Rebuild & Renew: Post-Exilic Books Click here to subscribe! King Hezekiah was a very good king. It was no shame to cry when under stress. 2 Peter, Jude Apostle Paul He went before the Lord in prayer and followed the Lords commands. This corresponds to the magnificent opening of the Lord's Prayer, "Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name." (2 Kings 20:2-3), Standard Abbreviations https://www.jesuswalk.com/greatprayers/refs.htm. The angel of the LORD killed 185,000 Assyrians that night (2 Kings 19:35) and those who remained, including Sennacherib, withdrew in defeat to Nineveh the next morning. The Early Church Hezekiah needed to name a successor so leadership would pass to another at his death without palace intrigues and unnecessary disruption to the kingdom. I am troubled: O Lord, come to my aid! GOD GIVES INSTRUCTIONS FOR HEALING AND EXPECTS US. Tell the story using a printed flip chart. 33 By the way that he came he will return; he will not enter this city, declares the LORD. In 2 Kings 18:1-8, the following is said of him. Neither God nor the prophet was angry when Hezekiah asked for a sign. 15 And Hezekiah prayed to the LORD: O LORD, God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim, you alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. To save items to a SermonFolder, please sign in to your account. He went to Hezekiah and told him the good news. This is God's insult and demand's God's response. Anticipating conflict with Assyria, Hezekiah had taken a number of steps: The Assyrian armies crushed the rebels in Phoenicia and the Philistine coastal cities. Such a beautiful Mass and amazing turnout. Go outside and experiment with shadows and talk about how it was a miracle that God changed the shadow. If possible, make arrangements with the childrens ward of the hospital to donate items that your class prepares. I will defendthis city for my sake and for the sake of my servant David.. When Hezekiah prayed for a longer life, what answer did the Lord give him? I've heard people accuse Hezekiah of selfishness in his prayer 8Hezekiah had asked Isaiah, What will be the sign that theLordwill heal me and that I will go up to the temple of theLordon the third day from now?, 9Isaiah answered, This is theLords signto you that theLordwill do what he has promised: Shall the shadow go forward ten steps, or shall it go back ten steps?, 10It is a simplematter for the shadow to go forward ten steps, said Hezekiah. And Hezekiah prayed to the LORD: "O LORD of hosts, 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. The basis of Hezekiah's appeal is that God be seen by the According to Pliny, figs were used for the cure of ulcers.11Did the poultice of figs cure Hezekiah? Writing your prayer requests before God is a great idea for 2 reasons: a. Hezekiah hadn't asked for healing, Manasseh would never have been Jesus answered, Neither this man nor his parents sinned but that the works of God should be revealed in him. In verses 17-18 he prays, It is true, O LORD, that the Assyrian kings have laid waste these nations and their lands. Hezekiah knew he was out of his league facing the Assyrians. 2 Corinthians To abstain from medicine like some extreme teaching is not scriptural at all. 12At that time Marduk-Baladan son of Baladan king of Babylon sent Hezekiah letters and a gift, because he had heard of Hezekiahs illness. Be careful what you pray for! God chose to answer Hezekiah's prayer and to bless him during The Lord surely did glorify himself in answering Hezekiah's prayer. On the third day from now you will go up to the temple of the LORD. Rather, have it go back ten steps.. After Isaiah applied to a simple poultice, the king recovered (2 Kings 20:5-7). The prophet Isaiah came and pronounced his sickness was unto death. No, you withhold everything except the necessities so your actions aren't construed as rewarding disobedience. In this instance, the answer was immediate. Reopening the temple, which had been closed by his father, repairing it, and reorganizing its services, priests, and Levites (2 Chronicles 31:11-21). He took the letter, went to the house of the Lord, and spread it out before Him. Jacob The Lord said to Isaiah, Tell Hezekiah that I have heard his prayer, and I will heal him. 18 They have thrown their gods into the fire and destroyed them, for they were not gods but only wood and stone, fashioned by mens hands. In the 15 years after his illness, Hezekiah fathered the heir to his throne, Manasseh. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz went to him and said, This is what theLordsays: Put your house in order, because you are going to die; you will not recover.. Assyrian records . And Hezekiah wept bitterly. We can trust our prayers What sign did the Lord give Hezekiah to show that he would get well? Daniel Explain that 2 Kings 18-20 records the challenges and fears of Hezekiah, the king of the Southern Kingdom of Judah. Give ear, O Lord, and hear; open your eyes, O LORD, and see; listen to the words Sennacherib has sent to insult the living God.'" 7Then Isaiah said, Prepare a poultice of figs. They did so and applied it to the boil,and he recovered. King Hezekiahs prayer for healing is a scripture that can help you pray for healing for yourself. 