WEBVTT NOTE This file was generated by Descript 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.930 Emily: Welcome To Immerse: The Daily Bible Reading Experience. 00:00:03.010 --> 00:00:04.640 Day 300 and 46. 00:00:05.000 --> 00:00:09.530 King Hezekiah now sent word to all Israel and Judah, and he 00:00:09.535 --> 00:00:13.400 wrote letters of invitation to the people of Raim and Manasa. 00:00:14.030 --> 00:00:17.900 He asked everyone to come to the temple of the Lord at Jerusalem to 00:00:17.905 --> 00:00:23.420 celebrate the Passover of the Lord, the God of Israel, the king, his 00:00:23.420 --> 00:00:27.680 officials, and all the community of Jerusalem decided to celebrate 00:00:27.680 --> 00:00:29.780 Passover a month later than usual. 00:00:30.575 --> 00:00:35.075 They were unable to celebrate it at the prescribed time because not enough priests 00:00:35.075 --> 00:00:39.695 could be purified by then, and the people had not yet assembled at Jerusalem. 00:00:41.225 --> 00:00:45.545 This plan for keeping the Passover seemed right to the king and all the people, 00:00:46.355 --> 00:00:51.245 so they sent a proclamation throughout all Israel, from bi Shiba in the South 00:00:51.305 --> 00:00:56.195 to Dan in the north, inviting everyone to come to Jerusalem to celebrate the 00:00:56.195 --> 00:00:58.985 Passover of the Lord, the God of Israel. 00:00:59.825 --> 00:01:03.395 The people had not been celebrating it in great numbers as required in 00:01:03.395 --> 00:01:09.035 the law at the King's Command, runners were sent throughout Israel and Judah. 00:01:09.905 --> 00:01:15.245 They carried letters that said, oh, people of Israel return to the 00:01:15.250 --> 00:01:20.735 Lord the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, so that he will return 00:01:20.735 --> 00:01:24.605 to the few of us who have survived the conquest of the Assyrian Kings. 00:01:25.535 --> 00:01:29.375 Do not be like your ancestors and relatives who abandoned the 00:01:29.375 --> 00:01:34.025 Lord, the God of their ancestors, and became an object of derision. 00:01:34.265 --> 00:01:39.725 As you yourselves can see, do not be stubborn as they were, but 00:01:39.725 --> 00:01:41.495 submit yourselves to the Lord. 00:01:42.185 --> 00:01:46.295 Come to his temple, which he has set apart as holy forever. 00:01:46.955 --> 00:01:51.395 Worship the Lord your God, so that his fierce anger will turn away from you. 00:01:52.295 --> 00:01:56.645 For if you return to the Lord, your relatives and your children will be 00:01:56.645 --> 00:02:01.625 treated mercifully by their captors and they will be able to return to this land. 00:02:02.375 --> 00:02:03.035 For the Lord. 00:02:03.035 --> 00:02:05.285 Your God is gracious and merciful. 00:02:05.885 --> 00:02:10.355 If you return to him, he will not continue to turn his face from you. 00:02:11.225 --> 00:02:15.965 The runners went from town to town throughout Raam and Manasa, and as 00:02:15.965 --> 00:02:20.795 far as the territory of Zebulon, But most of the people just laughed at 00:02:20.795 --> 00:02:22.415 the runners and made fun of them. 00:02:23.015 --> 00:02:27.575 However, some people from Asher Manasa and Zebulun humbled 00:02:27.575 --> 00:02:29.495 themselves and went to Jerusalem. 00:02:30.725 --> 00:02:35.915 At the same time, God's hand was on the people in the land of Judah, giving 00:02:35.915 --> 00:02:40.265 them all one heart to obey the orders of the king and his officials who 00:02:40.265 --> 00:02:41.945 were following the word of the Lord. 00:02:42.905 --> 00:02:47.285 So a huge crowd assembled at Jerusalem in mid-Spring to celebrate 00:02:47.285 --> 00:02:49.145 the festival of Unleavened bread. 