Topical Bible: Christian Minister: Hezekiah

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Hezekiah, a prominent figure in the Old Testament, is best known as the 13th king of Judah, reigning during a period of significant religious reform and political challenge. His account is primarily found in 2 Kings 18-20, 2 Chronicles 29-32, and Isaiah 36-39. Hezekiah's reign is marked by his devout commitment to God, his efforts to restore proper worship in Judah, and his reliance on divine intervention during times of crisis.

Background and Ascension to the Throne

Hezekiah was the son of King Ahaz and ascended to the throne of Judah around 715 BC. Unlike his father, who was known for idolatrous practices, Hezekiah was a reformer who sought to return Judah to the worship of Yahweh. The Berean Standard Bible describes Hezekiah as a king who "did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, just as his father David had done" (2 Kings 18:3).

Religious Reforms

One of Hezekiah's first acts as king was to cleanse and restore the temple in Jerusalem, which had been neglected and desecrated during his father's reign. Hezekiah reopened the doors of the temple and repaired them, calling the Levites and priests to consecrate themselves and the temple (2 Chronicles 29:3-5). He reinstituted the Passover, inviting not only the people of Judah but also those from the northern kingdom of Israel to participate, in an effort to unify the worship of Yahweh (2 Chronicles 30:1-5).

Hezekiah's reforms extended to the destruction of idolatrous symbols and high places. He broke into pieces the bronze serpent that Moses had made, for the Israelites had begun to worship it as an idol (2 Kings 18:4). His actions demonstrated a commitment to purifying the religious practices of his people and aligning them with the covenantal laws given to Moses.

Political Challenges and Divine Deliverance

Hezekiah's reign was also marked by significant political challenges, particularly from the Assyrian Empire. In the 14th year of his reign, Sennacherib, king of Assyria, invaded Judah and laid siege to Jerusalem. Hezekiah sought the counsel of the prophet Isaiah and turned to God in prayer for deliverance. The BSB records Hezekiah's prayer: "O LORD our God, please save us from his hand, so that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You alone, O LORD, are God" (2 Kings 19:19).

In response to Hezekiah's faith and prayer, God delivered Jerusalem by sending an angel who struck down 185,000 Assyrian soldiers, forcing Sennacherib to withdraw (2 Kings 19:35-36). This miraculous deliverance underscored the power of God and the efficacy of Hezekiah's reliance on divine intervention.

Hezekiah's Illness and Recovery

Later in his reign, Hezekiah fell gravely ill. The prophet Isaiah informed him that he would not recover, but Hezekiah prayed earnestly for healing. God heard his prayer and granted him an additional fifteen years of life, providing a sign by causing the shadow on the sundial to move backward (2 Kings 20:1-11). This event further illustrated Hezekiah's close relationship with God and his reliance on prayer.

Legacy

Hezekiah's reign is remembered for his dedication to God, his religious reforms, and his reliance on prayer and prophecy. His efforts to restore the worship of Yahweh and his faith in God's deliverance left a lasting impact on the spiritual life of Judah. Despite his later missteps, such as showing the Babylonian envoys the treasures of his kingdom (2 Kings 20:12-19), Hezekiah is regarded as one of the most faithful kings of Judah, whose life and reign serve as an example of devout leadership and trust in God.

Nave's Topical Index

2 Chronicles 30:3,5
For they could not keep it at that time, because the priests had not sanctified themselves sufficiently, neither had the people gathered themselves together to Jerusalem.
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Library

Hezekiah
... Hezekiah appealed directly to the priests to unite with him in bringing about the ...
you to stand before Him, to serve Him, and that ye should minister unto Him ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 28 hezekiah.htm

Lyra Germanica: The Christian Year
... Lyra Germanica: The Christian Year Catherine Winkworth. ... the messengers, and read
it, and Hezekiah went up ... ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for those ...
//christianbookshelf.org/winkworth/lyra germanica the christian year/

Prov. 22:06 the Duties of Parents
... as one that should adorn a Christian minister: "a bishop ... is the fact, that in many
Christian families they ... Solomon, and Manasseh the son of Hezekiah, and that ...
/.../the upper room being a few truths for the times/chapter xvi prov 22 6 the.htm

A Godly Reformation
... Hezekiah was in earnest, and his resolve was none the ... calls those who love Him; not
to minister to self ... If Christian people thought more earnestly on what Jesus ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/a godly reformation.htm

Of Creation
... not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them ... There are many things
in the Christian's way betwixt him ... of by his saints, as David, Hezekiah, &c. ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/lecture xviii of creation.htm

From the Close of the General Conference of 1820 to the Beginning ...
... states of Kentucky and Tennessee, and Lewis Garrett and Hezekiah Holland were ... And
his general deportment as a Christian minister, among his brethren and the ...
/.../chapter 6 from the close.htm

Paul's Departure and Crown;
... becoming all the saints, but chiefly those that minister in the ... [THE CHRISTIAN'S
DUTY AND ... I might come to Hezekiah, Jehoshaphat, Josias; with old Simeon also ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/pauls departure and crown.htm

Of the Power and Authoritie Given to Synods.
... 15.10 to 15, in the time of Hezekiah, 2 Chron ... by our best Divines, as not appliable
to Christian churches;) but ... As they meet to minister light and peace to such ...
/.../the keyes of the kingdom of heaven and power thereof/chap vi of the power.htm

The Minstrel
... hast seen letters like this before; for thy servant Hezekiah showed thee ... me a good
book;" "Bring me a godly minister;" "Bring me a Christian man accustomed ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 27 1881/the minstrel.htm

Aaron, his Office no Palliation of his Sin, 61.
... Hezekiah, God's merciful dealing with, [181]105 ... Rufinus, chief minister at the court
of Constantinople, [400 ... 407]82; "I renounce thee" a Christian watchword, [408 ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/aaron his office no palliation.htm