A King Who Chose God
Today we are learning about King Hezekiah.
Hezekiah was a king of Judah, the southern kingdom.
He lived at a time when many kings did evil and forgot God.
But Hezekiah was different.
The Bible says he trusted God with all his heart.
Both Judaism and Christianity honor Hezekiah as a king who tried to lead his people back to God.
Hezekiah Begins His Rule
Hezekiah became king when he was 25 years old.
When he became king, the people had turned away from God:
The Temple was neglected
False gods were worshiped
God’s law was ignored
Hezekiah acted quickly.
He reopened the Temple of the Lord.
He repaired it.
He invited the people to return to true worship.
A good leader begins with repentance.
Hezekiah restored proper worship according to the Torah.
True leadership begins by putting God first.
Hezekiah Cleans the Land
Hezekiah removed idols.
He destroyed places of false worship.
He even destroyed the bronze snake that people had begun to worship instead of God.
He taught the people:
“Worship God alone.”
Good things can become wrong if they replace God.
Judaism:
Worship must stay pure and faithful.Christianity:
Anything placed above God becomes an idol.
Hezekiah Restores the Passover
Hezekiah invited all the people of Judah—and even some from Israel—to celebrate Passover again.
Many had forgotten how to celebrate it.
The people humbled themselves.
They prayed.
They rejoiced together.
Remembering God’s saving acts brings unity.
Jewish teaching:
Passover reminds Israel of God’s deliverance from Egypt.Christian teaching:
Remembering God’s saving work strengthens faith and community.
The Great Enemy Attacks
A powerful enemy, Assyria, came against Judah.
The Assyrian army surrounded Jerusalem.
The enemy mocked God and frightened the people.
Hezekiah did not panic.
He went to the Temple.
He prayed to God.
He asked the prophet Isaiah for guidance.
When fear comes, turn to God first.
Judaism:
Prayer and trust in God are the strongest defenses.Christianity:
Faith replaces fear when we trust God’s power.
God Delivers Jerusalem
God answered Hezekiah’s prayer.
That night, the Assyrian army was defeated.
Jerusalem was saved.
The people saw that God protects those who trust Him.
Victory comes from God, not from strength alone.
Jewish view:
God defends His people and His city.Christian view:
God fights battles that humans cannot win alone.
Hezekiah Becomes Sick
Later, Hezekiah became very ill.
The prophet Isaiah told him he would die.
Hezekiah prayed with tears.
He asked God for mercy.
God heard his prayer and gave him 15 more years of life.
God listens to honest prayer.
Judaism:
Prayer can change a person’s destiny.Christianity:
God responds to sincere faith and humility.
Hezekiah’s Weak Moment
Hezekiah later showed pride when visitors came from Babylon.
He showed them all his riches.
This was a mistake.
It reminds us that even good leaders are not perfect.
Faith must be guarded with humility.
Judaism:
Pride leads to future trouble.Christianity:
Spiritual success requires continued humility.
What Hezekiah Teaches Us Today
Trust God Fully
Remove Idols from Life
Pray in Times of Fear
Lead with Faith and Courage
Stay Humble
Both traditions agree:
God desires faithful leadership
God hears prayer
God saves and protects
God honors trust and obedience
Living Like Hezekiah
Hezekiah was not perfect.
But he chose to trust God.
In a time of fear, he prayed.
In a time of danger, he believed.
In a time of weakness, he humbled himself.
May we learn from Hezekiah:
To trust God fully
To worship faithfully
And to walk humbly all our days.
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