4. THE COMMITMENT OF HEZEKIAH A LESSON TO BELIEVERS . See legal, copyright, and reprint information. Such a short, simple prayer certainly had a remarkable result. Isaiah barely walked to the middle of the courts before he had to return to give the prophetic word that God was going to heal Hezekiah. Abraham Hezekiah had great wealth and honor from the Lord, and God had given him great success (2 Chronicles 32:27-30); but God decided to test his servantto know everything that was in his heart (2 Chronicles 32:31). I love the imagery here in this prayer story of Hezekiah. 19Now, O LORD our God, deliver us from his hand, so that all kingdoms on earth may know that you alone, O LORD, are God. Voices in the culture can confuse or misdirect us from Gods will, but His Word is wisdom for us, and we must seek the Lord in prayer to be grounded and built up in Him (Psalm 19:7; 2 Timothy 3:15-16; Colossians 2:7). He has spoken to me, and he himself has done this. During his reign, the ruthless Assyrian empire conquered many nations. He brought immorality back to Judah, promoted the worship of pagan gods, and Jewish tradition says he even may have murdered Hezekiahs long-time friend, Isaiah. Join our email list. All Rights Reserved. John's Letters for healing. Great Prayers Isa 53:5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities, The chastisement for our peace was upon Him and by His stripes we are healed. the fortress city of Jerusalem, high on the mountain chain that Isaiah told him Sennacherib would hear a rumor and return to his own land where he would die by the sword (2 Kings 19:6-7). The Lord sent the prophet Isaiah to Hezekiah to give him the message that he was about to die. He said, Give ear, O LORD, and hear; open your eyes, O LORD Hezekiah had the kind of relationship with God where it wasnt a surprise when Hezekiah showed up to pray. Not long after his healing, he made a foolish choice. God provides healing through the cross. May these prayers for safety bring you comfort and peace of mind. Mark Hezekiah only was concerned about peace and safety during his own lifetime (2 Kings 20:19). 3. You may not be a king, but you have influence important to the kingdom. Then look at how Hezekiah approached God's throne in prayer: 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. James This led to Hezekiah pleading for his life. of this time period are confusing,1here is the gist of what God gave specific instructions for healing. 1 Corinthians He wanted the Lord to give him a longer life. Erase one word and have the class repeat it together again. by our knowledge this side of the cross. talked about a righteous life. He reasoned with the Lord, reminding Him of all the good he had accomplished in faith and obedience to Him during his reign. Hezekiah knew his place as kingand he knew God's place in the Kingdom. Dawn Wilsonhas served in revival ministry and missions for more than 50 years. 34 I will defend this city and save it, for my sake and for the sake of David my servant. But God brought the king back from deaths door and gave him fifteen more years of life; a wonderful gift, indeed. healing is selfish. Story of Elijah Praying for the Widow's Son. He is also one of the most prominent kings of Judah mentioned in the Bible and is one of the kings mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew. In the passage below, we see that the sickness was specifically for the glory of God. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz went to him and said, This is what the Lord says: Put your house in order, because you are going to die; you will not recover. Hezekiahs prayer was Bold. A single copy of this article is free. The Assyrian army, the most powerful He walked the walk! This could have even happened during the crisis with Assyria itself. (2 Kings 19:15) Lesson 4: Hezekiah did not go flippantly to the Lord in prayer. sole reign at age 25 in 716/15, reigning 29 years until his death in 687. At one point, the Assyrian king launched a huge smear campaign against Hezekiah with his own people. The Lord said, "You will die; you will not recover" (20:1b), He was still in the palace courtyard. Then they turned inland. Why is it that some of our prayers for healing, prayed with humble earnestness and hope, are heard but not answered by God? Hezekiah's Praise to God before His Healing Apparently Hezekiah praised God before he had recovered his health. Had a wonderfu, Its FridayThe Romans beat my JesusThey ro, SPRING SALE52 WEEKS IN THE WORD is