00:02:50.015 --> 00:02:53.495 They set to work and removed the pagan altars from Jerusalem. 00:02:54.215 --> 00:02:58.655 They took away all the incense altars and threw them into the Kidron Valley 00:02:59.095 --> 00:03:02.195 on the 14th day of the second month. 00:03:02.465 --> 00:03:06.545 One month later than usual, the people slaughtered the Passover Lamb. 00:03:07.220 --> 00:03:11.870 This shamed the priests and Levites, so they purified themselves and brought 00:03:11.870 --> 00:03:14.090 burnt offerings to the temple of the Lord. 00:03:14.810 --> 00:03:18.170 Then they took their places at the temple as prescribed in the 00:03:18.170 --> 00:03:20.330 law of Moses, the man of God. 00:03:21.080 --> 00:03:24.530 The Levites brought the sacrificial blood to the priests who then 00:03:24.530 --> 00:03:25.910 sprinkled it on the altar. 00:03:26.660 --> 00:03:30.710 Since many of the people had not purified themselves, the Levites had 00:03:30.710 --> 00:03:34.760 to slaughter their Passover lamb for them to set them apart for the Lord. 00:03:35.495 --> 00:03:41.165 Most of those who came from Efraim, Manasa, Zakar, and Zebulun had not 00:03:41.170 --> 00:03:46.415 purified themselves, but King Hezekiah prayed for them, and they were allowed 00:03:46.415 --> 00:03:48.305 to eat the Passover meal anyway. 00:03:48.695 --> 00:03:54.005 Even though this was contrary to the requirements of the law for Hezekiah said. 00:03:54.890 --> 00:04:00.350 May the Lord who is good, pardon those who decide to follow the Lord, the God 00:04:00.350 --> 00:04:04.910 of their ancestors, even though they are not properly cleansed for the ceremony. 00:04:05.960 --> 00:04:09.650 And the Lord listened to hezekiah's prayer and healed the people. 00:04:10.280 --> 00:04:14.300 So the people of Israel who were present in Jerusalem, joyously 00:04:14.300 --> 00:04:17.690 celebrated the festival of unleavened bread for seven days. 00:04:19.040 --> 00:04:24.350 Each day, the Levites and priests sang to the Lord accompanied by loud instruments. 00:04:25.130 --> 00:04:28.280 Hezekiah encouraged all the Levites regarding the skill they 00:04:28.280 --> 00:04:30.080 displayed as they served the Lord. 00:04:30.980 --> 00:04:33.500 The celebration continued for seven days. 00:04:34.160 --> 00:04:37.850 Peace offerings were sacrificed and the people gave thanks to the 00:04:37.850 --> 00:04:40.310 Lord the God of their ancestors. 00:04:41.690 --> 00:04:46.670 The entire assembly then decided to continue the festival another seven days. 00:04:47.285 --> 00:04:49.865 So they celebrated joyfully for another week. 00:04:50.825 --> 00:04:56.675 King Hezekiah gave the people 1000 bulls and 7,000 sheep and goats for 00:04:56.675 --> 00:05:02.915 offerings, and the officials donated 1000 bulls and 10,000 sheep and goats. 00:05:03.575 --> 00:05:07.085 Meanwhile, many more priests purified themselves. 00:05:08.585 --> 00:05:14.285 The entire assembly of Judah rejoiced, including the priests, the Levites, all 00:05:14.285 --> 00:05:18.725 who came from the land of Israel, the foreigners who came to the festival, 00:05:18.965 --> 00:05:20.975 and all those who lived in Judah. 00:05:21.935 --> 00:05:25.175 There was great joy in the city for Jerusalem. 00:05:25.175 --> 00:05:28.445 Had not seen a celebration like this one since the days 00:05:28.445 --> 00:05:30.905 of Solomon King, David's son. 00:05:31.955 --> 00:05:35.195 Then the priest and levies stood and blessed the people. 