He removed the high places, and brake the images, and cut down the groves, and brake in pieces the brazen serpent that Moses had made: for unto those days the children of Israel did burn incense to it: and he called it Nehushtan. 2 Kings 18:4
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 message 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 begun 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 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). (Prophets and Kings, 331)
Reflection: Let us be like Hezekiah, a man of opportunity. He did not wait around to do that which needed to be done right away. Many times waiting only makes it more difficult to carry out the necessary duty. Today, let us promptly obey the Lord.
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 message 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 begun 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 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). (Prophets and Kings, 331)
Reflection: Let us be like Hezekiah, a man of opportunity. He did not wait around to do that which needed to be done right away. Many times waiting only makes it more difficult to carry out the necessary duty. Today, let us promptly obey the Lord.
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