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Lessons From Hezekiah. 2 Kings 18-20 2 Chronicles 29-32 Isaiah 36-39. Hezekiah’s Father - Ahaz. Very wicked (2 Chr. 28:1) Built and worshipped idols (2 Chr. 28:2-3) Truly believed idols could deliver (2 Chr. 28:23) Burnt children as sacrifice (2 Chr. 28:3)
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Lessons From Hezekiah 2 Kings 18-20 2 Chronicles 29-32 Isaiah 36-39
Hezekiah’s Father - Ahaz • Very wicked (2 Chr. 28:1) • Built and worshipped idols (2 Chr. 28:2-3) • Truly believed idols could deliver (2 Chr. 28:23) • Burnt children as sacrifice (2 Chr. 28:3) • Made alliances with other nations (2 Chr. 28:16, 21) • Closed the Temple (2 Chr. 28:24)
Hezekiah’s Reign • Began during turbulent times • 16 years of bad example and bad leadership • Israel at war with Syria (2 Kgs. 18:9) • Idolatry rampant • Result: • Morality extremely low (2 Chr. 28:19) • National security threatened (2 Chr. 28:20) • Turned Judah around through faith in God (2 Chr. 32:7-8)
Determined To Serve God Early In Life • Cleaned up & repaired Temple - 2 Chr. 29:3 • Received good instruction while young • Sought to please God first – 2 Chr. 29:10 • Learn: • Teach children while young • Much evil coming from many different places • Obey God & not be concerned with what others think or say • We make our own choice about serving God
Hezekiah Returned Judah To True Religion • Did not compromise with false religion (2 Kgs. 18:4) • Understood difference between restoration and reformation (Jer. 6:16) • Reopened temple (2 Chr. 29:3) • Called Levites & issued instructions (2 Chr. 29:4, 15) • Called all Israel to Worship (2 Chr. 30:5-11) • Was not a hypocritical show (2 Chr. 31:20-21)
We Must Follow Hezekiah’s Faithful Example • Though 2,000 years old; gospel is still God’s power to save (Rom. 1:16) • Still only one way to be reconciled to God (Acts 4:12; Eph. 2:16) • Still only one body (Eph. 4:4) • Still only 5 authorized acts of worship (Acts 2:42; 20:7; Eph. 5:19) • We need to call all men to serve God • We will be laughed at and ridiculed • Still some will humbly obey God
Hezekiah Carried His Problems To God • When faced with enemy forces (2 Chr. 32:1) • Encouraged the people to faithfulness (32:7-8) • Prayed to God for deliverance (Isa. 37:14-20) • The Lord answered (Isa. 37:36) • When faced with illness (Isa. 38:1) • Prayed (Isa. 38:2-3) • Again, God answered (Isa. 38:4-5) • Lessons: • God hears & answers prayer (1 Pet. 3:12; Jas. 5:16)