Men's Ministry
Please read II Kings 20:1-7
1. When Hezekiah was 39 years old (compare II Kings 18:2 with II Kings 20:6), he got sick and Isaiah told him that he would die. What was Hezekiah’s response? What was the focus of his response? What did he ask for in his prayer?
2. Why was Hezekiah so devastated by this news (he wept bitterly)? Why should modern day Christians not be devastated by news like this?
3. Isaiah turned to leave after giving Hezekiah the bad news but, before he got out of the middle court, the Lord instructed him to go back and tell Hezekiah that he would be healed and that he’d live another fifteen years. Why did God change His mind about Hezekiah's death? I thought He was immutable (unchangeable).
2. Why was Hezekiah so devastated by this news (he wept bitterly)? Why should modern day Christians not be devastated by news like this?
3. Isaiah turned to leave after giving Hezekiah the bad news but, before he got out of the middle court, the Lord instructed him to go back and tell Hezekiah that he would be healed and that he’d live another fifteen years. Why did God change His mind about Hezekiah's death? I thought He was immutable (unchangeable).
Please read II Kings 20:8-11
4. Why did Hezekiah ask for a sign? Did he not believe the word of the Lord?
5. God’s message to Hezekiah could have been, “I said it and you better believe it. How dare you not take My word for it?” What was God’s message (through Isaiah)? What attribute of God is displayed here?
6. Hezekiah asked for the shadow to go backward on the steps. How do you think God did this?
6. Hezekiah asked for the shadow to go backward on the steps. How do you think God did this?
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?
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?