MOTIVATE

• A Canadian woman found out she was pregnant. She was overwhelmed with her circumstances, especially because this would be her 14^th child. She considered aborting her baby, but thankfully she did not. This baby girl would grow to become a beloved singer with millions of fans. Her name was Celine Dion.
• A 17 year old mother named Pattie was pressured to abort her son.  It was said she was too young and circumstances were not conducive to bringing a child into the world. However, the mother couldn’t bring herself to make this decision. Her son would grow up and his name was Justin Bieber.
• A woman was hospitalized with appendicitis. While this is somewhat a normal procedure, the challenge was that she was also pregnant. The doctors suggested she abort her child, because they baby would likely be born with some disability. Instead, the brave woman decided against it. Her son’s name was Andrea Bocelli, a famed pianist and vocalist.
• Pam suffered from amoebic dysentery, necessitating strong medication. Her health worsened when she discovered she was pregnant. Doctors viewed the pregnancy as a tumor, which needed to be removed. Pam refused and prayed for her health and the baby. The baby boy was born health, and has had an impressive athletic career as Tim Tebow.
• Another sports hero is alive today because of his mother’s decision. She thanks the Holy Spirit for turning her away from the abortion clinic. This child with purpose would be Steph Curry.
• One male child grew up believing his sister raised him and that the mother was not around. However, as the boy grew, he discovered that his sister was really his mother and the family helped this young mother raise her son instead of aborting him. The man’s name was Jack Nicholson.
• There are others: Steve Jobs, Oprah Winfrey, Cher, Sylvester Stallone, Cristiano Ronaldo. But these the names we recognize. There are numerous other stories of lesser known individuals that are just as meaningful and inspiring.[1]
• Another in the Bible appears to be Hezekiah. Except, Hezekiah escapes being aborted not from his mother but his father: Ahaz, who sacrificed his children by fire to worship false gods (2Chr 28:3).
• Today, we’ll discover several faith lessons from Hezekiah’s life.

EXAMINE           2 Kings 18-21            A King’s Heart

3 passages detail Hezekiah’s life: 2 Kings 18-20; 2 Chronicles 29-32; Isaiah 36-39.

Realize our identity is rooted in our faith not our circumstances. 

2 Kings 18:1–3  “In the third year of Hoshea son of Elah, king of Israel, Hezekiah the son of Ahaz, king of Judah, began to reign. He was twenty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Abi the daughter of Zechariah. And he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, according to all that David his father had done.”

Hezekiah’s name means “God strengthens.” The author of 1-2Kings writes more about Hezekiah than other kings, because, unlike the majority of other kings, Hezekiah’s life and leadership sought to honor God. Further, the passages compare Hezekiah’s leadership to the positive influence and legacy of king David.

Hezekiah turned out to be different from his father Ahaz. Instead of being a victim of his circumstances, or like a thermometer, imitating his environment, Hezekiah’s life was transformed likely from his mother: Abi.

Imagine being mismatched spiritually in a marriage to a man for about 16 years and he…

• Worshiped idols (2Chr 28:1-2)
• Sacrificed your children in fire for idol worship (2Chr 28:3)
• He’s a failure of a leader as the nation is conquered by fools (2Chr 28:5)
• He’s a traitor by selling out his nation to enemy nations. He does so by taking money from the church/temple (2Chr 28:16, 21).
• He brings down everyone around him with his choices & crimes (2Chr 28:19).
• He likely participates in adultery with multiple prostitutes as part of idol worship (2 Chr 28:4, 23)
• He shuts down churches & forbids people to gather in worship. He also goes on a Hulk-rage to pummel the church instruments, demolish furniture and shred Scriptures (2Chro 28:24).
• When Ahaz dies, he is buried without respect of a king (2Chro 28:27).

Yet, Abi appears to have survived the abuse and wickedness of her husband and remained faithful to God. Her name means “God is my father.” And she taught her one surviving son, Hezekiah, to fear the LORD.

