No 5a in the series ‘Heros of the Faith’. This is the first of a three part sermon on Hezekiah
Have you ever wondered about the Old Testament books of the Bible? Surely these old stories of thousands of years ago are really not relevant to me today? That does sound like a good and reasonable argument, until you realise that the whole Bible was inspired by God for his people for all time. They are actually stories of real living people with struggles that are similar to the struggles that we have today. What happened in the days of king Ahaz (the evil father of Hezekiah) is happening today in our Western society. Jeff enlightens us with this truth by showing how some of king Ahaz evil is now enshrined in Australian legislation. He also shows us some of the idolatry that we blissfully worship today without thinking twice.
Hezekiah’s faith and reforms changed the course of his entire nation during his time as king. He lived centuries after Gideon and Samson, and was the 13th king of Judah. He was 25 years old when he became king and reigned in Jerusalem 29 years (C716-686 BC). “Hezekiah trusted in the Lord, the God of Israel. There was no one like him among all the kings of Judah, either before him or after him.” (2 Kings 18:5). Oh how I would like my heart to be as good as king Hezekiah. {script by Stephen}