Men's Ministry
Please read II Kings 20:12-15
7. The distance from Jerusalem to Babylon was about 520 miles as the crow flies. However, there is a great desert between these cities and, to avoid it, people traveled north along the Euphrates River and then headed south to Jerusalem. That’s more like 900 miles. Estimates are that it would take four to eight months to make this journey in those days. Can you think of a reason why these Babylonians would make such a long journey, especially considering that Judah was not a world power at the time? (Remember that Assyria was the dominant country and a great military threat at this time.)
8. Hezekiah showed the Babylonian envoys all his wealth. Why did Isaiah question Hezekiah about what was said and what was shown (see verses 14 and 15)? You may want to cross-check what it says in II Chronicles 32:25, which covers the same event.
9. Instead of showing the Babylonian envoys all his riches, what should he have done?
9. Instead of showing the Babylonian envoys all his riches, what should he have done?
Please read II Kings 20:16-21
10. Isaiah announced judgement on Hezekiah: all his wealth would be carried off to Babylon and even some of his own descendants would be taken captive. Do you think this judgement was appropriate considering that all Hezekiah did was show the Babylonians his treasures?
11. Isaiah pronounced judgement and Hezekiah said it was good. Why?
12. The pool and conduit mentioned in verse 20 is quite significant. It ensured fresh water in the city, even if they were under siege as they were by the Assyrians. It was rediscovered in 1880. Is this the reason God gave him an extra 15 years of life, because he earned it? If not, why did God do it?
13. Do you think Hezekiah made good use of his extra 15 years? Why or why not?
11. Isaiah pronounced judgement and Hezekiah said it was good. Why?
12. The pool and conduit mentioned in verse 20 is quite significant. It ensured fresh water in the city, even if they were under siege as they were by the Assyrians. It was rediscovered in 1880. Is this the reason God gave him an extra 15 years of life, because he earned it? If not, why did God do it?
13. Do you think Hezekiah made good use of his extra 15 years? Why or why not?
Please read II Kings 21:1-9
1. Manasseh became king at just 12 years old. How many years did God add to his father’s (Hezekiah) life? (See II Kings 20:6.) What is the unmistakable conclusion?
2. Manasseh was exceedingly evil according to these verses. However, his father was godly. Why do you think Manasseh was the opposite of his father? Was it his father’s fault? Whose fault was it?
3. Make a list of the despicable things that Manasseh did. There are at least nine.
4. Why didn't the people do something about Manasseh’s wicked policies? Couldn't they have at least boycotted his pagan altars? See II Chronicles 33:10 for the answer.
5. To whom is Manasseh compared? (There are two answers.) What do you know about those to whom he is being compared?
4. Why didn't the people do something about Manasseh’s wicked policies? Couldn't they have at least boycotted his pagan altars? See II Chronicles 33:10 for the answer.
5. To whom is Manasseh compared? (There are two answers.) What do you know about those to whom he is being compared?
Please read II Kings 21:10-1
6. God sent prophets (Joel, Nahum, Habakkuk, and Isaiah) to Judah. Their messages are summarized in verses 11 through 15. Since Manasseh was so evil, and since the people seemed to welcome his “reforms,” why would God send prophets? Why not let them suffer for\ rejecting Him?
7. What does God mean in verse 13 when He mentions “the measuring line of Samaria and the plumb line of the house of Ahab?”
8. What do you think verse 16 means, the part about innocent blood?
8. What do you think verse 16 means, the part about innocent blood?
Please read II Chronicles 33:10-13
9. The information from this passage (and verses 14-17) are not included in II Kings. What is the “therefore” in verse 11 there for?
10. What is the meaning of “hooks” in verse 11? Why do you think they needed “chains of bronze” in addition to the hooks?
11. Note that the Assyrians (north of Israel) took Manasseh to Babylon (west of Israel). This is because Assyria ruled both Nineveh and Babylon at this time. (Babylon would free itself a few years later.) While in Babylon, the light turned on in Manasseh’s brain and he realized he was in distress (verse 12). What was this distress? Was it being held captive in Babylon by the Assyrians or was it more than that?
12. You can read about the changes that Manasseh went through in II Chronicles 33:14-16. It’s important, however, to note verse 17: “Nevertheless, the people still sacrificed at the high places, but only to the Lord their God.” Manasseh’s earlier years had consequences! Can you tell of something you did that had later consequences, even though you repented? Perhaps the consequences are still apparent.
11. Note that the Assyrians (north of Israel) took Manasseh to Babylon (west of Israel). This is because Assyria ruled both Nineveh and Babylon at this time. (Babylon would free itself a few years later.) While in Babylon, the light turned on in Manasseh’s brain and he realized he was in distress (verse 12). What was this distress? Was it being held captive in Babylon by the Assyrians or was it more than that?
12. You can read about the changes that Manasseh went through in II Chronicles 33:14-16. It’s important, however, to note verse 17: “Nevertheless, the people still sacrificed at the high places, but only to the Lord their God.” Manasseh’s earlier years had consequences! Can you tell of something you did that had later consequences, even though you repented? Perhaps the consequences are still apparent.