2nd Kings – Bible Lesson 22.
Just for your thoughts:
2nd Kings – Bible Lesson 22.
The Petition of the Great Reformer Who changed God’s decision
In the Holy Bible, the only man who asked God to extend his days of life and received an answer was King Hezekiah.
He became king at the age of 29. At the age of 39, the Lord appointed his death.
But in the very first 10 years of his reign, no other king in the Bible carried out reforms for the Temple like he did.
If in the history of the New Testament Church Martin Luther is called a great reformer, then in the Old Testament King Hezekiah may rightly be considered a forerunner of reformation.
Let us now look at the reforms he carried out during his first 10 years:
Year 1
Opened and purified the doors of the Temple (2 Chronicles 29:3).
Destroyed high places, Asherah poles, and idols.
Broke into pieces the bronze serpent made by Moses (Nehushtan), which had become an idol of worship (2 Kings 18:4).
Year 2
Restored the sacrifices, worship, and singing of psalms in the Temple (2 Chronicles 29:20–36).
Organized the work of the priests and Levites, and provided them with what was necessary (2 Chronicles 31:2–10).
Year 3
Celebrated a great Passover that had not been observed for many years. He invited people not only from Judah but also from Israel (2 Chronicles 30).
Year 4
After the Passover, he destroyed idols, Asherah poles, and high places throughout Judah and Israel (2 Chronicles 31:1).
Thus, during his first ten years, Hezekiah focused entirely on spiritual reformation, restoration of Temple worship, and removal of idolatry. He restored to Judah and Israel the centrality of Jerusalem and the Temple, which was one of the greatest achievements in his reign.
It is not how long a man lives that matters, but what he accomplishes during his lifetime. King Hezekiah proved this truth. About him it is written:
"He trusted in the LORD, the God of Israel; so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor among them that were before him." (2 Kings 18:5).
This statement includes David, Solomon, Jehoshaphat, and Josiah — yet even above them, Hezekiah excelled in reformation. That is why, when death was appointed for him at a young age, it caused him great sorrow. When the prophet Isaiah brought him the word that he would not recover, Hezekiah prayed earnestly:
"Remember, O LORD, how I have walked before You faithfully and with wholehearted devotion and have done what is good in Your eyes." And Hezekiah wept bitterly (2 Kings 20:3).
God could not reject such a plea. He even changed His own decision. The Bible records only a few occasions when God changed His mind, and this is one of them. The Lord remembered how Hezekiah had dedicated his first ten years to the Temple and the work of reformation, and so He granted him 15 more years of life.
Today, the churches are in desperate need of the same kind of cleansing and renewal — to remove corruption, false teachings, and spiritual decay. Leaders are needed who will reform the Church. And such leaders must raise up young men with passion and courage, training them to become Hezekiahs and Martin Luthers of this generation.
The reformation of the Church is absolutely necessary. Teaching about this reformation is even more necessary. Otherwise, churches that are meant to be living fountains will become mere mechanical institutions, devoid of life.
Ezekiel Shanmugavel