Hezekiahs Example

Hezekiah’s Example

2Kings 18:1-8 Rev. R. B. Hughes

2Kings 18:3,7a, 8 He did what was right in the sight of the LORD … The LORD was with him; he prospered wherever he went … He subdued the Philistines.

I. INTRODUCTION TO HEZEKIAH

The first couple of verses of this chapter give us some insight into this man who lived some 2700 years ago.

As you know one of my favorite life proverbs is that “It matters not what you teach your kids they will grow up to be just like you.”

Well this like most other proverbs come with an exception rule. The rule is this: It may not happen that way.

- You may be a good parent and end up with a rotter.

- You may be a bad parent and end up with a gem.

I believe it is even a stronger rule that sons grow up to be like their father. (Again with exceptions.)

Hezekiah is an exception.

- Hezekiah grew up with the palace life.

- He was a prince. Son of the King and heir to the throne.

- You know William and Harry … heirs to throne. Celebrities. SAME FOR HEZY.

- The good life … handed to him on a platter. Power and servants.

He is the son of Ahaz. See 2Kings 16:2-3

- Ahaz would go down as one of the most wicked Kings in the history of Judah.

- He would lead his nation down the path of godless vices.

- He even offered his own son Hezekiah to the gods of Moloch. V.3.

- He wanted his son to be a chip off the old block!

At 25 years of age Hezekiah became king of Judah.

He reigned for 29 years in Jerusalem and brought revival to the country of Judah.

Lets look to this unlikely hero and see what we can learn.

II. THE ACTIONS OF KING HEZEKIAH.

The first action is vital for us all. It reminds us of an important aspect of Gods involvement in our lives.

1. An act of the WILL. v. 3.

As an act of his will Hezekiah decides to not follow the way of his father the king.

2Kings 16:2 It says of King Ahaz “He did not do what was right in the sight of God”

2Kings 18:3 It says of King Hezekiah “He did what was right in the sight of God.”

THIS WAS AN ACT OF THE WILL!

This is a decision we all make on our own.

There is a song, “I have decided to follow Jesus”.

Psalm 34:1 “I will bless the Lord at all times”.

I can assure you this was not a popular decision.

The nation was following after false idols and thumbing their nose at God.

One of the keys for Hezekiah I believe is found in the next statement.

“According to all his father David had done”.

AHAZ MAY HAVE BEEN HIS PHYSICAL FATHER BUT THE EXAMPLE OF DAVID WAS HIS SPIRITUAL FATHER.

2. An EXAMPLE to follow. v. 3.

I know very few people, if any, who decided to follow Jesus in their lives without first seeing a positive example of a life lived for God beforehand.

Unfortunately we hear more than enough, “If that is what the followers of God are like I want nothing to do with God.”

The prophet Isaiah was also a very good example for Hezekiah. Isaiah would have frequented the palace.

Two things: Look for a good example and secondly be a good example.

We are constantly looking for good examples to introduce to our children. WE ALL KNOW THE POWER OF A GOOD OR BAD EXAMPLE!

Don’t know any good examples?

- Read Christian biographies

- Follow biblical examples.

According to the examples he saw and admired Hezekiah decided as an act of his will to follow God with all of his heart.

When he decided this in his heart I do not know and the scripture does not say BUT WE CERTAINLY SEE THE EVIDENCE OF IT.

Look at his …

3. His OUTWARD actions. v. 4.

He began to destroy access to all the areas’ of temptation that pulled himself and other away from the worship of the one true God.

We want to follow Jesus yet we fill our lives with garbage day in and out through what we see on TV, what we read, what we listen to, who we spend our time with … etc.

Not just the obvious sins but look at this next outward action. It is very telling.

HE BREAKS DOWN FALSE RELIGIOUS HOPE.

I’m not sure he knew all about being a king but he knew this ... He got rid of sin!

(indebted to Haddon Robinson for some of the insights into the bronze serpant)