Topical Bible: Confidence: Hezekiah

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Hezekiah, the son of Ahaz and the 13th king of Judah, is a prominent biblical figure known for his unwavering confidence in God. His reign, which is detailed in 2 Kings 18-20, 2 Chronicles 29-32, and Isaiah 36-39, is marked by significant religious reforms and a steadfast trust in the Lord during times of national crisis.

Religious Reforms and Trust in God

Hezekiah ascended to the throne of Judah at the age of 25 and reigned for 29 years. His reign is characterized by a return to the worship of Yahweh and the removal of idolatrous practices introduced by his predecessors. Hezekiah's confidence in God is evident in his efforts to restore the temple, reinstate the Passover, and destroy the high places, sacred stones, and Asherah poles (2 Kings 18:4-6). The Berean Standard Bible states, "Hezekiah trusted in the LORD, the God of Israel. No king of Judah was like him, either before him or after him" (2 Kings 18:5).

The Assyrian Threat

One of the most significant demonstrations of Hezekiah's confidence in God occurred during the Assyrian invasion led by King Sennacherib. The Assyrian army, known for its might and brutality, laid siege to Jerusalem. In response, Hezekiah sought the counsel of the prophet Isaiah and turned to God in prayer. Hezekiah's prayer, recorded in 2 Kings 19:15-19, reflects his deep reliance on God for deliverance: "O LORD, God of Israel, enthroned above the cherubim, You alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You made the heavens and the earth" (2 Kings 19:15).

God's response to Hezekiah's prayer was swift and decisive. Through the prophet Isaiah, God assured Hezekiah that the Assyrian king would not enter Jerusalem. That night, the angel of the LORD struck down 185,000 Assyrian soldiers, forcing Sennacherib to withdraw (2 Kings 19:35-36). This miraculous deliverance underscored Hezekiah's confidence in God's power and faithfulness.

Hezekiah's Illness and Recovery

Another instance of Hezekiah's confidence in God is seen in his response to a life-threatening illness. The prophet Isaiah informed Hezekiah that he would not recover, but Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed earnestly to the LORD, reminding God of his faithfulness and wholehearted devotion (2 Kings 20:2-3). God heard Hezekiah's prayer and granted him an additional fifteen years of life, confirming this promise with the miraculous sign of the sun's shadow moving backward (2 Kings 20:5-11).

Legacy of Confidence

Hezekiah's life and reign serve as a testament to the power of confidence in God. His unwavering trust in the LORD during times of reform, military threat, and personal crisis exemplifies the biblical principle that faith in God can lead to divine intervention and deliverance. Hezekiah's account encourages believers to place their confidence in God, regardless of the challenges they face, trusting in His sovereignty and faithfulness.

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Isaiah 22:11
You made also a ditch between the two walls for the water of the old pool: but you have not looked to the maker thereof, neither had respect to him that fashioned it long ago.
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Library

Hezekiah, a Pattern of Devout Life
... our knowledge into faith, and rely with simple, absolute confidence on Him whose
name we know in Christ more fully and blessedly than was possible to Hezekiah. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/hezekiah a pattern of devout.htm

Hezekiah
... "Hezekiah rejoiced, and all the people, that God had prepared the people: for ... have
deeply revolted." Isaiah 31:6. Hear Micah declaring with confidence: "I will ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 28 hezekiah.htm

Where to Carry Troubles
... If we are living in touch with God, we cannot but take Him into our confidence,
if we may so say, as to ... Note Hezekiah's assurance that God cares about him. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/where to carry troubles.htm

The Ambassadors from Babylon
... of God in a time of apostasy and discouragement as had Hezekiah. The dying ruler
had served his God faithfully, and had strengthened the confidence of the ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 29 the ambassadors from.htm

The Triumph of Faith
... Rabshakeh had derided the obstinate confidence in Jehovah, which kept these ... Barbarous
names are flourished in Hezekiah's face, and their wasted dominions are ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/the triumph of faith.htm

Prayer and Obedience (Continued)
... enabled Him to draw near to the throne of grace with unbounded confidence, born
of ... In the instance of King Hezekiah, it was a potent plea which changed God's ...
/.../bounds/the necessity of prayer/x prayer and obedience continued.htm

The Kingdom of Judah.
... These prophets destroyed confidence in the message of true prophets and brought
about a time when the voice of ... (4) A new revival under Hezekiah, who introduced ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter xiv the kingdom of.htm

'He Uttered his Voice, the Earth Melted'
... miles which he had trodden before with such insolent confidence of victory. ... from
Sennacherib to speak comfortably to Jerusalem, addressing Hezekiah first, but ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/he uttered his voice the.htm

A Loving Call to Reunion
... It is to be observed that Hezekiah took his subjects into counsel, since the ... son
is he whom the father chasteneth not?' But strong, sunny confidence in God ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/a loving call to reunion.htm

Deliverance from Assyria
... "Speak ye now to Hezekiah," said Rabshakeh, one of Sennacherib's chief officers,
"Thus saith the great king, the king of Assyria, What confidence is this ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 30 deliverance from assyria.htm