2 Kings 18
Hezekiah is one of the more well known kings of Judah. He was a
godly king who brought reform to the people. He personally held
fast to the Lord 3-6 and was successful 7. By way of contrast
Israel in the North fell to Assyria because of their sins 9-12.
Judah, however, was not perfect for they also worshiped at the high
places ans mingled paganism in with the worship of the Lord.
Hezekiah had to 'strip off' the gold that covered the doors of the
temple to pay tribute to a foreign king 13-16. Two notes: Just
because a nation has a godly leader, this does not mean that the
people of the nation will be godly. We can not place our hopes in
any earthly leader. Second, sin always exacts a cost and takes all
that we have, even things which are rightfully the Lord's.
Sennacherib, king of Assyria threatens Hezekiah and the Jews. He,
like Satan tries to puts doubts in the minds of the people so that
they will not look to the Lord17-30 Note: Sennacherib, like the
devil, promises good things, just like the Lord offers if we submit
to his rule 31-32. In wisdom, the leaders say nothing in reply to
these threats 36-37.
2 Kings 19
Hezekiah's response to this is to humbly seek the Lord 1-2. He
seeks the Lord and counsel from Him through Isaiah, the prophet
2-4. The Lord reassures Hezekiah of victory that He, Himself
was going to bring about 5-7. This word from God is challenged by
Sennacherib in a letter 8-14a. Note: The devil always challenges
the Word of God. Hezekiah's response was to go to the Lord in
prayer and pleads the case in light of God's honor and glory 14-19.
Note: How much of may prayer and requests focus on the Lord and His
glory being made known ?The Lord sends His response through Isaiah
in 20-34. The Lord will bring about His plans and will judge the
'arrogance' of all who boast against Him 25,27,28. He will
vindicate His people and those who know Him 31,34. The Lord slays
185,000 Assyrians in one night, by one angel 35. Note: No one can
stand against the Lord, the Almighty ! Sennacherib returns to his
land and is killed 36-37. Note: Where is his boasting now ?
2 Kings 20
Hezekiah becomes ill and is told he will die, so get ready 1. He
cries and prays and the Lord adds to his life 15 years, even giving
him a sign to affirm the promise 2-11. Note: One must ask why he
was so desirous of holding on to this life, especially since the
Lord gave him time to prepare to exit this life and enter eternity
? Do you and I long for heaven to be with the Lord (see:
Philippians 1:23). Hezekiah's extended life resulted in his foolish
actions that brought the judgment of the Lord. 12-18. His reply
was, (paraphrased), 'well at least I'll have a peaceful life'
19 what ?? Note: the tunnel he built to bring water into the city
is still there to this day 20. It was quite an undertaking as they
dug from both ends of the hills and met only being a few feet off
from each other. Praise God ! (18:7).
2 Kings 21
Manasseh was the total opposite of Hezekiah in terms of his
relationship to the Lord. Manasseh was ungodly and wicked. He
rebuilt the pagan altars that his father had taken down. He
introduced Baal worship, set up altars in the temple and even
sacrificed his own son 1-7. He totally rejected the words of the
Lord and led the people astray 8-9. Note: Wicked leaders in our day
are nothing new. When one rejects the Lord and lives according to
his/her own 'beliefs' and agendas we can not expect good and
righteous leadership, law, or policy. This moved the Lord to bring
judgment upon the kingdom of Judah, as foretold by the prophets
10-15. Manasseh shed much innocent blood also 16. He died and was
buried in his palace garden 18. Amon, his son becomes king, His
reign is short lived because he is assassinated 19-25. He likewise
forsook the Lord 22. Note: Each person has a choice to make, either
to follow the Lord and obey His word or to reject Him, live an
ungodly, selfish life and await God's judgment. Choose you this
day, whom you will serve ?
2 Kings 22
Josiah was a godly king who came from the previous ungodly kings
1-2. He desired to repaire the temple of the Lord 3-7. The Book of
the Law was found in the temple 8. Note: Where had it been for all
this years ? This just shows that when God's Word (The Bible) is
set aside or minimized God's people become corrupted with sin and
adopt the practices of the world that does not know God. (Look at
the actions of the kings and people during this period in their
history). Josiah upon hearing the words of the Lord (law) tore his
clothes in grief and fears the Lord and His righteous jugement
which they deserve 9-13. Through the prophetess Huldah, the Lord
tells of the disaster He will bring on His people because of their
sins. 14-18. Josiah would be spared seeing this happen 19-20. Note:
God is pleased when individuals respond to Him (and His word) with
true humility and brokeness over their sin and guilt. Only the Lord
can forgive and grant mercy in the face of our deserved judgment (1
John 1:9).
