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)
Vs.4. High places : Places of convenient worship to gods
Sacred pillars: Prosperity, offer at these things
Asherah Poles: Pole to Canaanite gods .... Sexual, perverted ...
And ... Destroyed the good godly snake.
- A godly snake ... It was gods snake.
- It was a "Good OLD Snake"!
About The Snake
From the day Israelites left Egypt they complained.
- Their bodies left Egypt ... But their hearts & minds were still there.
They complained about:
- Travel, food, Moses, wilderness, wanted to go back, manna, unfair, ....Like your kids on a trip & want to stop at every MacDonalds ...
God Grew Tired
Numbers 21: 5-9 ..... sent in snakes ...
- God rescued them with a snake on a pole ... Talk about faith!
- Type Christ. (Just look and believe)
- Eventually got on their feet again and broke camp (vs. 10)
Someone said: "Hey, we better save the snake".
They carried it. (Had served its purpose ... but ...)
- For over 700 years!
- Moses in wilderness
- Joshua’s campaigns into the promised land
- Times of the Judges .. Deborah, Gideon, Samson ...
- Times of Saul, David & Solomon ....
Through these times it grew from Gods object to a god object.
They put it in the temple ...
NOTE: through all these times ... revival times, turn to God times .. this remained ..
- There is always something .. you never fully arrive. There is always somehting to deal with.
Certain it was an object lesson:
- Imagine a Father and son .. "Dad, a snake .. look really!, a snake! Why?
- Father let him know .. Story of Numbers 21
Then something happened ... time passed ... People began to burn incense (WORSHIP)
Hezekiah: 25 years old ... new king ... took it and broke it!
TIMES HAVE CHANGED, BUT PEOPLE HAVEN’T!
- You know as well as I do, he didn’t do that with the applause of the whole crowd!
- There were people that cried ... MOSES brought that in!!!!
- Committee: "Save the good old snake committee"
- Petition: "Save the snake, get rid of the king." ... sign the dotted line!
Lots of complaining ....
God wanted to do something new!
When "good old snakes" BECOME "bad old snakes" ...
- YOU CALL IT AS IT IS ... THEN DESTROY IT!
"Nehushtan" ... a piece of brass ... a chunk of metal ...
Times have changed ... People haven’t!
RELIGIOUS ACTIONS DO NOT CUT IT!
- Following God is first and foremost an action of the heart!
- Going to church won’t make to a Christian any more than going to Ming Mings chinese restaurant will make you a chicken ball.
His outward actions were a mere reflection of
4. His INWARD Actions. v. 5,6
Let me give you a few phrases …
- “He trusted in the Lord.”
Proverbs 3:5-8 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own
understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.
Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and depart from evil. It will be health to
your flesh, And strength to your bones.
- “He held fast to the Lord”
You know there were times when many tried to deter him. Tried to “reason” with him.
His counselors would say Hezekiah … people are not happy.
This term “held fast” pictures a person in a rushing river holding onto a rock as the water rushes by and tries to sweep them away.
THIS IS INNER DETERMINATION! To follow Jesus today this is a must!
- “He did not depart from following him”
There was not an off and on relationship here. He said I have decided to follow God and he did.
· When it looked bleak he trusted.
· When others said that is not the way. He held fast.
· When others said come follow this way. He did not depart.
- “He kept the commandments that God commanded Moses.”
He stuck with what he knew. The laws of God to Moses.
They were “old fashion” but Hezekiah said I will hold fast to that!
III. THE RESULTS OF HIS ACTIONS.
a. God was WITH him.
b. God PROSPERED him.
c. He subdued his ENEMIES.
Let me give you another: He did not serve the King of Assyria
He left his slavery to the world. He would not be pushed around by other kings and influences.
As for me and my house/nation we will serve the Lord!
IV. CONCLUSION
Let him that would move the world, first move himself. – Socrates
What the philosopher is saying is that it begins with you.
Hezekiah turned a nation around.
- In spite of his upbringing.
- In spite of false teaching.
- In spite of bad examples.
- In spite of his family.
He decided to follow God. He trusted and held fast when all was against him.
God was with him, prospered him and freed him from his enemies.
GOD IS LOOKING FOR THE SAME TODAY!
