Topical Bible: Diligence: Hezekiah

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Hezekiah, the son of Ahaz, was the 13th king of Judah and reigned from approximately 715 to 686 BC. His reign is noted for significant religious reforms and a return to the worship of Yahweh, the God of Israel. Hezekiah's life and actions are chronicled in several books of the Bible, including 2 Kings, 2 Chronicles, and Isaiah. His account is a testament to the power of diligence in leadership and faith.

Religious Reforms and Diligence in Worship

Hezekiah's diligence is most evident in his commitment to restoring proper worship in Judah. Upon ascending to the throne, he immediately set about purifying the temple and reinstating the Levitical priesthood. In 2 Chronicles 29:3-5 , it is recorded, "In the first month of the first year of his reign, he opened the doors of the house of the LORD and repaired them. Then he brought in the priests and Levites, gathered them in the square on the east side, and said to them, 'Listen to me, Levites. Consecrate yourselves now and consecrate the house of the LORD, the God of your fathers. Remove all the defilement from the sanctuary.'"

Hezekiah's reforms were not limited to the temple. He also reinstated the observance of the Passover, which had been neglected. His diligence in this matter is highlighted in 2 Chronicles 30:1 : "Then Hezekiah sent word throughout all Israel and Judah, and he also wrote letters to Ephraim and Manasseh, inviting them to come to the house of the LORD in Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover to the LORD, the God of Israel."

Diligence in Leadership and Governance

Hezekiah's diligence extended beyond religious reforms to include the fortification of Jerusalem and the improvement of the kingdom's infrastructure. He is credited with constructing the Siloam Tunnel, an impressive engineering feat that secured a water supply for Jerusalem during times of siege. This project is mentioned in 2 Kings 20:20 : "As for the rest of the acts of Hezekiah, along with all his might and how he made the pool and the tunnel to bring water into the city, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah?"

His leadership was marked by a steadfast reliance on God, especially during the Assyrian threat under King Sennacherib. Hezekiah's prayerful diligence is recorded in 2 Kings 19:14-19 , where he seeks divine intervention against the Assyrian army. His faith and diligence were rewarded when the angel of the LORD struck down 185,000 Assyrian soldiers, as noted in 2 Kings 19:35 .

Diligence in Personal Faith

Hezekiah's personal faith and diligence in seeking God are further exemplified in his response to illness. When the prophet Isaiah informed him of his impending death, Hezekiah turned to God in prayer. 2 Kings 20:2-3 states, "Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD, saying, 'Please, O LORD, remember how I have walked before You faithfully and with wholehearted devotion; I have done what is good in Your sight.' And Hezekiah wept bitterly." In response to his earnest prayer, God granted him an additional fifteen years of life.

Legacy of Diligence

Hezekiah's reign is often viewed as a high point in the history of Judah, characterized by his unwavering diligence in both spiritual and temporal matters. His efforts to restore true worship and strengthen the nation left a lasting impact on the people of Judah. His life serves as an enduring example of how diligence, coupled with faith, can lead to divine favor and national renewal.

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2 Chronicles 31:21
And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, and in the law, and in the commandments, to seek his God, he did it with all his heart, and prospered.
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Library

How Manasseh Reigned after Hezekiah; and How when He was in ...
... 1. When king Hezekiah had survived the interval of time already mentioned, and had
dwelt ... he did not only repair the old walls with great diligence, but added ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 3 how manasseh reigned.htm

Introduction
... It was the pride of Hezekiah's heart that made him lie in the dust ... Thirdly, Point
out those seasons which especially call for this diligence in keeping the heart ...
//christianbookshelf.org/flavel/on keeping the heart/introduction.htm

Secondly, to Assign Some Reasons Why Christians must Make this the ...
... is true, there is great difference between Christians themselves in their diligence
and dexterity ... If with Hezekiah thou art humbled for the evils of thy heart ...
/.../flavel/on keeping the heart/secondly to assign some reasons.htm

Demonstration xxi. --Of Persecution.
... Hezekiah, after the prolongation of his life, death was given dominion over him;
but Jesus ... They sealed the pit of Daniel, and guarded it with diligence; and the ...
/.../aphrahat/aphrahat select demonstrations/demonstration xxi of persecution.htm

First, I am to Consider what the Keeping of the Heart Supposes and ...
... the heart, which is nothing but the constant care and diligence of such ... includes
deep humiliation for heart evils and disorders; thus Hezekiah humbled himself ...
//christianbookshelf.org/flavel/on keeping the heart/first i am to consider.htm

The First Season
... Now, Christian, keep thy heart with all diligence; for it will be very apt to ... is
one of the greatest rarities in the world." Even a good Hezekiah could not ...
//christianbookshelf.org/flavel/on keeping the heart/i the first season.htm

The Third Season
... calling for more than ordinary diligence to keep the heart is the time of Zion's
troubles. ... This very consideration quieted Job, Eli, David, and Hezekiah. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/flavel/on keeping the heart/iii the third season.htm

July 10 Evening
... the Lord."In every work that [Hezekiah] began . . . to seek his God, he did it with
all his heart, and prospered. Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out ...
/.../anonymous/daily light on the daily path/july 10 evening.htm

Letter v. Prayer and Fasting.
... Hezekiah prayed, and the angel of the Lord entered the camp of the invader, and
in ... to labor for his own profit whatever time he could gain by extra diligence. ...
/.../letter v prayer and fasting.htm

The Fifth Commandment
... Such nursing fathers were David, Hezekiah, Josiah, Constantine, and Theodosius. ... painted
a servant with his hands full of tools, as an emblem of diligence. ...
/.../watson/the ten commandments/2 5 the fifth commandment.htm