of pagan worship. He also brought the Levite’s and priests back to relationship with God, and they began performing their ordained duties. Hezekiah did not have the benefits of a father before him to teach him the ways of the Lord. I wonder how Hezekiah knew to reinstate Passover and all the rest of the traditions of worshiping the one true God. I’m imagining that among all the pagan worship, there was someone who remembered how things were supposed
CINDY HANNA, MARI V – This quote is from got questions: “In the time between Moses and Hezekiah, the Israelites began worshiping the “fiery serpent” Moses made out of bronze. It is only mentioned in connection with Hezekiah’s reforms, but the Nehushtan worship could have been taking place long before Hezekiah. While it is understandable how an item that brought miraculous healing could become an object of worship, it was still blatant disobedience to God’s commands (Exodus 20:4–5). The bronze serpent was God’s method of deliverance during the incident recorded in Number 21. There is no indication that God intended it to ever be used again.” That’s a perfect example of how humans can take something God meant for good/favor and use it for something not approved by God.
ERB – ❤
SEARCHING – Thanks so much for reminding me of that song! It was in our hymn book back in the80’s and I played it often. I need to dust it off and add it to my practice pieces!
CEE GEE and KRISTEN it wonderful to “see” you ladies too!! It’s wonderful to “see” ALL of you ladies!!! May we all keep pressing into Him!!! Xoxo
CINDY HANNA and MARI V …I think the bronze snake they are referring to is the one in Numbers 21:4-9. (I put the scripture below) They kept it as a reminder to look to God, trust Him and remain faithful. I believe they named the bronze snake in Numbers as well…but I’m not sure..hope the scripture in Numbers helps!!
The Bronze Snake:
4 “They traveled from Mount Hor along the route to the Red Sea, to go around Edom. But the people grew impatient on the way; 5 they spoke against God and against Moses, and said, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? There is no bread! There is no water! And we detest this miserable food!”
6 Then the Lord sent venomous snakes among them; they bit the people and many Israelites died. 7 The people came to Moses and said, “We sinned when we spoke against the Lord and against you. Pray that the Lord will take the snakes away from us.” So Moses prayed for the people.
8 The Lord said to Moses, “Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live.” 9 So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, they lived.”
Praise the Lord! I can be restored. If I have wandered, the Lord welcomes me back and reminds me what is true,beautiful and worthy. I can only imagine crushing all the false god poles and shrines while praising the Lord. It is my daydream that woman were playing their tambourines like they did when the sea parted and there were hugs and healing tears as they celebrated the Passover.
@ Mari V. Reading about the bronze snake surprised me too. Why would they have not only kept it but names it? Possibly another reminder to the nation of the wilderness experience. I’ll have to look into it I’m wondering if (since they gave it a name) they were worshipping it too.
I guess I wasn’t aware (after reading 2 Kings 18), that they still had the bronze snake Moses had made because it talks about King Hezekiah breaking it into pieces. Anybody can expand more? Happy Thursday, sweet SRT sisters! Thankfully, I slept really really well last night. Lots of changes coming up (work pace) please pray for strength and endurance and acceptance. It is what it is.
Rhonda Lynn Austin is a fictional writer.
Enjoying this study so much. Have a blessed day to my “she’s”
What stood out to me is that Hezekiah ‘had it in his heart’ to do right by God; he was faithful. Hezekiah didn’t have a ‘heart fling’ with God; he followed through.
I was struck by the fact that the king sent out the notice for all the people to gather. Can you imagine how they must have felt after being the minority for so long and finally able to openly worship God?
I am so glad we got to read about a ‘good king’ today!
ERB – It is so good to see your comment! I have missed your contribution. I haven’t read through, but scrolled through quickly and saw you there. ❤
I know I just posted about praying for our nation. As I was praying I thought of disturbing things I heard and saw. Some of the very popular performers are said to be doing satanic things in their shows. They showed a video of Taylor Swift dressing as a witch and having witches around here or dressing like witches around her. I think it said summoning satan. (I didn’t watch the whole thing.) Others say, Beyoncé, is a devil worshipper too. I heard there are schools starting satan clubs and that satanism may become America’s religion. God forbid! This may seem far fetched, but it is worth noting and praying about. People don’t know that they need Jesus. They may be blinded by the enemy and things they see. Let’s pray for them! Eternity is forever!
Seek God! Tear down idols! Walk in His ways. He is Sovereign over everything! His plan won’t be thwarted no matter what! So many insights from all of you! @Rhonda Amen! Let this happen even today! ERB, thank you for all you pointed out. Amen! Deanna and Lilly- thank you both. Only God can fill that hole and don’t make even good things idols. For those that pointed out that we can influence those around us, even if you are the only one, stand firm. God can use the way you live and speak to get the attention of others. Prayers for this nation, and all, to repent and seek God This can only happen by God’s mercy and power!
