JUDAH, FROM ISAIAH TO EXILE (September - November 2025)
Unit I: Isaiah and the Renewal of the Temple (4 lessons)
Hezekiah Leads the People Back to God (lesson 2 of 4)
Daily Bible Meditations by Paula Davis
Sunday, September 7: Psalm 145:13-21
What a day it will be when we stand before the Lord's throne in heaven! I look forward to being part of that great multitude of Saints praising and worshipping. But why wait until we are in heaven? This passage reminds us that the Lord is near to all who called on him here and now in good times and bad. Let's not only call on him with our needs and desires but with a shout of “Hallelujah!” Let's lift our voices in praise of His Holy name every day from now into eternity.
Monday, September 8: Matthew 3:4-12
You have probably heard the saying, “Your talk talks and your walk talks but your walk talks louder than your talk talks.” John the Baptist chess tide the Jewish leaders for their hypocrisy and urged them to “produce fruit in keeping with repentance “ (v. 8).We can say the words, even bow low to the ground and sincerely ask forgiveness, but if our fruit does not demonstrate that transformation has begun after our repentance, we are not a walking the walk that Jesus requires.
Tuesday, September 9: Acts 3:12-20
When God healed a crippled beggar through Peter and John, they did not take glory in what they had done or accept any attention for themselves. They turned the attention of the onlookers to the true healer – Jesus! Not only did they give the credit to Jesus, but they also used the opportunity to call everyone present to repentance, emphasising that faith in Jesus Christ is what healed the beggar. Let's watch for opportunities to point to Jesus when we see God at work, offering his gifts to others just as we receive them every day.
Wednesday, September 10: James 5:12-18
Do you ever find yourself bemoaning the fact that “all you can do” is pray? I know in my life, the enemy is quick to point out everything that I am unable to do for someone who is sick or suffering, trying to discourage me from doing the most powerful thing that can be done! We have all experienced answers to prayer; and perhaps we have also had challenges come our way because we did not seek God first. Let's not allow the enemy to push us around anymore but instead push him away through the awesome power of prayer!
Thursday, September 11: Exodus 12:3-14
The Passover meal was not only a big deal the first time it was celebrated but continues to be a special tradition in the Jewish culture today, as they remember how the Lord brought their ancestors out of slavery into a land filled with good things. What if Sabbath was a time of remembrance for us? There is something special about taking time to look back over the week, month, or year and consider the way God has worked in our lives. We may not feel like we are living in the promised land, but we I have much for which to be grateful!
Friday, September 12: Deuteronomy 12:5-12
Where does the name of the Lord dwell? For Israel this promise of a permanent place of worship was a beacon of hope after years of wondering in the world illness. Unlike in the Old Testament we are no longer required to travel to one centralised place to sacrifice before the Lord – the place where the name of the Lord dwells. That does not mean we should be lone Christians, for meeting together is God's desire for believers. However, since the Holy Spirit dwells in every believer, we can sacrifice our sinful desires and seek forgiveness anywhere and anytime.
Sabbath, September 13: 2 Chronicles 30:1-9, 26-27
While we do not need to travel to one place only to repent and make sacrifices, there is something special about a group of believers gathering to seek God and lay their own desires and sins before the Lord as a congregation. Matthew 18:20 tells us that where two or more are gathered in the Lords name, He will be with them. Let's be sure we are not too busy to gather with other believers – not just for fellowship, but to seek the Lord together.
Scripture Passages:
Study: 2 Chronicles 30:1-9, 26-27
Background: 2 Chronicles 30:1-27
Devotional: Psalm 1
Key Verse:
So there was great joy in Jerusalem, because there was nothing like this in Jerusalem since the days of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel (2 Chronicles 30:26).
Heart of the Lesson:
In times of crisis, people desire national leadership that provides the most effective means for restoring the health and wholeness of society. What methods of leadership promotes national stability? Hezekiah restore the nation's stability by leading their return to the Lord through worship and reinstitution of the Passover.
Questions for Studying the Text:
- When have you missed revival – personally or in your church? What were the circumstances that led to that revival?
- Who was Hezekiah, and what challenges did he inherit as king? What was the spiritual condition of Judah and Israel leading up to 2 Chronicles 30 (see 2 Chronicles 28-29)?
- Why was Passover such a significant national and spiritual event (see Exodus chapter 12:1-30)? What had happened to the practice of the Passover during previous kings’ reigns? Why is it significant that Hezekiah’s invitation went to “all Israel and Judah” (v.1)?
- How does the message delivered by the couriers (v.6-9) balance warning and invitation? What were the people asked to do? What promises were given? How does this reflect God's character? What can help a spiritual invitation to be compelling?
- What emotions and spiritual responses marked the celebration of the Passover (v.21-27)? How might this extended celebration have strengthened national morale and hope? How have moments of deep joy for worship impacted your faith?
- What spirit will practices in your life help you return to God with sincerity, like those who humbled themselves to celebrate Passover? What role can spiritual leadership play in restoring hope and unity in times of crisis (e.g., national, church, family)? How might you act as a spiritual encourage like Hezekiah – inviting others to return to God if they feel unworthy or excluded?
Understanding and Living - Darwin Steele
Celebrating the Past
“I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, invisible, with liberty and justice for all.” 1954 was a year that brought the subject of patriotic fervor in many minds- the first year “under God” was used in the Pledge of Allegiance. Still, McCarthyism created an atmosphere of fear for many as of the threat of communism seeped into American culture. In Indochina (March 13th) and artillery barrage began the battle of Dien Bien Phu that was the climax of the first Indochina war; that battle set up the conditions for the U.S. involvement in Vietnam, almost 10 years later. Remembering the Pledge gives us context for what we examine today in King Hezekiah’s story. Sometimes to adequately remember the past an honor the present, you must revisit your covenants.
