Kings & Prophets 04/10/2016 Hezekiah: Passages

• -20 • -32 • 36-39 • , 30, 31 Hezekiah

• Son of . Reigned for 29 yrs from 715-686 BC • He ascended to the throne under extremely distressing situations: • Idolatry of his father, the fall of , as a vassal of

• His reign was known for his extensive religious reforms and attempts to gain independence from the Assyrians, as well as his trust in Yahweh

• Sirach ranks Hezekiah with and • His name means “Yahweh strengthens” Hezekiah: Religious Reform

• Initiated drastic and extensive religious reform:

1. Assembled the priests and to consecrated themselves and the Temple 2. Purified the Temple from the first day of his reign

3. Reopened and restored Temple worship

4. Celebrated the : Invited all Israel and

5. Contributed toward the Temple worship

6. Removed the high places, smashed the sacred stones, cut down the asherah poles, broke to pieces the Nehushtan (bronze snake made) Hezekiah

• 2Kings18:3,5-7b: “He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, just as his father David had done…Hezekiah trusted in the Lord… there was no one like him among all the kings of Judah, either before or after him. He held fast to the Lord and did not cease to follow him; he kept the commands the Lord had given Moses. And the Lord was with him; he was successful in whatever he undertook.”

• 2 Chr 31:21 “In everything that he undertook in the service of God’s temple and in obedience to the Law and the commands, he sought his God and worked wholeheartedly. And so he prospered”

• 2 Chr 32:1 “After all that Hezekiah hadst faithfully done, king of Assyria came and invaded Judah….” Hezekiah’s Bulla (Seal)

• In 2015, a clay seal that reads “Belonging to Hezekiah (son of) Ahaz King of Judah” was discovered in site near the in by Dr. Eilat Mazer.This the first such seal of a Judean king unearthed. Ophel in Jerusalem Hezekiah: Military defense

• Hezekiah rebelled against the king of Assyria, likely 705BC.

• Developed extensive defense program in anticipation to Assyrian attack:

• Repaired and reinforced the wall of Jerusalem • Manufactured weapons and shields

• Organized his military officers, assembled and encouraged his people.

• Blocked off the springs and wells around Jerusalem

• Constructed a tunnel connecting the with the Spring (Hezekiah’s Tunnel or Siloam Tunnel) • Scripture hints toward Hezekiah’s alliance with (2 Kings 18:21, Isa 30:1-2 + Isa 31:1-3) Hezekiah: Spiritual Leadership

• Having done everything he could, Hezekiah placed his trust in God and encouraged his people and the military officers to do the same .(2 Chr 32:7-8)

• 6 He appointed military officers over the people and assembled them before him in the square at the city gate and encouraged them with these words: 7 “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. 8 With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the LORD our God to help us and to fight our battles.” And the people gained confidence from what Hezekiah the king of Judah said. Hezekiah: Broad Wall Hezekiah’s (Siloam) Tunnel

• Hezekiah constructed a tunnel through 1777 ft of solid rock ,with 2 team of engineers, to channel fresh water from to the pool of Siloam.

• The city wall of Jerusalem was extended to enclosed Siloam Pool to protect this vital water source.

Siloam Inscription

• A passage of inscribed text found in Siloam Tunnel, discovered in 1884, describing how the tunnel was dug.

• The only known ancient inscription which commemorates a public construction work. Isaiah

• Prince of Prophet. Isaiah means “Yahweh is salvation” • Ministry: 740-680 BC, Prophesied to Judah • : Major divisions • Part 1: Prophecies of Condemnation (1-35) • Part 2: The Historical Parenthesis (36-39) **Hezekiah** • Part 3: The Prophecies of Comfort (40-66) Isaiah: Ministry during Hezekiah’s Reign

• To proclaim to Judah and Hezekiah: Put your trust in Yahweh, not Egypt!

• Isaiah 20: During the time of Sargon II (711BC), Isaiah went stripped and barefoot for three years as a prophetic sign and omen against Egypt and Cush, as well as a prophetic warning to Judah NOT to trust in Egypt nor to make alliance with her.

• -31: Now this likely took place during the reign of Sennacherib when Isaiah proclaimed “Woe to Egyptian Alliance”. Isaiah: Ministry during Hezekiah’s Reign

• Proclaimed God’s deliverance of Jerusalem from Assyria (:32-34), and

• Pronounced God’s judgement upon Sennacherib (2 Kings 19:6-7) • Proclaimed healing to Hezekiah from mortal illness (2Kings 20:1-11)

• Pronounced God’s judgement upon Judah through the hands of the Babylonian (2Kings 20:12-18)

• Indeed, Isaiah’s ministry demonstrates“Yahweh alone is salvation” King Sennacherib of Assyria

• Ruled from 705-681 BC • One of the great kings of Assyria • Known as a ruthless destroyer • Rebuilt . • First Assyrian ruler who used a navy in 694 BC to pursue Chaldean rebels. • Rebellion broke out upon the death of his father Sargon II • : Merodach-Baladan seized the throne with support of Elamites. Defeated by Sennacherib • Judah, Syria and other Canaanite nations.