available n, God does not say that we wont experience hardsh, Have you been stuck for years? They could make games or collect stickers. This is one of the most troubling mysteries of our faith. In the face of these threats, Hezekiah grieved, but he knew where to turn. But God does honor the prayers of the upright over those of the backslidden. could have predicted Manasseh's wickedness except God himself. You could do this with a lamp indoors if it is not a sunny day. From God's response to Hezekiah's prayer through the Prophet Isaiah (20:6b), it sounds like Sennacharib's presence was still threatening Jerusalem His tears probably represent more than a fear of death. Privacy Policy. Fore he clave to the LORD and departed not from following him, but kept his commandments, which the LORD commanded Moses. But his ear is particularly open to his children who seek to be obedient to him. Glorious Kingdom, The Throughout the stressful time in leadership, Hezekiah consistently used the same battle plan. e) I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the King of Assyria V7. His passion for God brought a restored Judah into a period of national revival. When the prophet Isaiah told him his death was near, Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and wept bitterly. Hezekiahs prayer was Open and honest. 1 In those days Hezekiah became ill and was at the point of death. Talk about how it feels to be sick. Young suggests: "Hezekiah could well be facing the same temptation that came to Abraham when he was commanded to offer up his son (Genesis 22:1)"9-- that is, the conflict of God's promise concerning his offspring with God's command that seemed to conflict with the promise. We fold our tents and go home. Early Church: Acts1-12 Hezekiah not only In following years, Hezekiah became ill and was near death when Isaiah the prophet said to him, Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live. (II Kings 20:1). 2. Even at the sixth time, he was not healed. King Hezekiah wanted a sign from the Lord. This time he would have some good news to tell the king. Hezekiah cried desperately. Hezekiah relied on prayer to rule his life. He just continued to pray and ask God to help him. While the dating and order of events As a thank you for signing up for a free iDisciple account, enjoy this downloadable e-book. Hezekiah begins his prayer with an awesome vision of who God really is. Try, If The Preacher Is Dead, The Sermon Will Be Dead, Chasing The Dream, Preaching Greatness, And Knowing Your Audience. God is not restricted in the means he can use to grant physical healing. God can do miraculous things for his people. It is God who turned Amazingly, God relented and Hezekiah was healed. He chose to cling to the Lord, follow Him, pursue holiness for himself and his people, and lead Judah in renewed worship. Often times, we offer half hearted, 10 minutes prayers to God even for people who are terminally ill with cancer. He prayed to desire Gods glory above all. None Bible Lesson: King Hezekiah Part 3: Hezekiah prays when threatened by Assyria Before an army fights the enemy the captain receives orders from the king. There was nothing in his palace or in all his kingdom that Hezekiah did not show them (2 Kings 20:13). He almost died. Hezekiah had a faith in God that allowed him to pray with confidence. And the LORD was with him; he was successful in whatever he undertook.. (Isaiah 38:14-20 NIV). Isn't it interesting how we It's part of For the most part, King Hezekiah faithfully walked with God (2 Chronicles 31:20), and there was no one like him among all the kings of Judah, either before him or after him (2 Kings 18:5). In todays story we are going to learn about a time when King Hezekiah was sick. Consider: Think of the pressure we take upon ourselves when we try to be the general in God's battles. Stopping up springs around Jerusalem that could supply water to an attacking Assyrian army (2 Chronicles 32:1-4). Samaria finally fell in 722 BC and the Northern Kingdom ceased to exist (2 Kings 17:3-6; 18:9-12). 1, 2, and 3 John He wanted to teach the people to love God. But when we actually believe that the battle is the Lord's to fight, then we let Use save ready lesson plant at instruction . Sometimes we get upset because God doesnt do something we asked or wanted Him to do but the fact is He had never promised to do it. Perhaps Hezekiahs illness had something to do with boils. 