The Kings of Israel
The Kings of Israel was taught by Dr. James Modlish

Lesson Twenty
Hezekiah
(2 Chron. 29-32 and 2 Kings 18-20)

Introduction: 
Hezekiah, in spite of bad parentage (Ahaz), turns out to be one of the exceptional kings of Judah. Samaria (Israel) had fallen to Assyria, and now the enemy was knocking on the door.  How Hezekiah faced this situation is critical to observe.
 
I.  The Reformation – II Chron. 29,30,31

A. The cleansing  and sanctification of the temple – ch. 29
Hezekiah had become convinced that Judah’s long habit of neglecting the house of God was a great contributor to their difficulties.  He, therefore, commissioned the priest to do a major cleaning (vs.16). This was followed with a sin offering (vs.21-24) and then a singing and worship service (vs.27-30).  Note the sin issue was first.

The house of the Lord is not set in order in America (vs.35), so there is not a cause of rejoicing (vs.36).

B. A Passover is initiated – ch. 30
Not only had the temple been ignored, but the national time of remembrance of God’s power and redemption had long been avoided.
God had made it abundantly clear that this great event was to take place in the first month of the Jewish calendar
(Ex. 12), but in this particular case, the priests were not sufficiently sanctified.  God allowed a one month delay which is what the Passover is really all about --- GRACE! (I Cor. 5:7)

Some people had no use for this bloody house religion, so they scorned and mocked the “fundamentalist.” (vs.10)
Concentration on the Passover places grace for others in our hearts (vs.17-20).  Getting right with God is an occasion of great joy for the people (vs.25-27)

II. The Rejection of the Enemy – II Chron. 32:1-23

A. When Hezekiah knew the Assyrians were coming - he made preparations for war by diverting water (vs.3,4) so that it would not be available to the enemy.  He also repaired fortifications and re-supplied the armory with munitions (vs.5). (Eph. 6:10-18)     
B. The next step was to encourage the people - by reminding them that God is our Helper (vs. 6-8).  Heb. 13:5,6
C. The next step on the part of the enemy - is psychological warfare – Sennacherib sends his servants to convince the people of Jerusalem that they have no chance against his superior force (vs.9-19).
D. Hezekiah and Isaiah prayed - and God answered in a profound way (vs. 21; II Kings 19:35) by killing 185,000 of the enemy during the night.

III.  The Restoration of Health – II Chron. 32:24-26

A. The sickness – Isa. 38:1-3
Isaiah was sent by God to inform Hezekiah that his death was imminent, so he prayed and petitioned God for a reprieve.
B. The sign – Isa. 38:4-8
The sundial went backwards ten degrees which was the indicator for Hezekiah’s recovery.
C. The song – Isa. 38:9-20
[1]. Hezekiah’s gratitude for healing appears in his organizing a guild of copyists to preserve the Word of God. (Pro. 25:1)
[2]. These songs show up in Psalms 120-134 inclusively for a total of 15 which is the number of years that God extended Hezekiah’s life.  Five of these “songs of degrees” are given authorship, and ten are written anonymously.  The number ten, of course, is the number that the sundial went backwards.

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