Hezekiah

Good morning friends,
Today we get a change of pace and get to read about a good king. Hezekiah was one of two important, reforming Kings of Judah towards the end of Judah's independence. Notice that the standard of reference for kings is David. David, despite his flaws, remains the ideal of faithful kings, and Hezekiah, it seems, measures up.

Another fascinating piece of this passage is that the bronze serpent Moses made at God's command in Numbers 21, had become an idol. That's a good reminder that even things that are good in themselves can take the place of God and become idols for us. In our day the temptation isn't a bronze serpent, but maybe a special cross or something religious that means a lot to us. Even the Bible can become an idol if we think of it as divine rather than a witness to God. Hezekiah's courage in guiding Israel back to right faith in God can inspire us to reform the parts of our life that need change.

Blessings as you seek God's calling for you today,
Sam

2 Kings 18:1-8

In the third year of King Hoshea son of Elah of Israel, Hezekiah son of King Ahaz of Judah began to reign. ²He was twenty-five years old when he began to reign; he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Abi daughter of Zechariah. ³He did what was right in the sight of the Lord just as his ancestor David had done. ⁴He removed the high places, broke down the pillars, and cut down the sacred pole. He broke in pieces the bronze serpent that Moses had made, for until those days the people of Israel had made offerings to it; it was called Nehushtan.

⁵He trusted in the Lord the God of Israel; so that there was no one like him among all the kings of Judah after him, or among those who were before him. ⁶For he held fast to the Lord; he did not depart from following him but kept the commandments that the Lord commanded Moses. ⁷The Lord was with him; wherever he went, he prospered. He rebelled against the king of Assyria and would not serve him. ⁸He attacked the Philistines as far as Gaza and its territory, from watchtower to fortified city.