2 Kings 23
Although the judgment of God is foretold, Josiah still calls all
the kingdom to repentance before the Lord. In light of God's
judgment, Josiah has the book of the Law read in the hearing of the
people and commits himself to follow the word of the Lord with all
his heart and soul 1-3. Josiah also takes serious the removal and
destruction of all the shrines, altars, and high places where the
false/pagan gods were worshiped 4-15. Note: Why are so few of God's
people (Christian's today) so this zealous for God. I am sure that
destroying all these things was viewed as a waste and a bit
excessive by many. Note: Josiah was so intense in dealing with sin
that he did not leave a trace of these false shines and altars 15.
Note: True revival involves repentance (turning from all sin) and
brokenness over sin. It also moves one to seek the Lord with the
goal (above all else) to obey Him. Do we really want revival in our
own hearts and in our churches ? It will require turning from our
sin and turning, wholeheartedly, to the Lord. Note: The sin of one
can effect many for years to come 13. The Lord fulfilled His word,
even though many years had passed. Time does not weaken or lessen
the surety of God's Word. He commands and it will come to pass !
16-18. Not only is the corruption removed, but obedience to the
Lord word is pursued as the Passover is kept 19-24. He was noted as
wholeheartedly given to the Lord 25. As godly as he was, and as
through as his reforms were, the judgment of God would still fall
on the nation of Judah 26-27. This was no doubt, because the people
were superficial in their repentance and quickly returned to their
own sinful ways. Josiah is killed in battle and buried in Jerusalem
28-30. Jehoahaz becomes king after him and does evil in the eyes of
the Lord 31-32. He is bound by Pharaoh Neco and Eliakim (renamed
Jehoiakim) is made king 33-34. The people are forced to pay tribute
to the king of Egypt 35. Note: The final corruption that sin brings
is bondage, from which there is no deliverance. Sin always costs
and exacts a price. Note: Everyone in this world is born into the
bondage of sin and under the 'rule' of the god of this world
(Satan). Only Jesus Christ and His Gospel offer true hope for those
enslaved (Acts 26:16-18)
2 Kings 24
Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon comes against Judah and Jehoiakim
becomes his vassal. All this trouble and bondage comes from the
Lord upon His people for their sins and the innocent blood shed in
the land 1-7. Note: The Lord will judge all people and nations for
their sins, especially the shedding of innocent blood. It is a
sobering thought that we are ripe for God's judgment upon us as
nation. For we have done the same things as Judah of old, even
worse. Jehoiachin becomes king and does evil 8-9. Nebuchadnezzar
comes against Jerusalem and takes officials and nobles captive to
Babylon 10-16. This was all in keeping with the word of the Lord
13a,19. Zedekiah reigns for eleven years then rebels 20b.
2 Kings 25
Nebuchadnezzar again marches against Jerusalem and Zedekiah is
blinded and taken captive in chains to Babylon after his sons are
killed before him 1-7. All this comes upon God's people because of
persistence in sin and the failure to repent. The temple, palace,
and other building are burned down. The wall is also broken down
8-10. The people are taken captive to Babylon and are in exile from
the land God had given them 11. All that the Babylonians took from
the temple is recorded 13-17. The priests and some officials are
taken and executed 18-21. Gedaliah is made governor over the land
but is assassinated along with some others 22-25. The people left,
flee to Egypt 26. Note: The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23a)
and the record of the kings comes to a close with the 'death' of
the Jewish nation and kingdom. Though not destroyed or replaced the
Jews are exiled from their God-given land. The Biblical record
shows that God still has a purpose for these, His chosen people,
that will be realized in the first and second coming of Christ.
Note: The book closes with Jehoiachin being freed and provided for
at the king's table in Babylon 27-30. This is a picture of God's
grace being shown to him even in exile. I wonder if Jehoiachin
realized this and turned to the Lord in repentance for the saving
of his own soul ? (Romans 2:4). What about you and me. Do we
realize the kindness of God in our lives and turn to Him in
repentance and faith for Him to save us ? By all means do !