The legacy of Hezekiah

The legacy of Hezekiah

This Friday, we were privileged at CDC to have brother Eric Tan give the message on 2 Kings 18 where we looked at the beginning of the kingship of the great Hezekiah, one of the greatest kings Judah had ever known.

His father Ahaz had been a terrible king like many of the kings of Israel and Judah, worshipping other gods and even sacrificing his own son in the fire. However, King Hezekiah was totally different, and fully committed to the Lord from the start of his reign. He removed the high places, cut down the Asherah poles and removed the sacred stones, in effect destroying idol worship in the land. He even broke into pieces the bronze snake made by Moses which had become a detestable object of worship by the people of Judah for years. He restored the temple and the worship of the one true God and led Judah to many great victories, even against the might of Assyria.

Brother Eric focused on vs.3 which says that Hezekiah did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, just as his father David had done. But what did Hezekiah do right? And what can we learn from it?

Firstly, it is written that Hezekiah removed the high places. Brother Eric calls this fellowship with God. 2 Kings 18 details how he removed idol worship, but 2 Chronicles 29 details how he restored the temple, consecrating the priests and restoring the worship of God in the land. To restore fellowship with God, we must firstly put away our other gods, the other things that hold the dearest attention in our lives. Then we must purify ourselves, asking Jesus to forgive us of our sins and making us right with God. Then only can we have fellowship with God, which is the primary purpose of every human being.

Secondly, it is written that Hezekiah trusted in the Lord, the God of Israel. Brother Eric calls this trusting God. In bad times and times of crisis, it is easy for us to fall away, to lose our trust in God, and to follow evil in anger. However, Hezekiah trusted God, even when the might of Assyria was encamped at his doorstep, with hope all but gone. In difficult times, we too need to trust God, to believe He is there and will take care of us, even when things don’t seem right.

Finally, it is written that Hezekiah held fast to the Lord and did not cease to follow him, keeping all God’s commandments. Brother Eric calls this following God. Obedience is key to walking right with God, and God rewards those who are obedient to Him.

May the Lord help us always maintain fellowship with Him, help us trust Him and help us be obedient to Him as we follow Jesus in our personal lives.

God bless,

Jason