REFORMATION IN THE REIGN OF KING HEZEKIAH: SOME LESSONS FOR TODAY

As Protestants, we rejoice in the great Reformation of the 16th century, when, through Martin Luther's conversion, the glorious Gospel of salvation by faith alone in Christ alone once more had free course throughout Europe and beyond, thus dispelling centuries of spiritual darkness and superstition. In our national and church life today, conditions are very similar to those which prevailed in Europe just before the Reformation, and we desperately need not only another Revival but another Reformation. The Protestant Reformation has its parallels in a number of similar reformations which occurred during Bible times and, in all cases, we find that both the prevailing conditions and the remedies are very similar. Let us by way of example look briefly at the Reformation under King Hezekiah as it is recounted for us in 2 Chronicles chapters 29 - 31.

1. Spiritual rottenness. Under Hezekiah's ungodly father King Ahaz, the land of Judah had departed from God and wandered into idolatry and sin. 2 Chronicles 29:7 sets out four key areas of decline in the church. The doors of the porch of the temple were shut; the lamps were extinguished; incense was no longer burned; no burnt offerings were made. These symptoms are symbolic of those in the professing church today. Many churches are shut or in terminal decline, and some of those that are open do not proclaim the light of God's truth. That light is to be found in the reading and preaching of the Word of God, which is a lamp unto our feet and a light to our path (Psalm 119:105). The Bible, and the Bible alone, brings light, and its absence brings darkness. Incense speaks of prayer, and, with a few exceptions, the church seems to have lost the power of prayer. Indeed, the prayer meeting attracts only small numbers and some churches have abandoned it altogether. The sacrifice of animals in the Old Testament reminded people that sin could only be dealt with by the shedding of blood and death. It points us to the Gospel, where Christ, the Lamb of God, was sacrificed to appease God's wrath and to open up a way of reconciliation between sinful man and a holy God. Paul, writing to the church in Corinth, said that while some seek a sign and some wisdom, he preached "Christ crucified". When a church abandons the preaching of this Gospel, it has surely lost its way. The conditions in the church were reflected in the nation, for in chapter 31:1, we read that the land was also plagued by idolatry and false religion.

2. A strong response. Hezekiah was a good man who "did that which was right in the sight of the Lord" (29:2) and who led by example. He urged the priests and Levites, many of whom had backslidden, to live godly and proper lives, and reminded them of their great privileges as servants of the Lord. In 29:5, he urged them to sanctify themselves. The Bible tells us that all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags. We can't make ourselves holy. We need to be made holy by the righteousness of Christ. There is no other way. We are only sanctified when we have been washed in the Blood of the Lamb. If we are saved, and trusting in Christ, then it is our duty, and it ought to be our desire, to live holy lives. Note too, in verse 11, that Hezekiah warned against negligence. As Christians, we must be very attentive to our duties and to our daily walk. If we "talk the talk" but don't "walk the walk", then we are mere hypocrites.

3. A spiritual remnant. In chapter 29:12-14, we see that only 14 Levites responded to Hezekiah. But Scripture and church history repeatedly teach us that the Lord will use a faithful remnant. Let's not get too worried about numbers!

4. A solid reformation.  From chapter 29:12 and into chapters 30 and 31 we read of the results of Hezekiah's leadership and the obedient response of the leaders. All that was sinful and idolatrous in the church was removed, and true Gospel worship properly restored. The people were so enthralled and affected by the observance of the Feast of the Passover that they could not tolerate sin in any shape or form. The church had been cleansed and purified, and the images, the groves, the high places and the altars torn down across the nation. As obedient Christians, we have a duty to confront and expose all forms of false religion. In the account of Hezekiah's Reformation in 2 Kings, we read in chapter 18:4 that even the brazen serpent, made by Moses under God's instruction in the wilderness and a shadow and type of the crucified Christ, was destroyed. It had had a good and proper function, but over time it had become a relic. This surely is a profound example of the dangers of Romanism and its obsession with "Christian relics". Dr Paisley recently said that "more and more Rome is returning to relics, the darkness of the pre Reformation ages.  Rome's language is guarded but relics are not condemned or rejected but rather honoured and revered". We must warn people of the dangers of Romanism and all other false religions which usurp the place of Christ, but there are many other idols which need to be torn down too. Society today worships at the shrines of selfishness, greed, lust, money, hedonism and possessions. Perhaps, even as believers, we might occasionally pay our respects at some of these shrines. May we say with William Cowper, "the dearest idol I have known, whate'er that idol be; help me to tear it from thy throne and worship only Thee".

5. A sudden reformation. Finally, in chapter 29:36, it is encouraging to read that the Reformation happened "suddenly". It is a well-known saying that the "darkest hour is just before dawn", and so, while things today are bleak, we must keep pressing on and keep praying to God to revive His work "in the midst of the years" (Habakkuk 3:2). It has happened before and it can happen again. Let us learn the lessons of Hezekiah's reign, and apply them to 2006.