00:05:35.930 --> 00:05:41.450 And God heard their prayer from his holy dwelling in heaven when the festival 00:05:41.450 --> 00:05:47.060 ended, the Israelites who attended went to all the towns of Judah, Benjamin, 00:05:48.110 --> 00:05:54.110 Raim, and Manasa, and they smashed all the sacred pillars, cut down Thera poles, 00:05:54.440 --> 00:05:56.870 and removed the pagan shrines and altars. 00:05:57.800 --> 00:06:01.790 After this, the Israelites returned to their own towns and homes. 00:06:03.275 --> 00:06:07.475 Hezekiah then organized the priests and Levites into divisions to offer the 00:06:07.475 --> 00:06:12.275 burnt offerings and peace offerings and to worship and give thanks and praise 00:06:12.275 --> 00:06:14.225 to the Lord at the gates of the temple. 00:06:15.455 --> 00:06:19.655 The king also made a personal contribution of animals for the daily, morning and 00:06:19.655 --> 00:06:24.575 evening burnt offerings, the weekly Sabbath festivals, the monthly new 00:06:24.575 --> 00:06:29.435 moon festivals and the annual festivals as prescribed in the law of the Lord. 00:06:30.080 --> 00:06:34.370 In addition, he required the people in Jerusalem to bring a portion of 00:06:34.370 --> 00:06:38.510 their goods to the priests and Levites so they could devote themselves 00:06:38.510 --> 00:06:40.100 fully to the law of the Lord. 00:06:41.360 --> 00:06:45.980 When the people of Israel heard these requirements, they responded generously 00:06:45.980 --> 00:06:51.410 by bringing the first share of their grain, new wine, olive oil, honey, 00:06:51.620 --> 00:06:53.510 and all the produce of their fields. 00:06:54.020 --> 00:06:57.620 They brought a large quantity, a tithe of all they produced. 00:06:58.145 --> 00:07:02.015 The people who had moved to Judah from Israel and the people of Judah 00:07:02.015 --> 00:07:06.485 themselves brought in the tithes of their cattle, sheep, and goats, and 00:07:06.485 --> 00:07:10.625 a tithe of the things that had been dedicated to the Lord their God, and 00:07:10.625 --> 00:07:12.545 they piled them up in great heaps. 00:07:13.325 --> 00:07:18.365 They began piling them up in late spring, and the heaps continued to grow until 00:07:18.365 --> 00:07:24.035 early autumn when Hezekiah and his officials came and saw these huge piles. 00:07:24.515 --> 00:07:27.215 They thanked the Lord and his people, Israel. 00:07:28.490 --> 00:07:30.410 Where did all this come from? 00:07:31.040 --> 00:07:35.990 Hezekiah asked the priests and Levites and Azariah, the high priest 00:07:36.350 --> 00:07:38.750 from the family of Zadak replied. 00:07:39.200 --> 00:07:43.400 Since the people began bringing their gifts to the Lord's temple, we have 00:07:43.405 --> 00:07:45.890 had enough to eat and plenty to spare. 00:07:46.340 --> 00:07:50.210 The Lord has blessed his people and all this is left over. 00:07:51.410 --> 00:07:55.000 Hezekiah ordered that store rooms be prepared in the temple of the Lord. 00:07:56.105 --> 00:07:59.975 When this was done, the people faithfully brought all the gifts, 00:08:00.065 --> 00:08:06.065 tithes, and other items dedicated for use in the temple Kanaya. 00:08:06.065 --> 00:08:09.515 The Levite was put in charge assisted by his brother Shiai. 