21:9) because it had become an idolatrous object (see 2 Kgs. He also took the bold step of having the brass serpent of Moses destroyed (see Num. He told all the priests, “Sanctify now yourselves, and sanctify the house of the Lord God of your fathers, and carry forth the filthiness out of the holy place” (2 Chron. His first act as king was to order the repair and reopening of the temple at Jerusalem, which had been looted and defiled by his father. Hezekiah’s goal was to cleanse his kingdom of all idolatry. His life provides an important lesson for anyone facing the inevitable event of mortal death.

However, when his greatest test in life came, he faltered, leaving a tarnished legacy and laying the foundation for the eventual scattering and destruction of his people. Hezekiah’s life is a study in courage and faithfulness before the Lord in the face of extreme opposition. Hezekiah reigned 29 years (about 726–697 B.C.), sustained by the inspired counsel of the great prophet Isaiah. … And the Lord was with him and he prospered whithersoever he went forth” ( 2 Kgs. “He trusted in the Lord God of Israel … kept his commandments.

Yet Hezekiah rose above that influence to become a zealous religious and political reformer.

His teen years were filled with impressions from the lifestyle of his wicked and idolatrous father, King Ahaz (see 2 Kgs.

Age of wonders 3 tunneling