Divided Kingdom II; Judah Alone Lesson 10 Ahaz / Hezekiah

“In the days of Pekah king of Israel, Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria came and took Ijon, Abel Beth Maachah, Janoah, Kedesh, Hazor, Gilead, and Galilee, all the land of Naphtali; and he carried them captive to Assyria” 2 Kings 15:29 “Nevertheless the gloom will not be upon her who is distressed, As when at first He lightly esteemed The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, And afterward more heavily oppressed her, By the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, In Galilee of the Gentiles. The people who walked in darkness Have seen a great light; Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, Upon them a light has shined.” Isaiah 9:1-2 Conquest of Tiglath-Pileser from 734-732 B.C.

So the king of Assyria heeded him; for the king of Assyria went up against Damascus and took it, carried its people captive to Kir, and killed Rezin.” 2 Kings 16:9 Conquest of Tiglath-Pileser from 734-732 B.C.

(Judah) Ahaz goes to Damascus (2 Kings 16:10-18; 2 Chron. 28:22-25) Ahaz goes to Damascus to meet Tiglath- Pileser III Ahaz becomes “increasingly unfaithful to the LORD” in the times of his distress (2 Chron. 28:22) He offers sacrifices to the gods of Damascus…if the gods of Syria helped them, they could help me! The names Hosea, Joshua, and Jesus are all derived from the same Hebrew root word. The word “hoshea” means salvation but Joshua & Jesus include an additional idea: “Yahweh is Salvation”. As God’s messenger, Hosea offers the possibility of salvation if only the nation will turn from idolatry back to God. They were the ruin of him and Israel

Ahaz rearranges the temple articles (2 Kings 16:10-18; 2 Chron. 28:22-25) Sends plans of altar to Urijah the priest who builds it as described Upon his return, Ahaz makes offerings upon the new altar Ahaz has the articles of the house of God moved or disassembled The names Hosea, Joshua, and Jesus are all derived from the same Hebrew root word. The word “hoshea” means salvation but Joshua & Jesus include an additional idea: “Yahweh is Salvation”. As God’s messenger, Hosea offers the possibility of salvation if only the nation will turn from idolatry back to God.

Ahaz rearranges the temple articles (2 Kings 16:10-18; 2 Chron. 28:22-25) The names Hosea, Joshua, and Jesus are all derived from the same Hebrew root word. The word “hoshea” means salvation but Joshua & Jesus include an additional idea: “Yahweh is Salvation”. As God’s messenger, Hosea offers the possibility of salvation if only the nation will turn from idolatry back to God.

Ahaz rearranges the temple articles (2 Kings 16:10-18; 2 Chron. 28:22-25) Sends plans of altar to Urijah the priest who builds it as described Upon his return, Ahaz makes offerings upon the new altar Ahaz has the articles of the house of God moved or disassembled The names Hosea, Joshua, and Jesus are all derived from the same Hebrew root word. The word “hoshea” means salvation but Joshua & Jesus include an additional idea: “Yahweh is Salvation”. As God’s messenger, Hosea offers the possibility of salvation if only the nation will turn from idolatry back to God. Moves bronze altar to north side of new altar Cuts panels of the carts & removes lavers Takes down the Sea from the bronze oxen that were under it and put it on pavement of stones Shut the doors of the house of the LORD Made high places in every city of Judah

(Israel); Hoshea begins his reign (2 Kings 15:30; 17:1-18:1; 18:9-12) Hoshea conspires against Pekah and kills him. Reigns 9 years; evil, but not a bad as the kings that were before him. In the Assyrian records, Tiglath-Pileser claims to have placed Hoshea on Israel’s throne. The names Hosea, Joshua, and Jesus are all derived from the same Hebrew root word. The word “hoshea” means salvation but Joshua & Jesus include an additional idea: “Yahweh is Salvation”. As God’s messenger, Hosea offers the possibility of salvation if only the nation will turn from idolatry back to God.

(Judah) Ahaz dies; Hezekiah (2 Kings 16:10-18; 2 Chron. 28:22-25) About three (3) years into Hoshea’s reign in Israel, Ahaz died. He was buried in Jerusalem, but not in the tombs of the kings of Israel. Hezekiah, the son of Ahaz, reigns in the place of Ahaz. The names Hosea, Joshua, and Jesus are all derived from the same Hebrew root word. The word “hoshea” means salvation but Joshua & Jesus include an additional idea: “Yahweh is Salvation”. As God’s messenger, Hosea offers the possibility of salvation if only the nation will turn from idolatry back to God.

Hezekiah reigns in Judah (2 Kings 18; 2 Chron. 29) 25 years old; reigns for 29 years He “did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, according to all that David his father had done.” Removes the high places Broke sacred pillars Cuts down Asherah poles Broke in pieces the bronze serpent that Moses had made in the wilderness (people had been burning incense to it) The names Hosea, Joshua, and Jesus are all derived from the same Hebrew root word. The word “hoshea” means salvation but Joshua & Jesus include an additional idea: “Yahweh is Salvation”. As God’s messenger, Hosea offers the possibility of salvation if only the nation will turn from idolatry back to God.