00:08:10.115 --> 00:08:14.315 The supervisors under them were Jha, za Neha, 00:08:16.745 --> 00:08:19.205 jeremo Jaws, aba iel. 00:08:19.820 --> 00:08:22.280 Is Macia, Meha and bene. 00:08:23.210 --> 00:08:28.280 These appointments were made by King Hezekiah and Azariah, the chief official 00:08:28.280 --> 00:08:34.370 in the Temple of God, Cory son of Imna, the Levite, who was the gatekeeper at 00:08:34.370 --> 00:08:38.750 the East Gate, was put in charge of distributing the voluntary offerings 00:08:38.750 --> 00:08:43.370 given to God, the gifts and the things that had been dedicated to the Lord. 00:08:44.060 --> 00:08:52.250 His faithful assistance were Eden, Minya, JE Shema, Amiah, and Aya. 00:08:52.850 --> 00:08:57.020 They distributed the gifts among the families of priests in their towns by 00:08:57.020 --> 00:09:01.670 their divisions, dividing the gifts fairly among old and young alike. 00:09:02.300 --> 00:09:07.310 They distributed the gifts to all males, three years old or older, regardless of 00:09:07.310 --> 00:09:09.440 their place in the genealogical records. 00:09:10.370 --> 00:09:13.820 The distribution went to all who would come to the Lord's Temple 00:09:14.060 --> 00:09:15.800 to perform their daily duties. 00:09:15.800 --> 00:09:20.000 According to their divisions, they distributed gifts to the priests 00:09:20.000 --> 00:09:24.020 who were listed by their families in the genealogical records and 00:09:24.025 --> 00:09:28.130 to the Levites, 20 years old or older, who were listed according 00:09:28.130 --> 00:09:29.930 to their jobs and their divisions. 00:09:30.890 --> 00:09:34.640 Food allotments were also given to the families of all those listed 00:09:34.640 --> 00:09:38.150 in the genealogical records, including their little babies. 00:09:38.660 --> 00:09:44.750 Wives, sons and daughters, for they had all been faithful in purifying themselves. 00:09:45.800 --> 00:09:50.750 As for the priests, the descendants of Aaron who were living in the open villages 00:09:50.750 --> 00:09:56.390 around the towns, men were appointed by name to distribute portions to every male 00:09:56.390 --> 00:10:01.130 among the priests and to all the Levites listed in the genealogical records. 00:10:02.030 --> 00:10:06.710 In this way, king Hezekiah handled the distribution throughout all Judah. 00:10:07.280 --> 00:10:12.080 Doing what was pleasing and good in the sight of the Lord his God in all 00:10:12.085 --> 00:10:16.100 that he did in the service of the temple of God, and in his efforts 00:10:16.100 --> 00:10:21.470 to follow God's laws and commands, Hezekiah sought his God wholeheartedly. 00:10:22.010 --> 00:10:22.910 As a result. 00:10:23.090 --> 00:10:29.540 He was very successful after Hezekiah had faithfully carried out this work. 00:10:29.960 --> 00:10:32.960 King Sinna of Assyria invaded Judah. 00:10:33.995 --> 00:10:37.985 He laid siege to the fortified towns giving orders for his army 00:10:37.985 --> 00:10:39.335 to break through their walls. 00:10:40.115 --> 00:10:45.485 When Hezekiah realized that Sennacherib also intended to attack Jerusalem, he 00:10:45.485 --> 00:10:50.375 consulted with his officials and military advisors and they decided to stop the 00:10:50.375 --> 00:10:52.445 flow of the springs outside the city. 00:10:52.955 --> 00:10:56.795 They organized a huge work crew to stop the flow of the springs 00:10:57.005 --> 00:11:00.635 cutting off the brook that ran through the fields for they said. 00:11:01.100 --> 00:11:05.090 Why should the kings of Assyria come here and find plenty of water? 00:11:06.230 --> 00:11:10.760 Then Hezekiah worked hard at repairing all the broken sections of the wall, 00:11:11.060 --> 00:11:15.470 erecting towers, and constructing a second wall outside the first. 00:11:16.130 --> 00:11:21.320 He also reinforced the supporting terraces in the city of David and manufactured 00:11:21.320 --> 00:11:23.600 large numbers of weapons and shields. 