Topical Encyclopedia Introduction:Ezecias, more commonly known as Hezekiah, was the 13th king of Judah and is recognized for his religious reforms and efforts to restore the worship of Yahweh. His reign is documented in the books of 2 Kings, 2 Chronicles, and Isaiah. Hezekiah is noted for his faithfulness to God, his efforts to centralize worship in Jerusalem, and his resistance against Assyrian domination. Historical Context: Hezekiah reigned during a tumultuous period in Judah's history, approximately from 715 to 686 BC. He was the son of King Ahaz and ascended to the throne at the age of 25. His reign is marked by significant political and religious challenges, including the threat from the Assyrian Empire, which had already conquered the northern kingdom of Israel. Religious Reforms: One of Hezekiah's most significant contributions was his religious reforms aimed at purifying the worship practices in Judah. He is credited with removing high places, smashing sacred stones, and cutting down Asherah poles. He also destroyed the bronze serpent that Moses had made, as it had become an object of idolatrous worship (2 Kings 18:4). Hezekiah's reforms were a return to the covenantal faithfulness expected by Yahweh, as described in the Mosaic Law. Centralization of Worship: Hezekiah sought to centralize worship in Jerusalem, emphasizing the temple as the sole place of legitimate worship. This was in accordance with Deuteronomic law, which prescribed a single place of worship for the Israelites. Hezekiah's efforts included the restoration of the temple and the reinstitution of the Passover, which had not been observed on such a scale since the days of Solomon (2 Chronicles 30:26). Political and Military Actions: Hezekiah's reign was also marked by his resistance to Assyrian domination. Initially, he paid tribute to Assyria, but later he rebelled against King Sennacherib. The Assyrian king responded by invading Judah and laying siege to Jerusalem. In a moment of crisis, Hezekiah sought the counsel of the prophet Isaiah and turned to God in prayer. The Bible records that God miraculously delivered Jerusalem by sending an angel who struck down 185,000 Assyrian soldiers (2 Kings 19:35). Hezekiah's Illness and Recovery: Hezekiah's life was also marked by a personal crisis when he fell gravely ill. The prophet Isaiah informed him that he would not recover, but Hezekiah prayed earnestly to God. In response, God granted him an additional 15 years of life and provided a sign by making the shadow on the sundial go backward (2 Kings 20:1-11). Legacy: Hezekiah is remembered as one of Judah's most faithful kings, whose trust in God brought about significant religious renewal and divine deliverance. His reign is often contrasted with that of his father, Ahaz, and his son, Manasseh, both of whom led Judah into idolatry. Hezekiah's account serves as a testament to the power of faith and prayer in the face of overwhelming odds. Biblical References: · 2 Kings 18-20 · 2 Chronicles 29-32 · Isaiah 36-39 Key Verses: · "Hezekiah trusted in the LORD, the God of Israel. No king of Judah was like him, either before him or after him. He held fast to the LORD and did not cease to follow Him; he kept the commandments that the LORD had given Moses." (2 Kings 18:5-6) · "In those days Hezekiah became mortally ill. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz came to him and said, 'This is what the LORD says: Put your house in order, for you are about to die; you will not recover.'" (2 Kings 20:1) International Standard Bible Encyclopedia EZECHIAS; EZECIASez-e-ki'-as, ez-e-si'-as. Thesaurus Ezecias... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia EZECHIAS; EZECIAS. ez-e-ki'-as, ez-e-si'-as. See EZEKIAS (3). ... /e/ezecias.htm - 6k Ezechias Ezekias (2 Occurrences) Hilkiah (31 Occurrences) Resources Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
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