King Sennacherib of Assyria

• 705 B.C: Sennacherib became king of Assyria

• 702 B.C: Defeated Merodach-baladan and put out the Babylonian rebellion.

• 701 B.C: Advanced westward taking Sidon, Joppa, .

• Enroute to Eltekeh and defeated the Egyptian forces

• In 701 B.C, King Sennacherib attacked all the fortified cities of Judah and captured them

• Hezekiah was forced to released Padi king of Ekron and paid a heavy tribute, stripping gold and silver from the temple.

• Sennacherib was was attacking Lachish at the time Lachish

• Was the most important city in Judah after Jerusalem • An important center of royal administration. • The Tel of Lachish was a powerful city with an imposing mound and fortification.

Siege of Lachish

• Sennacherib annihilated this city during his campaign in 701 BC. • 2 Kings 18:17 states, “The king of Assyria sent his supreme commander, his chief officer and his field commander with a large army, from Lachish to King Hezekiah at Jerusalem.” • He built an amazing palace called “Palace without Rival” consist of 70 rooms lined with limestone slabs carved in low relief with scenes commemorating Sennacherib’s campaigns. The main focus came from Room XXVI which commemorates the defeat of Lachish in the Assyrian Assyrian Lachish Reliefs http://www.bible-archaeo Sennacherib’s Prism

• A 6-sided clay prism called Sennacherib’s Prism details the Assyrian king’s successful campaign throughout Judah Sennacherib’s Stele

• Assyrian stele found in the ruin of the royal palace of Nineveh with similar recording as Sennacherib’s Prism Sennacherib’s threat against Jerusalem

• After Sennacherib received the tribute from Hezekiah (while he was attacking Lachish), he now sent his army to threatens Jerusalem. • The taunt was delivered in Hebrew: What is the basis of your confidence? • Military strength? Egypt? The Lord? • Do not trust Hezekiah • Hezekiah’s response: • He humbled himself and seek the Lord • Seek guidance form Isaiah: • Isaiah’s message: Sennacherib will not succeed and will be put to death Sennacherib’s threat against Jerusalem

• Field commander left for Libnah because Sennacherib has left Lachish and is fighting against Libnah. • Sennacherib received a report that Tirhakah Cushite king of Egypt's marching out against him • Commander left a letter of taunt and threat to Hezekiah • Hezekiah’s response: He brought the letter to the Temple and prayed to the Lord for deliverance, with the letter spread out in the Temple. • Isaiah’s response: sent a messenger to declare the prophesy of Sennacherib’s fall and the deliverance of Jerusalem. Sennacherib’s threat against Jerusalem

• That night the angel of the Lord put to death 185,000 Assyrian soldiers • Sennacherib withdrew and returned to Nineveh • 20 yrs later (681BC), he was murdered by 2 of his sons in the temple of his god while he was worshiping Hezekiah’s Illness 2 Kings 20:1-11/

• Time frame: Around 701 BC during the Assyrian campaign, likely during the siege of Jerusalem

• Upon hearing the prophecy of his impending death, Hezekiah prayed to the Lord for mercy and deliverance

• God sent Isaiah to proclaim God’s healing and extension of his life by 15 years.

• A sign of the shadow going backward was the prophetic sign of his healing.

• Prepare medicinal us of poultice of figs and apply it to the boil. Envoy from Babylon 2 Kings 20:12-19/

• Hezekiah showed all his treasure to the messengers from Merodach-Baladan

• He was confronted by Isaiah who prophesied that Judah will be carried into exile by the Babylonian Hezekiah’s Pride, Success, & Death :24-33/ 2 Kings 20:12-19/ Isaiah 39

• The pride of Hezekiah (2 Chr 32:25-26): Not clearly specified. May refer to his pride in his treasures? Or pride in his miraculous healing? He repented along with the people of Jerusalem.

• He was successful in all his work. • Died in honor in 686 BC and succeeded by his son Manasseh. Hezekiah: Discussion Questions

• What are some leadership lessons you’ve learned from the life of Hezekiah? • How did Hezekiah demonstrate his trust in the Lord? • Group 1: 2 Chronicles 29 • Group 2: • Group 3: 2 Chronicles 32:1-23 Hezekiah: Leadership lessons

• Godly leader:

1. Trust in God alone at all time.

2. Encourages others to trust God at all time. Hezekiah: Take Home

1. II Chronicles 32: 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.” And the people gained confidence from what Hezekiah the king of Judah said.

2. Proverbs 3:5-6: Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.