Hezekiah – Part II
The reign of King Ahaz left Judah in spiritual ruin. Under his leadership, the doors of the temple were shut, true worship was abandoned, and the nation spiralled into idolatry. Ahaz’s decision to close the temple was more than a physical act—it symbolized the nation turning its back on God, cutting off the people from the very heart of their relationship with the Lord. As a result, Judah entered a period of deep darkness, spiritually disconnected and vulnerable to foreign powers like Assyria.
When Hezekiah ascended the throne, the situation in Judah was bleak. The people had become entrenched in the pagan practices Ahaz had introduced, and the once-vibrant worship of the Lord was almost forgotten. However, Hezekiah was not like his father. From the moment he became king, he took immediate and decisive action to restore Judah’s relationship with God. The first year of his reign marked the beginning of a remarkable period of reform and renewal.
One of Hezekiah’s first acts as king was to reopen the doors of the temple, symbolizing the restoration of true worship and the nation’s return to the Lord. This act represented the dawn of a new spiritual era for Judah—a transition from the darkness of Ahaz’s apostasy to the light of renewed faith. Hezekiah’s reforms were not just about physical restoration; they were about rekindling the nation’s covenant relationship with God.
In this study, we will explore Hezekiah’s efforts to open the doors of the temple and the significance of his actions, which serve as a powerful reminder that no matter how far we have strayed, there is always hope for renewal when we turn back to God.
Hezekiah’s Early Life and Influence of His Mother
Despite growing up under the reign of one of Judah’s most corrupt kings, Hezekiah emerged as a beacon of faith and righteousness. His father, Ahaz, had led the nation into idolatry and shut the doors of the temple, cutting off Judah’s access to God. Yet Hezekiah took a different path, choosing to restore true worship and return the nation to the Lord. A significant factor in this remarkable contrast between father and son lies in the influence of Hezekiah’s mother, Abijah (also called “Abby” in 2 Kings 18:2).
Abijah’s role in Hezekiah’s spiritual upbringing cannot be overstated. As Ahaz plunged deeper into idolatry, it was likely Abijah who nurtured Hezekiah’s faith and taught him the importance of worshipping the true God. In 2 Chronicles 29:1, her name is specifically mentioned, indicating her crucial role in shaping Hezekiah’s character. Her influence offers a powerful reminder of the profound impact mothers and grandmothers can have on the spiritual lives of their children. Even in a household dominated by Ahaz’s apostasy, Abijah appears to have provided a counterbalance of faith and devotion, instilling in Hezekiah the values that would guide him as king.
The Bible is filled with examples of faithful women who played vital roles in guiding their children and grandchildren toward God. Timothy, a key figure in the early church, was also shaped by his mother, Eunice, and grandmother, Lois (2 Timothy 1:5). These women, like Abijah, demonstrate how essential it is for families to nurture faith, even when the broader culture or immediate family environment is spiritually hostile.
For mothers and fathers alike, the example of Abijah emphasizes the importance of intentional, daily spiritual influence. Teaching children about God, reading the scriptures together, and ensuring that faith is central to family life can have a lasting impact. Abijah likely ensured that Hezekiah knew the history of Israel and Judah, especially the stories of faithful kings like David, whose legacy Hezekiah would later emulate. This spiritual foundation would become crucial when Hezekiah ascended the throne and faced the monumental task of reversing his father’s legacy.
In modern times, we can take inspiration from Abijah’s example. Despite the challenges and opposition she likely faced, she remained committed to raising Hezekiah in the faith. In our families, whether as parents, grandparents, or other influences, we too can prioritize the spiritual well-being of the next generation. By setting a faithful example and making the worship of God central to family life, we can help cultivate strong, resilient faith in our children, just as Abijah did with Hezekiah.
Hezekiah’s early life serves as a testimony to the power of spiritual influence within the home. Though his father, Ahaz, led Judah into darkness, Hezekiah’s faith in God, likely nurtured by his mother, would help lead the nation back to the light of true worship.
Hezekiah’s First Act: Opening the Temple and Reversing Apostasy
Hezekiah’s reign began during one of the darkest periods in Judah’s history. His father, Ahaz, had led the nation into widespread idolatry, desecrating the temple and ultimately shutting its doors. By closing the temple, Ahaz not only cut off the people from the central place of worship but also symbolized the nation’s spiritual separation from God. When Hezekiah ascended the throne, his first priority was to reverse this disastrous course. The opening of the temple doors in the first month of his reign marked the beginning of a profound spiritual renewal for Judah.
Hezekiah wasted no time in setting a new direction for the nation. In the very first year of his reign, and in the first month, he ordered the temple doors to be opened and repaired (2 Chronicles 29:3). This immediate action demonstrated the urgency with which Hezekiah approached the task of spiritual reform. He recognized that the nation’s survival and prosperity were deeply tied to their relationship with the Lord, and that relationship could only be restored by reestablishing the temple as the centre of worship. By opening the doors, Hezekiah symbolically invited the people back into communion with God.