3Remember,Lord, how I have walkedbefore you faithfullyand with wholehearted devotion and have done what is good in your eyes. And Hezekiah wept bitterly. Though Hezekiah had led the nation in reform and revival, his indifference for the future had terrible consequences. You have made heaven and earth. Hezekiah wept a lot; he wept profusely. The common English translations of the adjective describing Hezekiah's weeping do us a disservice. Philippians It wasnt an afterthought. So they took and laid it on the boil, and he recovered. E-mail Bible Study Hezekiah knew his place as kingand he knew God's place in the Kingdom. Psalms The final chapters of II Chronicles recount the reigns of the various kings, most of whom are fairly unforgettable. King Hezekiah lived fifteen more years and was a good king. Lamb of God Just ask the children what they would want to do if they were in the hospital. Watercolors It helps you remember to pray for them. To access and start using your account today, go to iDisciple.org and click login. God honored this with blessing, success, and answered prayer. There were several men of God who asked God for signs when their faith was not enough to believe God for the impossible even after God spoke to them. Bible Lesson: King Hezekiah trusts God and asks for help (Begin with prayer) God's city Jerusalem did not look like a city where His people worshiped the One True God. Spend some time talking about prayer. The stairway apparently served as a sundial of some sort. Verse one contains the familiar expression Put your house in order. When Isaiah left, Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed earnestly with tears. Lord's Supper Isaiah says: "Hezekiah, this is what the LORD, the God of your father David, says." Hezekiah turns over with wonder and joy on his face. He has encouraged you to pray to him. Erase another word and recite the verse. God's heart is open to the prayer of his child seeking to live Extending and strengthening the wall of Jerusalem (2 Chronicles 32:5a). Isaiah 35 That night the angel of the LORD went out and put to death a hundred and eighty-five thousand men in the Assyrian camp. 16Give ear, O Lord, and hear; open your eyes, O LORD, and see; listen to the words Sennacherib has sent to insult the living God. (Ps 120-135) Naaman was healed only after he dipped seven times in the Jordan river. enemy soldiers are within a two or three days march. And Hezekiah wept bitterly. By signing up with iDisciple, you will be able to enjoy such perks as: Get the iDisciple Verse of the Day sent directly to your inbox. military force on earth, is ravaging the countryside a few miles away, threatening weaker cities into submission and destroying the rest, carting away their riches and levying a burdensome annual tax that bleeds the nation even more. It is right to pray for physical health and healing. He sought wisdom from the prophet Isaiah (2 Kings 19:1-5). Hezekiah isn't responsible for Manesseh's sins any He is mentioned throughout the Old Testament in Proverbs 25:1; Isaiah 1:1; Jeremiah 15:4; Jeremiah 26:18-19; Hosea 1:1; and Micah 1:1. This content provider does not have additional content available right now. God answered the kings prayer swiftly! May these prayers for strength encourage your spirit and strengthen your faith. nor deserved. When it comes to healing, we must believe that it is Gods will to heal unless we have heard otherwise from the Holy Spirit. Hezekiah was a very good king. Help us grow. Sometimes God answers the prayers of rank sinners and backslidden Christians. Hezekiah appealed to God's promises for an heir and for long life for those who live a righteous life. The Assyrian kings also conquered Philistine cities west of Judah and imposed a tribute upon Hezekiah's father. James teaches us: "The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective" (James 5:16b). Likewise, the Lord wants us to resist the pull of the culture and stand strong as lights in the darkness for Him (1 Corinthians 16:13; Ephesians 5:15-17; 6:13; Philippians 2:15). One time King Hezekiah became very ill. a. Let's examine Hezekiah's short prayer. 16Give ear, O Lord, and hear; open your eyes, O LORD, and see; listen to the words Sennacherib has sent to insult the living God. And I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria. The king should have been horrified by the prophecy, but his response showed another fault. When Hezekiah recovered, he sang a song of praise to God: The living, the living, they thank you, as I do this day (38:19). 2 Kings 20:11 So Isaiah the prophet cried out to the Lord, and He brought the shadow ten degrees backward, by which it had gone down on the sundial of Ahaz. Hebrews For he thought, Will there not be peace and security in my lifetime?. Moses The prophet told Hezekiah, The Lord says you are going to die. He told him he would live for fifteen more years. 