“Hezekiah became king when he was twenty-five years old, and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Abijah the daughter of Zechariah. 2 And he did what was right in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his father David had done. In the first year of his reign, in the first month, he opened the doors of the house of the Lord and repaired them. 4 Then he brought in the priests and the Levites, and gathered them in the East Square, 5 and said to them: “Hear me, Levites! Now sanctify yourselves, sanctify the house of the Lord God of your fathers, and carry out the rubbish from the holy place.” 2 Chronicles 29:1-5 NKJV
“And Hezekiah sent to all Israel and Judah, and also wrote letters to Ephraim and Manasseh, that they should come to the house of the Lord at Jerusalem, to keep the Passover to the Lord God of Israel. 2 For the king and his leaders and all the assembly in Jerusalem had agreed to keep the Passover in the second month. ” 2 Chronicles 30:1-4 NKJV
“Now when all this was finished, all Israel who were present went out to the cities of Judah and broke the sacred pillars in pieces, cut down the wooden images, and threw down the high places and the altars—from all Judah, Benjamin, Ephraim, and Manasseh—until they had utterly destroyed them all. Then all the children of Israel returned to their own cities, every man to his possession. 2 And Hezekiah appointed the divisions of the priests and the Levites according to their divisions, each man according to his service, the priests and Levites for burnt offerings and peace offerings, to serve, to give thanks, and to praise in the gates of the camp of the Lord.” 2 Chronicles 31:1-2 KJV
Father God,
Before we move on we need to see what the Chroniclers have to say about Hezekiah. They see the spiritual side of things and not just the facts. Here we see what Hezekiah did as a spiritual leader and King. He chose You as his God. He repaired the Temple, he called the priests, levites, Temple servants and singers back into service and rededicated them. He reinstated the passover and sacrifices and worship.
You God, granted him miraculous protection for Jerusalem when Sennacherib surrounded them. But he could not atone for the sins of those who had gone before. And sadly when he died his son did not follow his example. We are told Manassa was only 12 when he came to the throne but he overturned all Hezekiah’s reforms and rebuilt the offensive high places! We do not always understand why You leave such evil and sin in seats of power. But we have to trust You that the future is still in Your hands. The end of the Bible is our certain hope. A new earth and a new heaven (Revelation 21:1-4). And One King. You will restore everything good and true and pure and holy (Revelation 21:6-8).
Meanwhile Lord we thank you for good kings and rulers. We pray for those suffering under evil and that the evil will be overcome with good through You, God.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Monday 22nd June 2026
I indulge myself with a beautiful Salvation Army Hymn, because many are the things I cannot understand.
Written in Broadford Australia on April 11, 1967. The author said his inspiration came through seeing the beauty of the Australian night sky with the stars so clear. Psalm 8 coming to mind: ‘When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have set in place, what is man that You are mindful of him, the son of man that You care for him?’”
Many are the things I cannot understand;
All above me mystery I see;
But the gift most wonderful from God’s own hand
Surely is His gift of grace to me!
Higher than the stars that reach eternity,
Broader than the boundaries of endless space,
Is the boundless love of God that pardoned me;
O the wonder of His grace!
When I came to Jesus with my sin and shame,
And to Him confessed my deepest need,
When by faith I trusted fully in His name,
God’s rich grace was granted me indeed.
Passing understanding is His boundless love,
More than I can ever comprehend;
Jesus, in His mercy, left His throne above,
All to be my Saviour and my Friend.
Lyrics: Howard Davis