Hezekiah

Immanuel Lutheran Church ~ Mankato, MN
Fall 2000 Bible Study
Lesson 11 — December 10, 2000

HEZEKIAH

2 Kings: 18-20; 2 Chronicles 29-32; Isaiah 36-39

Hezekiah began reigning at 25 years old
Hezekiah ruled in Judah for 29 years

2 Kings 18:3-8 – God evaluation of Hezekiah as king

What contrasts exist between Hezekiah and the pattern we’ve seen in the other kings…even the "good" kings?
What does the history of the bronze snake tell us about sinful nature?

Samaria fell in Hezekiah’s 6^th year
Sennacherib comes against Jerusalem/Judah in Hezekiah’s 14^th year (same year as Hezekiah’s illness)

God’s Reformation through Hezekiah

2 Chronicles 29:3-11, 17-21, 28-34, 36
2 Chronicles 30:1-17, 22-27
2 Chronicles 31:1-10,20-21

What is the first thing we can notice about Hezekiah’s reform efforts?
What was the basis for Hezekiah’s reform?
What are the notable differences between Hezekiah’s efforts and those of earlier kings?
What shows that unbelief had been the rule in Judah for a very long time?
What shows the power of the Gospel?

Review 1 Kings 8:48-50…and smile with the joy of knowing the LORD!

Hezekiah & Sennacherib

2 Kings 18:7, 13-16 – beginnings
2 Chronicles 32:1-8 – the assault and preparations
2 Kings 18:17-37 – The Assyrian mockery
2 Kings 19:1-19 – The LORD’s response

What was Hezekiah’s first reaction in trouble?
What word of the Lord did Isaiah bring to Hezekiah and the people of Judah?
What was Hezekiah’s approach to his problem?

2 Kings 19:22-23, 32-34 – God’s Word to Sennacherib
2 Kings 19:35-37 – Sennacherib’s end

"The Destruction of Sennacherib"

George Gordon, Lord Byron

1. The Assyrian came down like the wolf on the fold,
And his cohorts were gleaming in purple and gold;
And the sheen of their spears was like stars on the sea,
When the blue wave rolls nightly on deep Galilee.

2. Like the leaves of the forest when Summer is green,
That host with their banners at sunset were seen;
Like the leaves of the forest when Autumn hath blown,
That host on the morrow lay withered and strown.

3. For the Angel of Death spread his wings on the blast,
And breathed in the face of the foe as he passed;
And the eyes of the sleepers waxed deadly and chil,
And their hearts but once heaved, and for ever grew still!

[2 intervening verses]

6. And the widows of Ashur are loud in their wail
And the idols are broke in the temple of Baal;
And the might of the Gentile, unsmote by the sword,
Hath melted like snow in the glance of the Lord!

Hezekiah’s Sickness

2 Kings 20:1-11 – Hezekiah’s life graciously extended
2 Chronicles 32:24-26 – the king’s weakness and promise from God

Hezekiah’s Pride

2 Kings 20:12-19 – Hezekiah’s most notable sin
Isaiah 39:1-2b – additional information about the envoys from Babylon
2 Chronicles 32:27-31 – prosperity weakened Hezekiah

{WCE}

Coming Next Week….
Manasseh/Amon
2 Kings 21; 2 Chronicles 33

CLC 2000
Celebrating 40 years of God’s Grace