2 Kings 18:6-7a says the righteous king held fast to the LORD and did not stop following him; he kept the commands the LORD had given Moses. We have collected Hezekiahs prayers to use in request to God. Yes, we're under the stress of battle, but not the stress of trying to play God. We cannot leave this important task to others. Lexi threw me the sweetest surprise min, Happy Easter! Do not put this on a website. According to the Bible, Hezekiah witnessed the destruction of the northernKingdom of IsraelbySargonsAssyriansin c. 722 BC and was king of Judah during thesiege of JerusalembySennacheribin 701 BC. Yet you are a believer in Yahweh, the true God. There are at least five lessons we can learn from Hezekiah's life and choices. This king knew how to pray and he prayed in a way that got results. Even though Isaiah had gone, he had not gotten very far. He had made mistakes, wrong decisions, and had moments that We hope it is a blessing to you! Tell the story using a power point presentation. a faithful, upright, righteous life. Hezekiah also reinstituted the sacrificial Passover celebration as a national holiday (2 Chronicles 30:1-27). 19 Now, O LORD our God, deliver us from his hand, so that all kingdoms on earth may know that you alone, O LORD, are God.. When Hezekiah receives the letter, he brings it before the Lord and spreads it out for God to read. They talked frequently; probably throughout the day. In 701 BC, another Assyrian king Sennacherib (705-681) led a massive military force into the area to put down the rebels, counteract Egyptian threats, and reassert Assyria's dominance. The Word of God tells us God desires our love, and He honors those who honor Him (1 Samuel 2:30; Matthew 22:37). He is considered a very righteous king by the author of the Books of Kings. Sermon on the Mount Colossians They returned to God, His Word, and the Old Testament blood sacrifice for sin (2 Chronicles 29:15, 22-24). Hezekiah truly was a remarkable king. be like your servant Hezekiah, who trusted in you and your promises with all his heart, and wasn't afraid to ask you for what he needed. In verse 19, Hezekiah prayed, Now, O LORD our God, deliver us from his hand, so that all kingdoms on earth may know that you alone, O LORD, are God.. Christian Art, About Us We get discouraged. Certainly he did not look forward to death with the same longing as Paul, who saw it as "far better" (Philippians 1:23). (1 John 4:4). RESTORATION THROUGH COMMITMENT. Hezekiahs tunnel still exists under the city of Davidexcavated by modern archaeologists. Enter your email address and we will send you a link to reset your password. Leanne VanDyk. Hezekiah was transparent before the Lord. When King Hezekiah became sick, the prophet Isaiah told him that he would die. He may be second or third or when we are backed into a corner and have no choice, but as a habit we need to make God the first place we turn in our lives. Background Information on the Divided Kingdom. He has made promises to you. From God's response through Isaiah we get some hints to the reasons why God seems to have responded to Hezekiah's prayer, though we can't read God's mind: You, dear friend, are also loved by God. Bring some items to class that relate to illness. Before Isaiah left Hezekiahs home, the Lord instructed him to tell the king his prayer was heard. All God's gifts are by grace -- his own favor towards us, which is neither earned King Hezekiah probably hoped that Isaiah would have some good news. What kind of a baby is Hezekiah? page on this website for ideas that are adaptable to any lesson. MANY DO NOT RECEIVE HEALING AS THEY IGNORE THE INSTRUCTIONS GIVEN IN GODS WORD. I have decided to add more years to his life. "Real men don't cry," is the way we train our sons. For Hezekiahs case, he had to apply herbs on the boil. After his wicked fathers reign, Hezekiah committed himself to set things right again in Judah. Before copying or reproducing any portion of this website please carefully read the Mission Bible Class Copyrights and Permissions Page. God heard his prayer and he was healed. to a loving Father, who knows better that we do. 3. When the Babylonians heard about the kings sickness, Marduk-Baladan, the son of the king of Babylon, sent letters and a gift by envoys to Hezekiah (2 Kings 20:12). 18They have thrown their gods into the fire and destroyed them, for they were not gods but only wood and stone, fashioned by men's hands. It helps you to watch as God answers. What a time to fall ill and die! Always remain true to the facts found in the Bible but help children connect to its meaning by using drama, visual aids, voice inflection, student interaction and/or emotion. "He rebelled against the king of Assyria and did not serve him" (1 Kings 18:7). withdrew to fight the Egyptians (2 Kings 19:9). Aug 22, 2021 22:50. He sanctified the temple vessels that had been desecrated but destroyed the bronze servant Moses madebecause Gods people had turned it into an idol (Numbers 21:9; 2 Kings 18:4). was worshipped, smashing sacred stones, cutting down Asherah poles, and destroying Moses' bronze snake that had become an object of worship (2 Kings 18:4). He is in his own bedroom, probably hovered over by various counselors, officers, He just continued to pray and ask God to help him.

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