Bible Reading
2 Kings 18:1-5 “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. 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). He trusted in the Lord, the God of Israel, so that there was none like him among all the kings of Judah after him, nor among those who were before him.”
[48:48]2 Kings 19:14-19 “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. 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. 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. Truly, O Lord, the kings of Assyria have laid waste the nations and their lands 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. 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.”
[58:30]2 Kings 20:1-6 “In those days Hezekiah became sick and was at the point of death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came to him and said to him, "Thus says the Lord, 'Set your house in order, for you shall die; you shall not recover.'" Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord, saying, "Now, O Lord, please remember how I have walked before you in faithfulness and with a whole heart, and have done what is good in your sight." And Hezekiah wept bitterly. And before Isaiah had gone out of the middle court, the word of the Lord came to him: "Turn back, and say to Hezekiah the leader of my people, Thus says the Lord, the God of David your father: I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Behold, I will heal you. On the third day you shall go up to the house of the Lord, and I will add fifteen years to your life. I will deliver you and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria, and I will defend this city for my own sake and for my servant David's sake.”
[01:06:38]Observation questions
- What actions did Hezekiah take to remove idolatry from Judah, and what does the passage say about his trust in the Lord? [50:26]
- What had the bronze serpent originally been used for, and what were the people doing with it in Hezekiah’s day? [52:46]
- In Hezekiah’s prayer when Assyria surrounded Jerusalem, what truths did he first declare about God before making his request? [01:00:37]
- When Hezekiah received the message that he would die, how did he respond, and how did God respond to his prayer and tears? [01:09:46]
Interpretation questions
- Why was destroying the bronze serpent an act of faith rather than a rejection of God’s past work through Moses? What does this show about the difference between honoring God’s gifts and worshiping them? [54:35]
- Hezekiah named the real strength and destruction of Assyria rather than pretending the danger was small. Why is it important for a believer to be honest with God about overwhelming circumstances? [01:01:50]
- Hezekiah asked God to save Jerusalem so that the nations would know that the Lord alone is God. How does that purpose reshape the way a believer asks for help in a crisis? [01:03:38]
- Hezekiah had trusted God through invasion and illness, yet later displayed all his wealth to Babylon’s envoys. What does his later failure reveal about how pride can grow after seasons of blessing, success, or relief? [01:12:25]
Application questions
- What good gift in your life—such as family, health, work, comfort, possessions, ministry, or even a spiritual habit—could quietly become too important? What would it look like to receive that gift with gratitude while keeping God first? [54:46]
- When you face something that feels bigger than you can handle, what is your usual first response: control, avoidance, worry, seeking advice, or prayer? How could you follow Hezekiah’s example of bringing the real problem before God? [58:58]
- Hezekiah began his prayer by remembering that God is King over every kingdom and Creator of heaven and earth. What fear or pressure in your life needs to be viewed again in light of God’s rule? [01:00:37]
- Is there a burden, loss, illness, or unanswered question that you have been hesitant to bring honestly before God? What might it look like to pour out your heart to him while still trusting his wisdom? [01:09:12]
- Where are you most tempted to take credit for what God has given or done—your background, appearance, position, abilities, possessions, health, or spiritual reputation? How can gratitude help turn your attention from yourself back to God? [01:14:13]
- God’s people are called to remember their deliverance from slavery in Egypt and from sin through Christ. What practices help you remember Christ’s death and resurrection when fear, pride, or discouragement begins to take over? [01:24:06]