It would have been easy for Abi and her son Hezekiah to have played the victim card, non-stop complain about their circumstances, and suffer the consequences of being unequally yoked in marriage and having an unbelieving, no-good, deadbeat dad and failure for a father. Instead, they kept their eyes on God and controlled their response to the circumstances when they could.

Likewise, our upbringing can be admirable or one to alter. Generational change starts with one.

Undoubtedly, one’s parents and upbringing are significantly influential. Yet, the life of Hezekiah is a reminder that family challenges can be overcome, generational curses can be reversed, and faith in God is our power to change life for the better.

> If you’re a spouse married to an unbeliever:
– Pray daily & fervently.
– Control your responses with faith centered perspective. (1Pet 3:1)
– Surround yourself w/ positive community.
– Stay, unless you can’t or until God calls (1 Cor 7:12-16).  

> If you’re child w/ unbelieving parent:
– Know your Heavenly Father (Ps 27:10)
– Control your responses with faith centered perspective. (Eph 6:1-3)
– Ask lots of spiritual questions…

> Church: part of disciplemaking is becoming a surrogate family that steps in, shows up, and tangibly supports these individuals/families.

Generational change starts with one. The life of Hezekiah is a reminder that family challenges can be overcome, generational curses can be reversed, and faith in God is our power to change life for the better. #2Kings18

Return our priorities to the LORD and not unworthy substances.  

“He removed the high places and broke the pillars and cut down the Asherah. And he broke in pieces the bronze serpent that Moses had made, for until those days the people of Israel had made offerings to it (it was called Nehushtan).” 2 Kings 18:4

Hezekiah learned from his father what not to do. So, his immediate action as a 25-year-old king was to tear down altars to false gods. He removed the high places, smashed the sacred stones, cut down Asherah poles, and broke into pieces the bronze snake Moses made… – – Num 21:4-9 explains the Israelites were traveling through the desert. They were complaining about the food God provided them to eat. So, God punished them for their ungratefulness and lack of trust for God to guide them to their destination. God sent fiery serpents to bite and kill many of the rebellious Israelites. However, many people quickly repented and asked for the LORD’s mercy. So, God commanded Moses to create a bronze serpent on a staff and hold it up for the people to reflect on God’s provision and protection; and indeed, they were spared death. Interestingly, Jesus used this event to symbolize His own body being lifted up for people to reflect and respect for salvation (Jn 3:14-15). We look to the Savior hanging on the cross and we are healed from the poison of sin and saved from the Satan serpent!

Yet – – – the Israelites were using Moses’ art craftsmanship as an idol by burning incense to it. And Hezekiah knew this was misplaced worship.

Today, we’re not worshiping bronze serpents but perhaps there are religious symbols or superstitious schedules that we profess importance

• Bible on shelf but unread or unapplied specifically; or random openings expecting God to act w/o sincerity of our relationship with Him.
• Church on special occasions…
• Traveling to Holy Land / holy water / touching holy people  
• Dress style / Music style

In itself, art & symbols & music can be used to awe our Creator and draw us to experience the near presence of God. [2] God was/is never anti-art, but He is anti-heart idolatry.

• Awards/Trophies don’t cause pride.
• Comfortable beds don’t cause sloth.
• Circumstances don’t cause wrath.
• Attractive people don’t cause lust.
• Executive chefs don’t cause gluttony.
• Nice possessions don’t cause envy.

So, each of us are enticed by a variety of desires that have the potential to sprout temptation and birth into sin. Our passions and priorities must reflect upon that of eternal value.

Ps 119:37 “Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways.”

Proverbs 4:23-27 “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life… Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you. Ponder the path of your feet, then all your ways be sure. Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your feet away from evil.”

If you’re like me, there are many attitudes or actions that are displeasing to God. But today, ask the Holy Spirit to help you identify one item of repentance.
Ps 139:23 “Search me, O God, and know my heart… see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

Recognize our battles belong to God not the flesh. 

