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Hezekiah the Reformer. Hezekiah. Scholars are confused about his age and then length of his reign (2 Kings 18:1-2) From the Bible Ahaz’s reign (2 Kings 16:1-2) compared to Pekah’s (2 Kings 15:27) and Hoshea’s (2 Kings 17:1) The end of Israel during Hezekiah’s reign (2 Kings 18:9-12)
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Hezekiah • Scholars are confused about his age and then length of his reign (2 Kings 18:1-2) • From the Bible • Ahaz’s reign (2 Kings 16:1-2) compared to Pekah’s (2 Kings 15:27) and Hoshea’s (2 Kings 17:1) • The end of Israel during Hezekiah’s reign (2 Kings 18:9-12) • Clear biblical distinction between his co-regency and his reign. • 2 Chron. 29:3 • 2 Kings 18:13 vs. 701 B.C. date.
Hezekiah • Apparently Ahaz declared him king-in-training ca. 728 B.C. at age 12-15. • He began his sole reign in 718-15 B.C. at 25. From this point, he reigned 29 years.
Need for Reform • There hadn’t been a whole-heartedly good king since Jehoshaphat • Jehoram. 2 Chron. 21:6. • Ahaziah 2 Chron. 22:3 • Joash 2 Chron. 24:2, 17-18 • Amaziah 2 Chron 25:2,14-15 • Uzziah 2 Chron. 26:3-4, 16 • Jotham2 Chron. 27:2; 2 Kings 15:32-35 • Throughout all their reigns, the people offered sacrifice in the high places
Need for Reform • Then came Ahaz (2 Kings 16, 2 Chron. 28) • Worshipped at all high places sites • Sacrificed his children to the gods • Removed God’s altar and put idol’s altar in Temple • Made idols to Baal and began to serve Syrian gods • Shut the doors to the Temple • Cut into pieces the vessels of the Temple • Tore apart the bronze sea • Ripped up other parts of the Temple area.
The Reformer • 2 Kings 18:3-4 Like David • 2 Chron. 29:3. First year, first month. He didn’t wait around. • Hezekiah’s reforms (2 Chronicles): • 29:5-11. He calls on Levites to sanctify themselves and to clean out, sanctify and open the Temple. • Clean out all the filth and debris • re-manufacture the vessels which Ahaz destroyed • Sanctify the Temple. • Took a total of 16 days
The Reformer • Hezekiah’s reforms • 29:20-24. Offered a sin offering for all Israel. (Lev. 4:13-21) • 29:25-28. Restored the proper musical worship and restarted daily burnt offerings. • 29:31-36. Encouraged the people to bring offerings to God.
The Passover • 30:3 Observed in 2nd month due to lack of sanctified priests. (Num. 9:1-12) • 30:1-9 Invited remaining Israelites to join • 30:14 The people cleanse Jerusalem of idolatrous altars. • 30:17-18. Exception made. (2 Pet 3:9) • 30:23-27 Feast extended an extra week. Hezekiah provides freewill offerings.
Continued Reform • The people swarm Judah and destroy all high places, idols and altars • Hezekiah reinstituted the courses of priests and Levites • Reinstituted the tithe for the priests/Levites • Reinstituted the various offices for Temple administration