Hezekiah was obedient to the Lord and did not stray from reinstating the Lord’s will in Judah. He relied on the Lord and stayed close the Lord and was therefore able to remain obedient (not by his own strength). This shows how the Lord values an obedient heart that relies on Him.
May I have an obedient heart like Hezekiah and may I keep my eyes fixed on the Lord every day of my life.
In Lynn Austin’s book, it says the Hezekiah saw his father sacrifice his brother (which should have been him) to the fire altar of Baal, which would have been horrifying. (I’m assuming that was researched?). Anyway, I just thought that was interesting. AND having a grandfather that was a prophet or priest) which might have made his mother more a follower of Christ. So my take from that, being a grandparent, it really, really matters how we feed into them, especially when they have non-believing parents such as ours! We all can be used to influence those around us to lead to Christ. Let’s use our time wisely!
Hezekiah trusted in the Lord, he did not cease to follow Him, he was successful in whatever he undertook. (2 Kings 18:5-7) It reminds me of Joshua 1:8 – Don’t let God’s word depart from your mouth, meditate on it day and night, do what is written – then you will be prosperous and successful. Once again, God preserved a remnant for His honor and glory!
The “take away” for me is trust and obey God and you will be happy and blessed. Sometimes though the blessings don’t come immediately, and maybe not even in this world. But God is faithful and true, no matter how long we have to wait God always keeps His word. Be patient, don’t give up, keep loving and serving Him. Be strong and courageous and do not be discouraged.
A blessed Thursday to you all!
2 Chronicles 31:1 When all this was completed, all Israel who had attended went out to the cities of Judah and broke up the sacred pillars, chopped down the Asherah poles, and tore down the high places and altars throughout Judah and Benjamin, as well as in Ephraim and Manasseh, to the last one. Then all the Israelites returned to their cities, each to his own possession.
**this to me, shows power in unity, especially unity in God!! May we all choose to be united in Him!! Amen.
2 Chronicles 31:20-21 Hezekiah did this throughout all Judah. He did what was good and upright and true before the Lord his God. 21 He was diligent in every deed that he began in the service of God’s temple, in the instruction and the commands, in order to seek his God, and he prospered.
**Diligent, good, upright and true!! Powerful words!! May they become living in each of us!! Amen!!
2 Chronicles 30:6-7 So the couriers went throughout Israel and Judah with letters from the hand of the king and his officials, and according to the king’s command, saying, “Israelites, return to the Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel so that He may return to those of you who remain, who have escaped the grasp of the kings of Assyria. 7 Don’t be like your ancestors and your brothers who were unfaithful to the Lord, the God of their ancestorsn so that He made them an object of horror as you yourselves see.
**return to God so He can return to us!! This is such a powerful statement!! It reminds me of Exodus 3:5 “Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.” God is HOLY, may we honor, glorify and respect His holiness!! Let us turn, keeping our eyes and hearts fixed on Him!! No distractions!! Thank You God for this reminder and for helping us walk in this way..Your Way!! Amen.
2 Chronicles 29:5 He said to them, “Hear me, Levites. Consecrate yourselves now and consecrate the temple of the Lord, the God of your ancestors. Remove everything impure from the holy place.
**Consecrate. It means to purify, be set apart and make holy. May we consecrate ourselves to God every day, letting Him remove every impure thing that is a part of us!! Our bodies are His temple. Let us remember that and let Him dwell within us, forsaking everything else except Him. Amen.
2 Chronicles 29:11 My sons, don’t be negligent now, for the Lord has chosen you to stand in His presence, to serve Him, and to be His ministers and burners of incense.
**Don’t be negligent!!! This hits me like a ton of bricks!! When we chose anything other than God we are being negligent. We are a called and chosen people!! Called to stand in His presence, to fellowship in union with Him and with each other. We are chosen to walk with God to serve, minister, worship and reflect Him in all that we do, think and say!!! We are His hands and feet. His vessels. Let us stay in tune with and obey Him!! Let us give up everything we have to honor and glorify Him. Amen.
2 Kings 18:3-7 He did what was right in the Lord’s sight just as his ancestor David had done. 4 He removed the high places, shattered the sacred pillars, and cut down the Asherah poles. He broke into pieces the bronze snake that Moses made, for until then the Israelites were burning incense to it. It was called Nehushtan.
5 Hezekiah relied on the Lord God of Israel; not one of the kings of Judah was like him, either before him or after him. 6 He remained faithful to the Lord and did not turn from following Him but kept the commands the Lord had commanded Moses.
7 The Lord was with him, and wherever he went he prospered. He rebelled against the king of Assyria and did not serve him.
**reliance on God. Is what stands out to me here!! When we rely on God everything else adjusts and aligns itself to His vision and Way. May we rely and align ourselves to God in everything we do!! May we be faithful and true no matter how difficult or impossible the circumstances may seem!! Let us let God part the waters and make the way!! Amen.