Hezekiah reigns in Judah (2 Kings 18; 2 Chron. 29) “He trusted in the Lord God of Israel, so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor who were before him. For he held fast to the Lord; he did not depart from following Him, but kept His commandments, which the Lord had commanded Moses.” 2 Kings 18:5-6 The names Hosea, Joshua, and Jesus are all derived from the same Hebrew root word. The word “hoshea” means salvation but Joshua & Jesus include an additional idea: “Yahweh is Salvation”. As God’s messenger, Hosea offers the possibility of salvation if only the nation will turn from idolatry back to God.

Hezekiah cleanses the temple (2 Chron. 29:3-19) (Remember, Ahaz had completely abandoned the temple…) “For our fathers have trespassed and done evil in the eyes of the Lord our God; they have forsaken Him, have turned their faces away from the dwelling place of the Lord, and turned their backs on Him.”…Therefore the wrath of the Lord fell upon Judah and Jerusalem, and He has given them up to trouble, to desolation, and to jeering, as you see with your eyes. 9 For indeed, because of this our fathers have fallen by the sword; and our sons, our daughters, and our wives are in captivity. (2 Chron. 29:6, 8-9) Hezekiah opens the doors of the temple and repairs them (1st year, 1st month) Commands priests and Levites to consecrate themselves and the house of the LORD Why? The names Hosea, Joshua, and Jesus are all derived from the same Hebrew root word. The word “hoshea” means salvation but Joshua & Jesus include an additional idea: “Yahweh is Salvation”. As God’s messenger, Hosea offers the possibility of salvation if only the nation will turn from idolatry back to God.

Hezekiah cleanses the temple (2 Chron. 29:3-19) (Remember, Ahaz had completely abandoned the temple…) Hezekiah opens the doors of the temple and repairs them (1st year, 1st month) Commands priests and Levites to consecrate themselves and the house of the LORD He makes a covenant with the LORD in his heart Levites arise and cleanse the house of the LORD; priest cleanse inner portion The names Hosea, Joshua, and Jesus are all derived from the same Hebrew root word. The word “hoshea” means salvation but Joshua & Jesus include an additional idea: “Yahweh is Salvation”. As God’s messenger, Hosea offers the possibility of salvation if only the nation will turn from idolatry back to God.

Hezekiah restores temple worship (2 Chron. 29:20-36) Hezekiah gathers officials and sacrifices offered Burnt offering & sin offering made for all of Israel (vs. 24) He stationed Levites in the house of the LORD with cymbals, harps, & lyres… The names Hosea, Joshua, and Jesus are all derived from the same Hebrew root word. The word “hoshea” means salvation but Joshua & Jesus include an additional idea: “Yahweh is Salvation”. As God’s messenger, Hosea offers the possibility of salvation if only the nation will turn from idolatry back to God. “according to the commandment of David, of Gad the king’s seer, and of Nathan the prophet; for thus was the commandment of the LORD by his prophets.” (vs. 25)

Hezekiah restores temple worship (2 Chron. 29:20-36) After consecration, the assembly brought sacrifices & thank offerings…all who were of a willing heart brought burnt offerings. The service of the house of the LORD was restored. Hezekiah and all the people rejoiced that God had prepared the people, since the events took place so suddenly. The names Hosea, Joshua, and Jesus are all derived from the same Hebrew root word. The word “hoshea” means salvation but Joshua & Jesus include an additional idea: “Yahweh is Salvation”. As God’s messenger, Hosea offers the possibility of salvation if only the nation will turn from idolatry back to God.

Hezekiah prepares Passover Feast (2 Chron. 30:1-12) Hezekiah invites all of Israel and Judah to keep the Passover of the LORD. He invites them to “return to the LORD” Don’t be like your fathers & brothers…faithless Don’t be stiffnecked Serve God that His fierce anger may turn away from you! You will find compassion with your captors and return to this land God is gracious and merciful and will not turn away His face from you…if you return to Him. The names Hosea, Joshua, and Jesus are all derived from the same Hebrew root word. The word “hoshea” means salvation but Joshua & Jesus include an additional idea: “Yahweh is Salvation”. As God’s messenger, Hosea offers the possibility of salvation if only the nation will turn from idolatry back to God.

Lessons In times of distress, we MUST turn to the LORD! Hezekiah to the Levites: “For the LORD has chosen you to stand before Him, to serve Him”…are we willing to stand and serve the LORD? We should have an attitude of rejoicing when we have an opportunity to worship the LORD. The names Hosea, Joshua, and Jesus are all derived from the same Hebrew root word. The word “hoshea” means salvation but Joshua & Jesus include an additional idea: “Yahweh is Salvation”. As God’s messenger, Hosea offers the possibility of salvation if only the nation will turn from idolatry back to God.