Chapter 28—Hezekiah
In sharp contrast with the reckless rule of Ahaz was the reformation
wrought during the prosperous reign of his son. Hezekiah came to
the throne determined to do all in his power to save Judah from the
fate that was overtaking the northern kingdom. The messages of the
prophets offered no encouragement to halfway measures. Only by
most decided reformation could the threatened judgments be averted.
In the crisis, Hezekiah proved to be a man of opportunity. No
sooner had he ascended the throne than he began to plan and to execute.
He first turned his attention to the restoration of the temple services, so
long neglected; and in this work he earnestly solicited the co-operation
of a band of priests and Levites who had remained true to their sacred
calling. Confident of their loyal support, he spoke with them freely
concerning his desire to institute immediate and far-reaching reforms.
“Our fathers have trespassed,” he confessed, “and done that which was
evil in the eyes of the Lord our God, and have forsaken Him, and have
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turned away their faces from the habitation of the Lord.” “Now it is in
mine heart to make a covenant with the Lord God of Israel, that His
fierce wrath may turn away from us.”
2 Chronicles 29:6, 10
.
In a few well-chosen words the king reviewed the situation they
were facing—the closed temple and the cessation of all services within
its precincts; the flagrant idolatry practiced in the streets of the city
and throughout the kingdom; the apostasy of multitudes who might
have remained true to God had the leaders in Judah set before them
a right example; and the decline of the kingdom and loss of prestige
in the estimation of surrounding nations. The northern kingdom was
rapidly crumbling to pieces; many were perishing by the sword; a
multitude had already been carried away captive; soon Israel would
fall completely into the hands of the Assyrians, and be utterly ruined;
and this fate would surely befall Judah as well, unless God should
work mightily through chosen representatives.
Hezekiah appealed directly to the priests to unite with him in
bringing about the necessary reforms. “Be not now negligent,” he
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