How Close Do You Want to Be to God? (2 Kings 14 – 18:12; 2 Chronicles 26 - 31)
What’s standing between you and deeper intimacy with God? Hezekiah’s story shows that when idols fall, God’s presence and blessing rise.
2 Kings 14 – 18:12; 2 Chronicles 26 - 31
Today's Scripture Passage
A Few Thoughts to Consider
Do you long for more of God’s presence in your life?
2 Kings 14–18:12 and 2 Chronicles 26–31 cover the reigns of several kings of Judah, showing how differently each one approached his duty to uphold the worship of God. It starts with Uzziah, who does well initially but ends up with leprosy after arrogantly trying to perform priestly duties. His successors, Jotham and Ahaz, are a study in contrasts: Jotham obeys God and flourishes, whereas Ahaz gets into idol worship, even to the extent of sacrificing his own son, which leads to military defeats and loss of territory.
Enter Hezekiah, the new king of Judah who would reign from approximately 715 to 686 BC. 2 Kings 18 has some high praise when verses 3-6 say,
3 He did what was right in the Lord’s sight just as his ancestor David had done. 4 He removed the high places, shattered the sacred pillars, and cut down the Asherah poles. He broke into pieces the bronze snake that Moses made, for until then the Israelites were burning incense to it. It was called Nehushtan.
5 Hezekiah relied on the Lord God of Israel; not one of the kings of Judah was like him, either before him or after him. 6 He remained faithful to the Lord and did not turn from following him but kept the commands the Lord had commanded Moses.
As August Konkel notes, “Hezekiah is not merely similar to David as Asa (1 Kings 15:11) or Jehoshaphat (22:43) were, but is the very model of the Davidic ideal (2 Kings 18:3, 5).”[1] By destroying the high places he does what no king before him had the courage to do. He even destroys the bronze snake that Moses had made because the people had turned what had been a good thing, and even a pointer to Christ, into a form of idolatry.
2 Chronicles 29-31 goes on to show how Hezekiah cleanses the temple and undoes the evil deeds committed by his father, King Ahaz. 2 Chronicles 31:20-21 says, 20 “Hezekiah did this throughout all Judah. He did what was good and upright and true before the Lord his God. 21 He was diligent in every deed that he began in the service of God’s temple, in the instruction and the commands, in order to seek his God, and he prospered.” As a result, Verse 7 says, “The Lord was with him, and wherever he went, he prospered.”
There is a direct link between our desire to tear down high places and God’s presence and blessing in our lives. When we refuse to confront what God hates, we live a double-minded life. But when we act and tear down those forms of idolatry that serve as substitutes for praise that belongs only to God, we experience clarity, provision, and joy.
A Meditation to PRAY
Praise | I praise you for your steadfastness and power, which are beautifully reflected in the life of King Hezekiah. His faithfulness in removing the idols and restoring true worship inspires me. Thank you for his example of unwavering commitment to your ways.
Release | Help me release any attachments or idols in my life that distract from my relationship with you. Like Hezekiah, may I have the courage to tear down anything that hinders my spiritual growth and allegiance to you.