00:11:24.320 --> 00:11:28.640 He appointed military officers over the people and assembled them before 00:11:28.640 --> 00:11:30.590 him in the square at the city gate. 00:11:31.085 --> 00:11:36.095 Then Hezekiah encouraged them by saying, be strong and courageous. 00:11:36.335 --> 00:11:41.345 Don't be afraid or discouraged because of the King of Assyria or his mighty army. 00:11:41.795 --> 00:11:44.825 For there is a power far greater on our side. 00:11:45.245 --> 00:11:48.455 He may have a great army, but they are merely men. 00:11:49.055 --> 00:11:53.705 We have the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles for us. 00:11:55.055 --> 00:11:57.485 Hezekiah's words greatly encouraged the people. 00:11:58.610 --> 00:12:03.710 While King Sinna of Assyria was still besieging the town of Laish, 00:12:04.160 --> 00:12:07.970 he sent his officers to Jerusalem with this message for Hezekiah 00:12:08.030 --> 00:12:09.620 and all the people in the city. 00:12:11.030 --> 00:12:14.270 This is what King Sinna of Assyria says. 00:12:15.350 --> 00:12:18.320 What are you trusting in that makes you think you can 00:12:18.320 --> 00:12:20.330 survive my siege of Jerusalem? 00:12:21.560 --> 00:12:26.420 Hezekiah has said the Lord, our God will rescue us from the King of Assyria. 00:12:27.245 --> 00:12:31.325 Surely Hezekiah is misleading you, sentencing you to 00:12:31.325 --> 00:12:33.185 death by famine and thirst. 00:12:33.935 --> 00:12:38.045 Don't you realize that Hezekiah is the very person who destroyed 00:12:38.045 --> 00:12:40.025 all the Lord's shrines and altars? 00:12:40.415 --> 00:12:45.335 He commanded Judah and Jerusalem to worship only at the altar, at the temple, 00:12:45.515 --> 00:12:48.215 and to offer sacrifices on it alone. 00:12:48.755 --> 00:12:53.825 Surely, you must realize what I and the other kings of Assyria before me have 00:12:53.825 --> 00:12:55.805 done to all the people of the earth. 00:12:56.510 --> 00:13:00.770 Were any of the gods of those nations able to rescue their people from 00:13:00.770 --> 00:13:05.870 my power, which of their gods was able to rescue Its people from the 00:13:05.870 --> 00:13:08.240 destructive power of my predecessors. 00:13:08.630 --> 00:13:11.960 What makes you think your God can rescue you from me? 00:13:12.440 --> 00:13:14.570 Don't let Hezekiah deceive you. 00:13:14.990 --> 00:13:16.940 Don't let him fool you like this. 00:13:17.300 --> 00:13:18.380 I Say it again. 00:13:18.920 --> 00:13:23.870 No God of any nation or kingdom has ever yet been able to rescue 00:13:23.870 --> 00:13:26.960 his people from me or my ancestors. 00:13:27.260 --> 00:13:32.510 How much less will your God rescue you From my power and Sinna Kari's 00:13:32.510 --> 00:13:36.710 officers further mocked the Lord God and his servant Hezekiah, 00:13:37.220 --> 00:13:39.290 keeping insult upon insult. 00:13:40.160 --> 00:13:44.360 The king also sent letters scorning, the Lord, the God of Israel. 00:13:44.840 --> 00:13:45.620 He wrote. 00:13:46.250 --> 00:13:50.030 Just as the gods of all the other nations failed to rescue 00:13:50.030 --> 00:13:51.800 their people from my power. 00:13:52.190 --> 00:13:55.130 So the God of Hezekiah will also fail. 00:13:56.270 --> 00:14:00.080 The Assyrian officials who brought the letters shouted this in Hebrew to 00:14:00.080 --> 00:14:04.610 the people gathered on the walls of the city trying to terrify them so it 00:14:04.610 --> 00:14:06.560 would be easier to capture the city. 00:14:07.280 --> 00:14:11.480 These officers talked about the God of Jerusalem as though he were one of 00:14:11.480 --> 00:14:14.450 the pagan gods made by human hands. 