At the beginning of the new year, many of us set new goals for ourselves.
Often those goals involve reforming previous habits or goals that we succumbed to over the previous year(s). Examples include changing our diet, starting or revising our exercise routine, and saving more finances.
Many start strong at the beginning of a new year but quickly fall away from their goals before the month is even over.
But one doesn’t have to set these goals only at the beginning of the year.
These types of goals are useful any time of year.
The key is to think less about the year and focus on each day’s habits.
I believe this is especially true with our spiritual reformation goals.
Are you ready for reformation in a spiritual sense?
Join me as we study 2 Kings 18:1-16, where Hezekiah takes sweeping reformative actions when he becomes king of Judah.
Are You Ready for Reformation?
A Study of 2 Kings 18:1-16 | Study Questions
In the third year of Hoshea son of Elah, king of Israel, Hezekiah the son of Ahaz, king of Judah, began to reign. 2 He was twenty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Abi the daughter of Zechariah. 3 And he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, according to all that David his father had done.[1]
How is Hezekiah different from his father Ahaz according to 2 Kings 16:1-2?
He removed the high places and broke the pillars and cut down the Asherah. And he broke in pieces the bronze serpent that Moses had made, for until those days the people of Israel had made offerings to it (it was called Nehushtan).[2]
What reforms did Hezekiah take in contrast to his father Ahaz’s practices in 2 Kings 16:3-4?
He trusted in the Lord, the God of Israel, so that there was none like him among all the kings of Judah after him, nor among those who were before him. 6 For he held fast to the Lord. He did not depart from following him, but kept the commandments that the Lord commanded Moses.[3]
What motivated Hezekiah to make the reforms he chose during his reign as king of Judah?
And the Lord was with him; wherever he went out, he prospered. He rebelled against the king of Assyria and would not serve him. 8 He struck down the Philistines as far as Gaza and its territory, from watchtower to fortified city. [4]
How did the Lord view and support Hezekiah?
2 Kings 18:9-12 turns attention from King Hezekiah of Judah to what is happening to the northern tribes of Israel at the hands of Shalmaneser, king of Assyria.
The king of Assyria carried the Israelites away to Assyria and put them in Halah, and on the Habor, the river of Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes, 12 because they did not obey the voice of the Lord their God but transgressed his covenant, even all that Moses the servant of the Lord commanded. They neither listened nor obeyed. [5]
List the reasons provided for why the king of Assyria attacked and conquered the northern tribes of Israel.
Why are we told about this situation in Israel at this point in 2 Kings 18? (see 2 Kings 18:7)
Ten years later, a new Assyrian king turns his attention toward Judah after having conquered the northern tribes.
In the fourteenth year of King Hezekiah, Sennacherib king of Assyria came up against all the fortified cities of Judah and took them. 14 And Hezekiah king of Judah sent to the king of Assyria at Lachish, saying, “I have done wrong; withdraw from me. Whatever you impose on me I will bear.” And the king of Assyria required of Hezekiah king of Judah three hundred talents of silver and thirty talents of gold.[6]
What relationship existed between Judah and the Assyrians prior to this? (See 2 Kings 16:7-18.)
Why was Hezekiah doing wrong against the Assyrian king? (See 2 Kings 18:7)
And Hezekiah gave him all the silver that was found in the house of the Lord and in the treasuries of the king’s house. 16 At that time Hezekiah stripped the gold from the doors of the temple of the Lord and from the doorposts that Hezekiah king of Judah had overlaid and gave it to the king of Assyria.[7]
How did Hezekiah respond to the requirement issued by the king of Assyria?
What motivated Hezekiah to pay tribute after having rebelled against the previous treaty established by his father Ahaz?
Was this a sign of unfaithfulness to the Lord? Why or why not?
Are You Ready for Reformation?
A Study of 2 Kings 18:1-16 | Application Questions
What did you learn from Hezekiah’s heart for the Lord that can help you reform your own spiritual habits?
Hezekiah is an example of someone who set about restoring and reforming the worship of the Lord for the nation of Judah. How have you sought to restore and reform your own worship of the Lord as an example for those around you?
Have you ever made a mistake in your own zeal to worship the Lord like Hezekiah did when he rebelled against the Assyrians? What were the consequences?
How could Hezekiah have handled the situation with the Assyrians differently?
What could you have done differently in your own situation?
How does this passage reveal God’s patience, mercy, and justice?
Heavenly Father, creator of heaven and earth, the giver of breath and spirit to all the people on earth, help us acknowledge you and see your righteousness. Help us receive your guidance and protection. Teach us to worship You alone and live in such a way that we attract others to You rather than overstep and stir up anger against You.
Thank you in advance for the courage to live faithful lives that enable others to see our spiritually reformed way of life with You as our leader. May they see our faithfulness to You in all we do. We thank you for your daily provision and mercy so that we may avoid being under or overzealous.
Forgive us, Lord, when we stray and draw us quickly back to you to acknowledge our waywardness. Thank you for your lavish grace.
Teach us your ways from scripture, oh Lord. Help us seek your counsel daily so that we may honor and show our love to you, our Holy Lord. Amen.
Write a prayer to the Lord in the comments below to encourage others.
Warmly,
Barbara Lynn
[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), 2 Ki 18:1–3.
[2] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), 2 Ki 18:4.
[3] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), 2 Ki 18:5–6.
[4] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), 2 Ki 18:7–8.
[5] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), 2 Ki 18:11–12.
[6] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), 2 Ki 18:13–14.
[7] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), 2 Ki 18:15–16.
Heavenly Father, help us to live in such a way that others will experience the love of Christ through us. Forgive us when we are judgemental or critical of others. Thank you for your promises in your word and that you keep every one. Thank you that when we experience tough times, you are present to help us through those times. In Jesus name I pray. Amen
Thanks for this prayer!