Hezekiah began reigning in approx 715 BC (there are some
issues and problems with the chronology of this OT period) and ruled for 29
years.
Regarding his faith Hezekiah was the greatest king of Judah (v
5). He did not depart from Yahweh later in life (v 6). Consequently God's
blessing rested on him (v 7; cf 2Ki 18 -- 20). His rebellion against Sennacherib
(v 7) precipitated Assyria's invasion of Judah (2Ki 18:3 -- 19:36). This was a
reversal of his father Ahaz's policy of allying with Assyria (2Ki 16:7-9).
Hezekiah as a type of the Messiah:
A child of promise ("Immanuel"), his great work was prophesied
beforehand.
He came to a nation estranged from God.
He cleansed the
temple of God, and sanctified the priests for renewed worship.
He called
worshipers from the north and from Jerusalem to keep a new Passover.
Even
the defiled were accepted through his faith and merits and prayers.
He
offered sacrifices for himself and for the people.
He provided living water
("Siloam", Hezekiah's Conduit) to a people ready to perish.
He was afflicted
with an incurable sickness (possibly leprosy -- the "sin-disease"), and
was in danger of dying without a "seed".
But by a mighty manifestation of
the Glory of the Lord, he was miraculously healed on the third day.
The
great Invading Adversary was destroyed, and Israel was saved, through his
faith.
Afterward, the Land was freed from its enemies, the captives and
exiles were restored...
...And the king was acknowledged as the Anointed of
Yahweh by all nations.
2Ch 29:3
IN THE FIRST MONTH OF THE FIRST YEAR OF HIS REIGN: At
the very beginning! Hezekiah had been planning this reformation for some time,
while he chafed under the increasingly corrupt regime of his father Ahaz.
Ahaz had closed the temple and had set up other centers of
worship throughout the land (2Ch 28:24-25). Hezekiah reopened the temple and
cleansed it in preparation for reusing it (vv 3, 5). Whereas the writer of Kings
described Hezekiah's religious reforms in only one verse: 2Ki 18:4), the
chronicler devoted three chapter to them (2Ch 29 -- 31). Hezekiah wanted to
rededicate the nation to God (v 10).
HE OPENED THE DOORS OF THE TEMPLE OF THE LORD AND REPAIRED
THEM: "What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open"
(Isa 22:22).
Open doors: for restored communion (2Ch 29:3); deliverance
from prison (Act 5:19); surrender (Rev 3:20); service (1Co 16:9); and
opportunity (Rev 3:8).
Shut doors: for safety (Gen 7:16); privacy and communion (Mat
6:6); faith and prayer (2Ki 4:5,21,33); self-sufficiency (Rev 3:20); and
separation and rejection (Mat 25:10).
2Ch 29:11
NEGLIGENT: Sw is elsewhere translated "deceive" (or
"deceitful"). We must take this to heart as we are also "chosen to stand before
Him". Consider Gal 6:7,8 in this context.
2Ch 29:16
THE LEVITES TOOK IT AND CARRIED IT OUT TO THE KIDRON
VALLEY: Cp 2Ch 30:14. Idols cast into the Kedron. Cp idols buried under the
oak at Shechem (Gen 35:4; Jos 24:23-26).
2Ch 29:35
THE SERVICE OF THE TEMPLE OF THE LORD WAS
REESTABLISHED: Or "set in order" (AV). Setting "in order" is a significant
thing in the service of God: Gen 22:9; Exo 26:17; 39:37; 40:4,23; Lev 1:7;,8,12;
6:12; 24:8; 1Ki 18:33; 2Ki 20:1; 2Ch 13:11; 29:35; Eze 41:6; Acts 18:23; 1Co
11:34; 14:40; Tit 1:5.