Opening the temple was not just a physical act; it was a spiritual declaration. Under Ahaz, the temple had been neglected, its vessels desecrated or destroyed, and the altars defiled with pagan sacrifices (2 Chronicles 28:24). In stark contrast, Hezekiah’s first act was to reverse this apostasy and cleanse the house of God. This was not an easy task, as years of neglect and idolatry had left the temple in a state of disrepair. Yet, Hezekiah’s swift action reflected his dedication to restoring true worship and his understanding that the nation’s problems were not merely political or military, but spiritual at their core.
Hezekiah’s decision to restore the temple was also a profound act of leadership. He gathered the priests and Levites, charging them with the responsibility of sanctifying themselves and the temple (2 Chronicles 29:4-5). The cleansing of the temple was to begin with a spiritual renewal among the priests themselves. Hezekiah understood that the leaders of worship had to be spiritually prepared before they could guide the nation back to God. His instruction to “carry forth the filthiness out of the holy place” (2 Chronicles 29:5) was not just about cleaning the physical space, but about removing the spiritual impurities that had corrupted Judah under Ahaz’s rule.
The process of cleansing the temple took 16 days—eight days to clean the outer parts and eight days for the inner sanctum (2 Chronicles 29:17). This detail underscores the magnitude of the task Hezekiah faced. The temple had been so thoroughly defiled that it took significant time and effort to restore it to a place where true worship could resume. However, once the temple was cleansed, Hezekiah did not delay in reinstating proper worship. He immediately called for burnt offerings and sacrifices to be made upon the restored altar (2 Chronicles 29:20-24), signalling that Judah was once again ready to renew its covenant with God.
Hezekiah’s actions also serve as a powerful symbol of repentance and restoration. By reopening the temple and restoring proper worship, Hezekiah was leading Judah back to the foundations of their faith. He was undoing the damage caused by Ahaz’s apostasy and reminding the people of their identity as God’s chosen nation. The emphasis on the burnt offerings (2 Chronicles 29:24) reflected the need for atonement and reconciliation. It was a public acknowledgement of the nation’s sins and a commitment to returning to God’s ways.
Moreover, Hezekiah’s decision to open the temple was a profound act of trust in God. In contrast to Ahaz, who sought alliances with Assyria for political protection, Hezekiah understood that Judah’s true security lay in their relationship with the Lord. By making the restoration of the temple his first priority, Hezekiah was declaring that the nation’s future depended not on military alliances or worldly strategies, but on the blessings and protection of God.
The reopening of the temple also had broader implications for the people of Judah. It signalled a return to communal worship and the reestablishment of their spiritual identity. Under Ahaz, the people had been led astray by pagan practices, but Hezekiah’s reforms were an invitation for the entire nation to turn back to God. The reopening of the temple was a call to repentance, a chance to restore their covenant relationship with the Lord, and an opportunity to rebuild the spiritual fabric of the nation.
Hezekiah’s first act as king set the tone for his entire reign. His swift action in reopening the temple showed his deep understanding of the importance of true worship and his commitment to leading Judah back to God. By reversing the apostasy of his father and restoring the temple, Hezekiah not only repaired a physical structure but also began the process of spiritual healing for his people. His leadership serves as a powerful reminder that, no matter how far a nation or individual has strayed, there is always hope for renewal when we return to God and place Him at the centre of our lives.
Cleansing the Temple: Removing the Filth
Once Hezekiah reopened the doors of the temple, his next priority was to cleanse it thoroughly, both physically and spiritually. Years of neglect and pagan practices had left the temple defiled, filled with idolatrous objects and symbolic representations of the nation’s abandonment of the Lord. The cleansing of the temple was crucial in restoring Judah’s relationship with God and reestablishing the temple as the centre of true worship. This act was not only about removing physical dirt but about purging the spiritual impurities that had accumulated during the reign of Ahaz.
Hezekiah immediately gathered the priests and Levites to carry out this monumental task. In 2 Chronicles 29:4-5, he commanded them to “sanctify yourselves, and sanctify the house of the LORD God of your fathers, and carry forth the filthiness out of the holy place.” This cleansing would not be possible without the spiritual renewal of the religious leaders themselves. Hezekiah understood that the priests and Levites, who were responsible for leading the people in worship, had to be spiritually prepared to take on this critical work. Their sanctification was the first step in restoring the temple to its rightful place as the centre of the Lord’s worship.
