This is the week of Messy Camp at church and boy has it been a week! I feel like a century has went by since I last blogged or led my Bible study class! I'm continuing this study on King Hezekiah. The lessons that I will be doing will take place in 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles. Something that I learned recently and that has helped me in studying for these lessons, is how the books of Kings and Chronicles go hand and hand. I never knew that until about 6-7 months ago. As a matter of fact, the timeline and the way the Old Testament is set up has become more clearer to me over the past few months. Some of you have probably known that information for a long time but for those of you that are like me, I hope that helps you!
2Chron 32:1
After all that Hezekiah had so faithfully done, Sennacherib king of Assyria came and invaded Judah. He laid siege to the fortified cities, thinking to conquer them for himself.
Hezekiah saw that they were under attack and he made plans with his officials and military staff to do what was needed to protect their city and their people. (verses 2-6) Look what he tells them in verses 7-8.
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater power with us than with him. With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles.
The king of Assyria threatened the people and tried to intimidate them. He spoke against the Lord and King Hezekiah. He insulted the Lord and tried to convince and scare the people of Jerusalem. But King Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah, cried out to God for help. The Lord sent an angel who annihilated all the fighting men and the leaders of the Assyrian army. So the king withdrew and went disgracefully back to his own country and when he arrived back, they killed him. God saved the people of Jerusalem. The people of Jerusalem brought offerings to the Lord and gifts to King Hezekiah. He was highly respected by all the nations.
If you read in 2 Kings chapter 20, you'll learn that it was in those days that King Hezekiah
became ill. Isaiah, the prophet, went to him and told him that he was going to die and that he needed to put his house in order. (the Lord had spoken this to Isaiah) Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord,
"Remember, O Lord, how I have walked before you faithfully and with wholehearted devotion and have done what is good in your eyes."
The Lord sent Isaiah back to tell him these words:
"I have heard your prayer and seen your tears, I will heal you."
He also told him that he would add fifteen years to his life and he turned back time! If you read what happened, you will see that the sign that God gave to Hezekiah would be that he would make the shadow go back ten steps. What a miracle! It is uncertain how God did it, but the
commentary in my Bible said, that it has been suggested, that he reversed the earth's rotation. It went on to say, that since He is the creator, he is the one who is able to make his creation behave any way he chooses! He displayed his power over the natural world. How cool is that? :)
King Hezekiah continued to grow in fame and fortune. He was richly blessed and had the respect and honor of his kingdom. He had silver, gold, spices, armory, shields and lots of other valuables.
"He succeeded in everything he undertook. But when envoys from Babylon were sent to ask him about the miraculous sign that had occurred in the land, God left him to test him and to know everything that was in his heart." 2 Chron 32:31
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