2 Kings 18:14 -16 “And Hezekiah king of Judah sent to the king of Assyria at Lachish, saying, “I have done wrong; withdraw from me. Whatever you impose on me I will bear.” And the king of Assyria required of Hezekiah king of Judah three hundred talents of silver and thirty talents of gold. And Hezekiah gave him all the silver that was found in the house of the Lord and in the treasuries of the king’s house. At that time Hezekiah stripped the gold from the doors of the temple of the Lord and from the doorposts that Hezekiah king of Judah had overlaid and gave it to the king of Assyria.”

The king of Assyria has conquered Israel to the North and is threatening Judah. King Hezekiah attempts to appease Assyria with gold from the temple. Yet, the king’s greed is never satisfied. So, he sends ambassadors to warn Hezekiah against alliances with Egypt and to only obey and pay Assyria. He even talks god-speak that he’s sent from God to conquer Israel and rule Judah. Like many leaders, their pride inflates into a savior-complex.

^{2Kings 18:28} Then the Rabshakeh stood and called out in a loud voice in the language of Judah: “Hear the word of the great king, the king of Assyria! ²⁹ Thus says the king: ‘Do not let Hezekiah deceive you, for he will not be able to deliver you out of my hand. ³⁰ Do not let Hezekiah make you trust in the Lord by saying, The Lord will surely deliver us, and this city will not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria.’ ³¹ Do not listen to Hezekiah, for thus says the king of Assyria: ‘Make your peace with me and come out to me. Then each one of you will eat of his own vine, and each one of his own fig tree, and each one of you will drink the water of his own cistern, ³² until I come and take you away to a land like your own land, a land of grain and wine, a land of bread and vineyards, a land of olive trees and honey, that you may live, and not die. And do not listen to Hezekiah when he misleads you by saying, “The Lord will deliver us.” ³³ Has any of the gods of the nations ever delivered his land out of the hand of the king of Assyria?

But godly people see right through a politician’s empty promises. And they remained silent (v.36). Then King Hezekiah speaks “ 2Kings 19:3-4 “This is a day of distress, of rebuke, and of disgrace; children have come to the point of birth, and there is no strength to bring them forth. It may be that the Lord your God heard all the words of the Rabshakeh, whom his master the king of Assyria has sent to mock the living God, and will rebuke the words that the Lord your God has heard; therefore lift up your prayer for the remnant that is left.”

Hezekiah calls the people to fervent prayer and to listen to the faithful prophet Isaiah, 2 Kings 19:⁶ Isaiah said to them, “Say to your master, ‘Thus says the Lord: Do not be afraid because of the words that you have heard, with which the servants of the king of Assyria have reviled me. ⁷ Behold, I will put a spirit in him, so that he shall hear a rumor and return to his own land, and I will make him fall by the sword in his own land.’ ”

Isaiah’s prophecy is that the LORD will fight the battle for His people. Yet, the Assyrian king continues making threats. This time, he sends a letter promising more predatory raids against Judah. And Hezekiah knew his hopes were limited. So, he did the only thing he could:

2 Kings 19: ¹⁴ Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers and read it; and Hezekiah went up to the house of the Lord and spread it before the Lord. ¹⁵ And Hezekiah prayed before the Lord and said: “O Lord, the God of Israel, enthroned above the cherubim, you are the God, you alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; you have made heaven and earth. ¹⁶ Incline your ear, O Lord, and hear; open your eyes, O Lord, and see; and hear the words of Sennacherib, which he has sent to mock the living God. ¹⁷ Truly, O Lord, the kings of Assyria have laid waste the nations and their lands ¹⁸ and have cast their gods into the fire, for they were not gods, but the work of men’s hands, wood and stone. Therefore they were destroyed. ¹⁹ So now, O Lord our God, save us, please, from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you, O Lord, are God alone.” ²⁰ Then Isaiah the son of Amoz sent to Hezekiah, saying, “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: Your prayer to me about Sennacherib king of Assyria I have heard. ²¹ This is the word that the Lord has spoken concerning him: “She despises you, she scorns you—the virgin daughter of Zion; she wags her head behind you— the daughter of Jerusalem. ²² “Whom have you mocked and reviled? Against whom have you raised your voice and lifted your eyes to the heights? Against the Holy One of Israel!^…

Yahweh’s reprimand goes on… with reassurance – ³¹ For out of Jerusalem shall go a remnant, and out of Mount Zion a band of survivors. The zeal of the Lord will do this.34 For I will defend this city to save it, for my own sake and for the sake of my servant David.”