The filth that had accumulated in the temple was more than just dust or physical debris. It included the remnants of pagan sacrifices, idolatrous altars, and the symbols of false gods that had been introduced during Ahaz’s reign. Ahaz had filled the temple with altars to foreign gods, replacing the sacred objects that were originally meant for the worship of the Lord (2 Chronicles 28:24). These idolatrous items had corrupted the temple, making it a place of spiritual impurity rather than the dwelling place of God. To restore the temple to its holy purpose, these objects had to be removed and destroyed, reflecting a deeper spiritual cleansing that was necessary for the people to return to God.
The process of cleansing the temple took 16 days. For the first eight days, the priests and Levites worked on the outer parts of the temple, removing the defiled objects and cleansing the courtyards (2 Chronicles 29:16). This alone was a significant task, given the extent of the corruption that had taken place under Ahaz. The Levites carried the idolatrous items out to the Kidron Valley, a place associated with the destruction of unclean objects and the removal of impurities (2 Chronicles 29:16). The symbolic act of carrying the filth to the Kidron Valley demonstrated that Judah was turning away from its past sins, disposing of the physical and spiritual remnants of idolatry.
After cleansing the outer areas of the temple, the priests turned their attention to the inner sanctuary. This was the most sacred part of the temple, where the presence of the Lord was believed to dwell. The inner part of the temple had been defiled, making it unfit for the worship of God. It took another eight days to purify this area, reflecting the seriousness with which Hezekiah and the priests approached their task. This was not just about cleaning a building; it was about making the temple a place where God’s holiness could dwell once again.
This process of cleansing the temple is a powerful metaphor for the need for personal and communal spiritual renewal. Just as the temple had been defiled by years of neglect and idolatry, so too can our lives become cluttered with distractions, sins, and influences that separate us from God. The cleansing of the temple reminds us of the importance of regularly examining our own hearts and removing the “filth” that can accumulate over time. Whether it is the distractions of modern life, unhealthy relationships, or sinful habits, we are called to cleanse ourselves so that we can approach God with pure hearts. Hezekiah’s call to the Levites to “sanctify themselves” is a reminder that spiritual renewal begins with personal repentance and dedication to God’s ways.
The Kidron Valley, where the filth from the temple was disposed of, holds symbolic significance in this process of cleansing. Throughout the Bible, it is associated with the destruction of idolatrous objects and the purging of spiritual impurities (1 Kings 15:13, 2 Kings 23:4). By removing the defiled items from the temple and depositing them in the Kidron Valley, Hezekiah and the priests were symbolically casting away the sins of the nation. This act of purification was necessary to restore the temple as a holy place and prepare the people for the renewal of true worship.
Hezekiah’s temple cleansing also highlights the importance of leadership in guiding spiritual renewal. As king, Hezekiah set the example by prioritizing the temple’s restoration and leading the charge to cleanse it. He did not shy away from the difficult task of confronting the nation’s idolatry and calling for repentance. In our own lives, spiritual leadership—whether in families, churches, or communities—requires the courage to confront sin and lead others toward a deeper relationship with God. Hezekiah’s leadership in cleansing the temple serves as a model for all who seek to restore faithfulness and holiness in their communities.
The removal of filth from the temple was not an end in itself but the beginning of a broader restoration of worship in Judah. By purging the physical and spiritual impurities from the temple, Hezekiah prepared the way for the people to return to God and renew their covenant relationship with Him. This cleansing was a necessary first step in a series of reforms that would restore the nation to its rightful place as a people devoted to the Lord.
Hezekiah’s act of cleansing the temple offers us a powerful reminder of the importance of spiritual purity. Just as the temple was cleansed and prepared for worship, we too are called to cleanse our hearts and lives, removing anything that hinders our relationship with God. In doing so, we make space for true worship and a deeper connection with our Creator.
The Symbolism of the Brazen Serpent
One of Hezekiah’s most notable actions in his reforms was the destruction of the brazen serpent. This object, originally created by Moses at God’s command, had become a symbol of idolatry over the centuries. In 2 Kings 18:4, we read that Hezekiah “removed the high places, broke the images, cut down the groves, and broke in pieces the brazen serpent that Moses had made, for unto those days the children of Israel did burn incense to it: and he called it Nehushtan.” The brazen serpent, once a symbol of God’s power and deliverance, had degenerated into an object of false worship, and Hezekiah decisively destroyed it to restore true worship in Judah.
The story of the brazen serpent begins in Numbers 21:8-9 when the Israelites, during their wilderness journey, were plagued by venomous snakes as a punishment for their rebellion. In response to their cries for help, God instructed Moses to create a bronze serpent and place it on a pole. Whoever looked at the serpent would be healed. This serpent was a powerful symbol of God’s mercy and deliverance—a tangible reminder that salvation came through faith and obedience to His word.
However, by Hezekiah’s time, the serpent had taken on a completely different meaning. Over hundreds of years, what had once been a tool for healing had turned into an object of veneration. The Israelites began to burn incense to it, transforming the brazen serpent into an idol. Hezekiah, recognizing this shift, destroyed it, calling it “Nehushtan,” meaning “a piece of brass.” This name demystified the object, reducing it to the material from which it was made, and reminded the people that it held no inherent divine power.
