More From Reading through the Bible

I found myself enthralled with storyline from the Bible reading plan this morning. I am proud to announce I am finally caught up from last week.

The story that enchanted me was that of Hezekiah’s reign as King of Judah. Hezekiah was a prodigious leader for the nation, instituting sweeping changes in the spiritual landscape of the Jewish culture. In an ironic twist, Hezekiah was charged with cleaning up the mess his father, Ahaz created. An additional paradox ensued with his son, Manaseh. Manaseh followed in the steps of his grandfather, rejecting his father’s revolution, by turning the nation back to idolatry and apostasy.

While catching up in 2 Chronicles I noticed a sequence of events Hezekiah implemented to restore the nation back to their roots. Please forgive me for the use of alliteration, but that is the way the account hit me.

First, Hezekiah REPAIRED the temple of the Lord:

In the first year of his reign, in the first month, he opened the doors of the house of the Lord and repaired them.
2 Chronicles 29:3

Next, Hezekiah RESTORED the worship of the Lord:

Then Hezekiah the king rose early and gathered the officials of the city and went up to the house of the Lord.
2 Chronicles 29:20

After that, the king RE-ESTABLISHED the observance of the Passover:

Hezekiah sent to all Israel and Judah, and wrote letters also to Ephraim and Manasseh, that they should come to the house of the Lord at Jerusalem to keep the Passover to the Lord, the God of Israel.
2 Chronicles 30:1

Hezekiah REMOVED the elements used in idol worship:

Now when all this was finished, all Israel who were present went out to the cities of Judah and broke in pieces the pillars and cut down the Asherim and broke down the high places and the altars throughout all Judah and Benjamin, and in Ephraim and Manasseh, until they had destroyed them all. Then all the people of Israel returned to their cities, every man to his possession.
2 Chronicles 31:1

Hezekiah REAPPOINTED the temple priests:

2 And Hezekiah appointed the divisions of the priests and of the Levites, division by division, each according to his service, the priests and the Levites, for burnt offerings and peace offerings, to minister in the gates of the camp of the Lord and to give thanks and praise.
2 Chronicles 31:2

As the story progresses, we see the RESULT of his reformation:

Thus Hezekiah did throughout all Judah, and he did what was good and right and faithful before the Lord his God. And every work that he undertook in the service of the house of God and in accordance with the law and the commandments, seeking his God, he did with all his heart, and prospered.
2 Chronicles 31:20-21

Finally, we read of how he REBUILT the defenses of the nation:

He set to work resolutely and built up all the wall that was broken down and raised towers upon it, and outside it he built another wall, and he strengthened the Millo in the city of David. He also made weapons and shields in abundance.
2 Chronicles 32:5

That is a brief summary a king’s 29-year reign in Jerusalem. He accomplished many things during his service as monarch.

One other note, and I am done.

I think it is important to note that Hezekiah did what was right. He did what he was supposed to do, and he led the nation to do the same.

It is my experience that God has not called us to do great things for Him. God has not called us to do extraordinary things for Him. Instead, God has called us to do the common, the necessary and the important things. When we do that, God takes care of the rest.

I was refreshed by God’s Word today. I challenge you to start planning now to read through the Bible with me in 2008.