Douglas Jacoby Podcast

OT Characters: Hezekiah

Episode Summary

Douglas continues his series on Old Testament Characters now exploring the story of Hezekiah. Douglas shares what we can learn from Hezekiah’s life as well as what we can learn about God from his story. He also shares ideas for how to share this story with your kids.

Episode Notes

For additional notes and resources check out Douglas' website.

Hebrew words:

• Chizqiyyah, Chizqiyyahu, Yechizqiyya, or Yechizqiyyahu (Hezekiah) -- “Yah has strengthened”

About 125x in the Bible

Further study:

• Passages covered in this podcast:
  • 2 Kings 18-20
  • Referred to in passing: 2 Kings 16:20; Numbers 21:4-9; 2 Chronicles 16:12; Judges 6, Isaiah 7, Matthew 4;
• Further:
  • Parallel accounts: 2 Chronicles 29-32 and Isaiah 36-39
  • Hezekiah is also mentioned in the Assyrian records. Read the account from the Sennacherib Prism (701 BC).
  • See also the Assyrian reliefs from the siege of Lachish, after whose conquest Jerusalem became the next target. Click here.
  • Read the Passover passage in 2 Chronicles 30:1-20. What do we learn about God in this passage? about his grace? his willingness to make exceptions?

Some things we learn about God:

• When we trust and obey, God prepares us for significant service.
• God is concerned for his honor. To him (alone) is the glory.
• Sometimes God heals through physicians. Such recoveries are no less answered prayers simply because medicine is involved!
• The Lord gives those who trust him comfort and direction, through spiritual men and women of God.
• God responds to heartfelt prayer.

For kids: You will find an interesting Bible lesson on Hezekiah here.

Key verses:

• 2 Kings 18:2 --  Becomes king at age 25.
• 2 Kings 19:1 -- Responds penitently when Jerusalem is threatened by the Assyrians.
• 2 Kings 19:14ff, 20:2ff -- He prayers sincerely and expressively.
• 2 Kings 20:6 -- The Lord adds 15 years to his life. He dies (v.21) at age 54.
• 2 Kings 20:19 -- Despite his strong walk with the Lord, Hezekiah shows a certain complacency.

P.S. This lesson was prerecorded. (I didn't record during our wedding anniversary celebration!)

Next lesson: Manasseh.