Current State
Judah had seen some very bad kings; in fact their society had wandered a long way away from following their Lord (2 Chronicles 28:19). In previous times, Judah had also followed in the sins of Israel – worshipping idols on the high places and the defiling the Temple. When Hezekiah took power at the age of 25, the first thing he did was to cleanse and reconsecrate the temple (2 Chronicles 29); then worship began anew. However, for the previous 200 years, since the division of the Kingdom, the Passover had not been kept. The tribes in the South and across the Jordan found at the trip too taxing to take and followed their own path. Israel, after the split, was very hostile to any idea of going to the hated the Judean city of Jerusalem to celebrate such a festival. Yet, Hezekiah was certain that honouring their heritage was a good way to refresh the relationship of the people with their God. “So they decreed to make a proclamation throughout all Israel from Beersheba to Dan, that the people should come and keep the Passover to the Lord, the God of Israel, at Jerusalem, for they had not kept it as often as prescribed” (2 Chronicles 30:5, ESV). Hezekiah and his leadership team decided to send couriers across the whole land to encourage Israelites from everywhere to celebrate this covenant of life and honour the Lord who made it possible (v.6-9). Hezekiah acted with wisdom and leadership in drawing the people of God back together in remembrance.
Yet, Hezekiah was certain that honouring their heritage was a good way to refresh the relationship of the people with their God. “So they decreed to make a proclamation throughout all Israel from Beersheba to Dan, that the people should come and keep the Passover to the Lord, the God of Israel, at Jerusalem, for they had not kept it as often as prescribed” (2 Chronicles 30:5, ESV). Hezekiah and his leadership team decided to send couriers across the whole land to encourage Israelites from everywhere to celebrate this covenant of life and honour the Lord who made it possible (v.6-9). Hezekiah acted with wisdom and leadership in drawing the people of God back together in remembrance.
Immediate Responses
However, as you read further in the chapter, you can begin to see that there were those who simply would not and could not be part of that covenantal renewal. Hezekiah was demonstrating exactly the kind of godly leadership that the people of God needed to experience. Yet there were those who mocked and made fun of that call to renewal (v.10). In spite of the mockery, there were those who found that the heart to join this renewal. It has been argued that this was a political ploy of the part of Hezekiah to draw all of Israel under his leadership and rule. However, scripture points out that, although many of them were ritually unclean, their eagerness, humble hearts and the Prayer of Hezekiah made them clean in the eyes of the Lord. Two immediate responses – on to deny the covenant, the other to humble themselves in that renewal. Political ploy on the part of Hezekiah? I think not. I would argue that this was good, godly leadership.
James noted in his letter to the churches: “And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to 1 another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working” (James 5:15-16, ESV). Hezekiah’s response to the “uncleanliness” was spot on – take it to the Lord in prayer. That would not be the only time Hezekiah used prayer to seek the Lord’s will for His people. “And every work that he undertook in the service of the House of God and in accordance with the law and the commandments, seeking his God, he did with all his heart, and prospered” (2 Chronicles 31:21, ESV).
Renewal
Have you ever experienced a time of distancing from the Lord, when he seems far away? Perhaps church is just a memory, and old times fade but leave a longing you cannot understand. Then comes a day when you find yourself darkening the door of a church perhaps the very one you left behind. Leading worship is a humble man, loving and giving, certainly a far cry from what you have experienced before – and suddenly you are home. Joy fills your heart, fellowship overflows, and the heart yearning you had forgotten is fulfilled. That is what happened when Hezekiah led the people back to the Lord in a Passover celebration it was so good, they agreed to a second week of celebration.
Believers must understand that renewal is as important as that first salvation experience, and the leaders who can foster that encourage growth, learning, and new ministries through the renewal that has that happened within the community. This is not about the leader, it is about hearts dedicated to the road and his purposes. Hezekiah was not anyone special; he sinned as well, but he did have a heart for God despite his own weaknesses.
Today
Since the 1950’s, we have experienced leadership that has challenged us nationally, state-wide, and even in the church. Hezekiah proved that the point that a leader with a humble heart can lead revitalization of even the most corrupt social structures into a revival of purpose, renewal of covenant, and reborn hearts that embrace the Lord. Paul told us: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of the God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2, ESV). Hezekiah was not conformed to his world; he changed his society back to the focus on godly living and covenantal relationships. He knew the will of God. He renewed his own mind and the minds of a nation. That is leadership indeed.
Hints for Teaching:
Lesson Goals:
- Identify faithful qualities of Hezekiah’s leadership.
- Strengthen the relationship with God through spiritual practices.
- Testify to God’s protection and guidance.
Teaching Activity:
Provide learners with a chart labelled: Hezekiah’s Actions; Spiritual Value; Leadership Trait. As a group, read through the passage and fill in the chart together. (E.g.: He invied all Israel to the Passover -> Inclusion -> Visionary Leadership) Discuss: How do these traits compare with leaders today? Next, invite a few pairs of people to a role play a “Return Invitation.” One plays the role of a modern-day Hezekiah; the other in someone who has grown spiritually distant. “Hezekiah” must invite the other to return to God using language from v.6-9 in their own words. Reflect: How did it feel to invite or to be invited? What barriers to returning did you imagine?
Looking Back:
Hezekiah's leadership in a return to celebrating Passover reminded us of the power of spiritual practises. Next, Hilkiah’s discovery will challenge us to prioritize active obedience to God’s Word.
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