The destruction of the brazen serpent highlights an important spiritual principle: symbols and rituals, even those with a divine origin, can lose their meaning and become corrupted if they are detached from their original purpose. For Israel, the serpent was meant to point them toward God’s healing power, not to become an object of worship in itself. Hezekiah’s decision to destroy the serpent was an act of spiritual clarity and renewal, returning the people’s focus to God alone.
Hezekiah’s destruction of the brazen serpent can also be seen as a foreshadowing of the work of Christ. In John 3:14-15, Jesus refers to the brazen serpent, saying, “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” The serpent on the pole symbolized the crucifixion, where Jesus, lifted up on the cross, became the means of healing and salvation for all who believe. Just as the Israelites had to look at the serpent to be saved, we are called to look to Christ for salvation.
Ultimately, Hezekiah’s destruction of the brazen serpent serves as a reminder of the danger of placing our faith in objects, traditions, or rituals rather than in God Himself. The serpent, though originally a divine symbol, had become a stumbling block for Israel. In our own lives, we must be vigilant against the temptation to let forms of worship or religious practices become ends in themselves, distracting us from the true object of our faith—God and His Son, Jesus Christ. Hezekiah’s bold action calls us back to pure, unadulterated worship focused solely on the Creator, not on the created.
Rebuilding Spiritual Integrity: Trusting in God
A key element of Hezekiah’s reforms was his absolute trust in God. In contrast to his father, Ahaz, who relied on political alliances and foreign powers like Assyria for security, Hezekiah made a clear decision to place his faith entirely in the Lord. This trust became the foundation for rebuilding not only the temple but the spiritual integrity of the nation of Judah. In 2 Kings 18:5, the record highlights that “he trusted in the LORD God of Israel; so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor any that were before him.” Hezekiah’s trust in God set him apart as a unique leader in Judah’s history.
Trusting in God was not simply a passive act for Hezekiah; it was an active, determined stance that defined his rule. One of the most significant demonstrations of this trust was his rebellion against the king of Assyria (2 Kings 18:7). After years of Judah being a vassal state, paying tribute to Assyria under Ahaz’s reign, Hezekiah boldly chose to stop serving the Assyrian empire. This was a dangerous move—Assyria was the dominant world power at the time, and defiance often led to brutal retribution. Yet, Hezekiah’s faith in God’s protection was greater than his fear of earthly consequences.
This act of rebellion was not a reckless political gamble but a demonstration of Hezekiah’s conviction that Judah’s survival depended on the Lord, not on foreign alliances. Where Ahaz had sought the favour of Assyria, even going so far as to adopt Assyrian religious practices, Hezekiah deliberately broke away from these dependencies. By doing so, he was not only rejecting political subjugation but also spiritual submission to foreign gods. This return to trusting in God alone laid the groundwork for the spiritual renewal of the nation.
Hezekiah’s leadership and example of trust in God also had a profound impact on the people of Judah. His personal commitment to following God—evidenced by his reforms, the restoration of the temple, and his cleansing of idolatry—became a model for the nation. In times of great uncertainty and impending threats, such as when the Assyrian army eventually laid siege to Jerusalem, Hezekiah’s faith remained steadfast. He sought God’s guidance through prayer, as seen in his plea before God in Isaiah 37, where he turned to the Lord for deliverance from the Assyrian threat.
This unwavering trust in God is a central lesson from Hezekiah’s reign. It reminds us that spiritual integrity is rebuilt not through earthly means or by relying on worldly powers but by placing our full confidence in God’s promises. Hezekiah’s reforms and decisions were rooted in his belief that only the Lord could secure Judah’s future. His life challenges us to consider whether we are fully trusting in God in our own lives, especially when faced with difficult circumstances. Just as Hezekiah restored Judah by relying on God, we, too, can rebuild and strengthen our spiritual integrity when we place our trust completely in Him.
The Power of Restoration
Hezekiah’s reign serves as a powerful example of the transformative impact of spiritual restoration. From reopening the temple doors to cleansing the filth of idolatry, Hezekiah’s efforts brought Judah back from the brink of spiritual collapse. His unwavering trust in God and commitment to reinstating true worship reversed the damage caused by his father, Ahaz. This period of renewal shows that, no matter how deeply a nation or individual has fallen into sin, restoration is always possible when there is a return to God.
The power of Hezekiah’s reforms lies not just in his actions but in his faith. He demonstrated that spiritual integrity can only be rebuilt by trusting fully in God and rejecting worldly solutions. Hezekiah’s legacy invites us to reflect on our own lives and communities, reminding us that restoration and renewal begin with a commitment to God’s ways and a deep trust in His provision.