00:14:15.740 --> 00:14:21.170 Then King Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah, son of amass cried out in prayer 00:14:21.170 --> 00:14:26.900 to God in heaven, and the Lord sent an angel who destroyed the Assyrian army 00:14:26.960 --> 00:14:29.330 with all its commanders and officers. 00:14:29.750 --> 00:14:34.520 So Sinna was forced to return home in disgrace to his own land. 00:14:35.060 --> 00:14:38.990 And when he entered the temple of his God, some of his own sons 00:14:39.020 --> 00:14:40.730 killed him there with a sword. 00:14:41.675 --> 00:14:46.595 That is how the Lord rescued Hezekiah and the people of Jerusalem from King 00:14:46.595 --> 00:14:51.845 Sennacherib of Assyria, and from all the others who threatened them, so 00:14:51.845 --> 00:14:53.495 there was peace throughout the land. 00:14:54.005 --> 00:14:58.895 From then on, king Hezekiah became highly respected among all the surrounding 00:14:58.900 --> 00:15:04.085 nations, and many gifts for the Lord arrived at Jerusalem with valuable 00:15:04.085 --> 00:15:06.125 presence for King Hezekiah too. 00:15:07.715 --> 00:15:10.925 About that time, Hezekiah became deathly ill. 00:15:11.705 --> 00:15:17.735 He prayed to the Lord who healed him and gave him a miraculous sign, but Hezekiah 00:15:17.735 --> 00:15:22.595 did not respond appropriately to the kindness shown him, and he became proud. 00:15:23.555 --> 00:15:27.845 So the Lord's anger came against him and against Judah and Jerusalem. 00:15:28.985 --> 00:15:32.585 Then Hezekiah humbled himself and repented of his pride, as 00:15:32.590 --> 00:15:33.875 did the people of Jerusalem. 00:15:34.925 --> 00:15:40.625 So the Lord's anger did not fall on them During Hezekiah's lifetime, Hezekiah 00:15:40.625 --> 00:15:42.845 was very wealthy and highly honored. 00:15:43.445 --> 00:15:47.765 He built special treasury buildings for his silver, gold, precious 00:15:47.770 --> 00:15:52.205 stones and spices, and for his shields and other valuable items. 00:15:53.105 --> 00:15:58.265 He also constructed many storehouses for his grain, new wine and olive oil. 00:15:59.330 --> 00:16:04.160 He made many stalls for his cattle and pens for his flocks of sheep and goats. 00:16:04.850 --> 00:16:08.840 He built many towns and acquired vast flocks and herds. 00:16:09.170 --> 00:16:11.420 For God had given him great wealth. 00:16:12.470 --> 00:16:16.520 He blocked up the upper spring of Gahan and brought the water down 00:16:16.520 --> 00:16:20.660 through a tunnel to the west side of the city of David, and so he 00:16:20.665 --> 00:16:22.550 succeeded in everything he did. 00:16:23.450 --> 00:16:27.530 However, when ambassadors arrived from Babylon to ask about the 00:16:27.530 --> 00:16:31.910 remarkable events that had taken place in the land, God withdrew from 00:16:31.910 --> 00:16:36.500 Hezekiah in order to test him and to see what was really in his heart. 00:16:38.000 --> 00:16:42.890 The rest of the events in Hezekiah's Reign and his acts of devotion are recorded 00:16:42.890 --> 00:16:47.810 in the vision of the prophet Isaiah, son of AMAs, which is included in the 00:16:47.810 --> 00:16:50.090 Book of the Kings of Judah and Israel. 00:16:50.990 --> 00:16:54.950 When Hezekiah died, he was buried in the upper area of the Royal 00:16:54.950 --> 00:17:00.860 Cemetery and all Judah and Jerusalem honored him at his death and his 00:17:00.860 --> 00:17:03.500 son Manasses became the next king.