2 Kings 20

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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

Hezekiah’s Recovery from Illness and Foolish Decision

BACKGROUND NOTES



DOCTRINAL POINT(S)

  1. Set your house in order, for you shall die.

  2. Don’t cast your pearls before swine.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

  1. Live as if you had only 15 more years!

QUESTIONS

  1. When did the recovery of King Hezekiah take place?

  2. Describe the sign Hezekiah asked for and received.

  3. How long was Hezekiah’s life extended?

  4. What did Jesus mean by “Don’t cast your pearls before swine”?

  5. How did Hezekiah cast pearls before swine?

ANSWERS

  1. When we compile all the chronological data it seems that this event occurred shortly before Jerusalem’s miraculous deliverance from the Assyrians.

  2. The steps were either a sundial or a set of stairs being used as a sundial. Hezekiah asked that the shadow go back ten steps, which would have been contrary to the natural movement of the shadow.

  3. For an additional 15 years

  4. He meant you don’t take the holy and precious things of the Lord and share them with unbelievers who have no time for God and have rejected His offer of salvation.

  5. Hezekiah foolishly showed all the treasures of God’s House to the Babylonian officials. Years later the Babylonians would return and take all of the Temple treasures as well as the royal offspring to Babylon.

DISCUSS/CONSIDER

  1. Set your house in order, for you shall die. Unless the rapture takes place in our lifetime, we will all die. Discuss these steps for “setting your house in order:” 1) Make sure you are saved. 2) Make your transition as easy as possible for others. 3) Use your remaining time for the glory of God.

  2. Where is the practical balance between not casting pearls before swine and sharing your faith with unbelievers?

CHALLENGE

  1. If the Lord told you, “I’ll give you 15 more years of life,” would you live your life differently than you’re living now?

KEY VERSES

  • “And I will add to your days fifteen years. I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for My own sake, and for the sake of My servant David.” 2 Kings 20:6

  • “[The Babylonians] have seen all that is in my house; there is nothing among my treasures that I have not shown them.” 2 Kings 20:15




2 Kings, Old Testament, TalksRon Reid2 KINGS 20