InstaStudy

Hezekiah's Reign: Revival, Resistance, and Recovery

A comparative study of 2 Kings 18-20 and 2 Chronicles 29-32, focusing on Hezekiah's spiritual reforms, his response to the Assyrian invasion, and his miraculous healing.

1. Spiritual Renewal and Temple Cleansing

1.1 Hezekiah's Righteous Reign

Verses: 2 Kings 18:3; 2 Chronicles 29:2
  • Hezekiah began his reign at age 25 and reigned for 29 years in Jerusalem.
  • He did what was right in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his father David had done.

1.2 Cleansing and Restoration of the Temple

Verses: 2 Chronicles 29:3; 2 Chronicles 29:4; 2 Chronicles 29:16
  • Hezekiah reopened the doors of the house of the Lord and repaired them.
  • He brought in the priests and the Levites and gathered them in the East Square.
  • The priests cleansed the temple, removing all the impurities they found.

2. Reforms and Revival

2.1 The Passover Celebration

Verses: 2 Chronicles 30:1; 2 Chronicles 30:18-20; 2 Chronicles 30:25-26
  • Hezekiah reinstituted the Passover celebration, inviting all Israel and Judah.
  • Many had not kept the Passover as prescribed, but Hezekiah prayed for their forgiveness.
  • The people rejoiced greatly, and the celebration lasted for fourteen days.

2.2 Destruction of Idols

Verses: 2 Chronicles 31:1
  • After the Passover, the people went throughout Judah and Benjamin, breaking down the sacred pillars, cutting down the Asherah poles, and demolishing the high places and altars.
  • They removed all idolatry from Judah and Benjamin, demonstrating their commitment to serving the one true God.

3. Assyrian Threat and Hezekiah's Response

3.1 Sennacherib's Invasion

Verses: 2 Kings 18:13; 2 Chronicles 32:2-5
  • Sennacherib, king of Assyria, invaded Judah and besieged fortified cities.
  • Hezekiah prepared for the siege by strengthening the city walls, building towers, and constructing another wall outside.
  • He also repaired the Millo in the City of David and made weapons and shields in abundance.

3.2 Hezekiah's Encouragement

Verses: 2 Chronicles 32:6-8
  • Hezekiah encouraged the people, reminding them that the Lord was with them and would fight for them.
  • He contrasted the strength of Assyria with the power of the Lord, instilling confidence in his people.
  • The people were strengthened by his words.

3.3 The Blasphemous Message

Verses: 2 Kings 18:19-35; 2 Chronicles 32:9-15
  • Sennacherib sent messengers to Jerusalem with a blasphemous message, mocking the Lord and trying to intimidate the people.
  • The messengers spoke loudly in Hebrew to discourage the people on the wall.
  • They claimed that no god of any nation had been able to deliver his people from the hand of the king of Assyria.

4. Prayer and Divine Intervention

4.1 Hezekiah's Prayer

Verses: 2 Kings 19:14-19; 2 Chronicles 32:20
  • Hezekiah and Isaiah the prophet prayed to heaven about this matter.
  • Hezekiah laid the letter from Sennacherib before the Lord and prayed for deliverance.
  • He acknowledged the Lord as the one true God, the God of all the kingdoms of the earth.

4.2 The Lord's Deliverance

Verses: 2 Kings 19:35-37; 2 Chronicles 32:21
  • The Lord sent an angel who destroyed the Assyrian army, killing 185,000 men in one night.
  • Sennacherib returned to his own land in disgrace.
  • He was later assassinated by his own sons.

5. Hezekiah's Sickness and Healing

5.1 Hezekiah's Illness

Verses: 2 Kings 20:1; 2 Chronicles 32:24
  • In those days Hezekiah became sick and was at the point of death.
  • Isaiah the prophet came to him and told him that he would die.
  • Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord.

5.2 The Lord's Healing

Verses: 2 Kings 20:5-7
  • The Lord heard Hezekiah's prayer and saw his tears.
  • The Lord sent Isaiah back to Hezekiah with a message that he would heal him and add fifteen years to his life.
  • Isaiah instructed them to apply a cake of figs to the boil, and Hezekiah recovered.

5.3 The Sign of the Sun

Verses: 2 Kings 20:8-11
  • Hezekiah asked for a sign to confirm that the Lord would heal him.
  • The Lord gave him the sign of the sun moving backward ten steps.
  • This miraculous sign demonstrated the Lord's power and faithfulness.