Hezekiah sought the Lord from day 1. What a contrast between his father Ahaz and himself. 2 Chronicles 31:21 NKJV “And in every work he began in the service of the house of God, in law and in the commandment, to seek his God, he did it with all his heart. So he prospered.”
Makes me think of “You shall love the Lord with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.” (The Shema) In Deuteronomy 6:4 which should have been ingrained in their hearts if they were brought up in the way of the Lord.
A whole heart devoted to God is what brings success. Good reminder to me this morning. Thankful for our God who does not “turn His face from us if we return to Him.” (2 Chronicles 30:9 NKJV)
Thank you, Jesus. May we stay near to Him today!
The first
Hezekiah saw how his father led, and knew he didn’t want to be “that guy.” His faith and follow through led to a restoration of belief and faith of the people, and their hearts turned back to the one true Almighty God. It is noted that the altars and high places in Judah were torn down “until they had utterly destroyed them all” – which is in contrast to the partial tear downs that happened under the leadership of others (such as Azariah).
Regarding Hezekiah reaching out separately to Ephraim and Manasseh – it is my understanding that they had settled on the opposite side of the Jordan from the rest of the tribes.
RS – yes, how desperately revival is needed today and how amazing it will be when it happens.
KELLY (NEO) – thank you for pointing out Hezekiah’s recognition that all were God’s covenant people. Reminded me of the song from many years ago People Need The Lord.
Hallelujah, a faithful King in our readings! It is easy to make this relatable in our own time as we see presidents try to lead the nation on their own, away from God, changing laws that rebel against truth, leading generations astray. Dear Heavenly Father, bring this nation back to you, let us humble ourselves to know that we our your creation, that we must serve you and live by your standards. Help us Lord, give us a heart as a country to stand up for you above all things, in Jesus name, Amen.
I recommend that if you are a reader, the series by Lynn Austin “The Chronicles of the Kings!” They are a great series of the time of King Hezekiah, starting out as a boy with his father Ahaz as the King.
So refreshing to read about this revival. We must pray for ours, all is possible through Jesus
Amen
Right? We can take good and wonderful blessings and turn them in to idols. Thank you for your perspective!
I think of when you see a desperate child clinging to a parent and how that would have been Hezekiah’s heart. Desperate for the Lord and His ways. I love that he invited everyone back to the Lord and to celebrate Passover. What an example!
I keep seeing shades of the modern day… worship of idols, people desperate for something in which to place their faith, men – even those with hearts that are decent – unable to fill that ‘God-shaped hole’ that C.S. Lewis spoke of.
Every word, every thread, points to Jesus. So grateful.
Based on the readings these past few weeks, it seems he was a most remarkable king— probably the best of David’s descendants until that moment. Having seen the evil his dad did, he learned and turned to God with all his heart and a passion unlike anyone else since David. But his story has whiplash effect for me— sired by an evil man, this righteous king then procreates and gives his people one of the most evil kings in Israel. It makes me wish we had insight in the upbringing of these kings. What are the dynamics behind closed doors? Anyhow, while not in our readings today, it is sad that then in the end, a fatal mistake— Hezekiah’s sinful pride, proved to be a decision that caused doom for his people. If you are interested in more details to give context, Crosswalk.com has an article— What You Need to Know about Hezekiah in the Bible— that gives more details about him.
Although Hezekiah was the son of Ahaz and would have grown up with him as an example of being a ruler, he walked in faithfulness to God and the Bible says there was no one else like him before or after. It makes me think that his mother, who was a daughter of the priest Zechariah must have had a strong faith herself and imparted those values into her son. What a powerful example this is of how one faithful parent can change a family’s trajectory!
It’s so wonderful to be reminded that REVIVAL is always possible, even when the world is so fallen away from the Lord. ‘Send revival, do it again.’
So the people had started to worship the bronze snake that Moses had made back in Egypt. They were so desperate for something tangible to hitch
I love today’s readings! Hezekiah restores the relationship between God and his people. In restoring the temple and destroying the places of idol worship, he puts God back on His throne. In appointing the priests and Levite’s to their respective duties and in celebrating the Passover, he leads in honoring and worshipping God. I am glad Kelly points out that he reached out to the Northern kingdom. Hezekiah’s story gives hope that a people who have strayed from God can return. I have a couple of questions: why doe the writer distinguish between Priests and Levite’s? And why does he single out Ephraim and Manasseh in 2 Ch. 1. Were they not included in all Israel and Judah?
It is never too far gone to turn back to God. And as the word travelled, people freely gave and turned back also. Dicipleship! Mercy! GRACE!
Hezekiah sought after God and obeyed. He led and refocused the Israelites back to God. As a result 2 Chronicles 31:21 says he was diligent and he prospered.
What I love about Hezekiah is that he was not content to have just Judah return to serving God, but teached out to those who were in the Northern Kingdom too. He understood that they were still God’s covenant people. Those that came from Israel returned to their homes and tore down the places of idol worship. I believe this is the only time that a large number of people in the Northern Kingdom turned from idols.