35 And that night the angel of the Lord went out and struck down 185,000 in the camp of the Assyrians. And when people arose early in the morning, behold, these were all dead bodies. 36 Then Sennacherib king of Assyria departed and went home and lived at Nineveh. 37 And as he was worshiping in the house of Nisroch his god, Adrammelech and Sharezer, his sons, struck him down with the sword and escaped into the land of Ararat. And Esarhaddon his son reigned in his place.

• Prayer should not be our last resort but first priority. When we attempt to fight battles in the flesh, we often end up intimidated, overwhelmed, and fearful of all the uncertainties. But, when we trust God to fight our battles – and not keep taking them back from His strategy – then God grants us a peace beyond understanding.
•  2 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 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 fight our battles.’ And the people gained confidence from what Hezekiah the king of Judah said.”

*Realize our identity is rooted in our faith not our circumstances.

*Return our priorities to the LORD and not unworthy substances.

*Recognize our battles belong to God not the flesh.

*Resist substituting security for eternal significance.  

Near the end of his life, Hezekiah becomes deathly sick. Isaiah speaks God’s words that we all fear: 2 Kings 20:1 “Thus says the Lord, ‘Set your house in order, for you shall die; you shall not recover.’ ”

> What do you want others to say about your life at your memorial?

> How do you want to be remembered? Do you want your legacy to be fought over, rust and disintegrate, fading into ashes; or do you want to leave a legacy that is tested by fire to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, unfading, and kept in heaven for you (cf. 1 Pet 1:4-7)?

Hezekiah will pray for the LORD’s healing hand upon his frail body. And graciously, God will alleviate Hezekiah’s illness. He’ll live for another 15-years. But he gets overconfident and presumes upon God’s protection. Hezekiah invites the Babylonians into his city to tour their nation’s treasure, sightsee the military storehouses. “There was nothing in his house or in all his realm that Hezekiah did not show them.” (2Ki 20:13)

And the LORD contested through Isaiah: ¹⁷ Behold, the days are coming, when all that is in your house, and that which your fathers have stored up till this day, shall be carried to Babylon. Nothing shall be left, says the Lord. ¹⁸ And some of your own sons, who will come from you, whom you will father, shall be taken away, and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.”

This should have sobered Hezekiah from unhealthy self-sufficiency and perils of pride. Yet, like many politicians, Hezekiah was content with short-term success at the expense of long-term strength. God’s people had escaped the Assyrian army but their spiritual complacency discounted God’s discipline through the Babylonian empire. Just because God answers your prayers doesn’t mean He’s not also setting you up to be pruned and purified.

¹⁹ Then Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “The word of the Lord that you have spoken is good.” For he thought, “Why not, if there will be peace and security in my days?”

> Where are you content for short-term success at the expense of long-term strength?

APPLY/TAKEAWAY

One last truth: If we’re comfortable with the world we’ll be uncomfortable in eternity. America’s antidote isn’t safety. Our nation’s significance is in its willingness to sacrifice for others to know the joy of freedom and the peace that comes from above, not within.

---

[1] https://studentsforlife.org/2024/08/06/almost-aborted-makes-huge-splash-starting-conversations-and-changing-minds-here-are-the-deets/

[2] https://www.ocf.net/icons-are-not-idols/ https://a-e-m.org/art-does-not-cause-idolatry/ / https://in.thegospelcoalition.org/article/how-art-can-draw-us-into-gods-presence/