Hezekiah, the son of Ahaz, reigned as the king of Judah from approximately 715 to 686 BC. His reign is notably marked by a return to the worship of Yahweh and a series of religious reforms that sought to restore the spiritual integrity of the nation. Hezekiah's righteousness is a central theme in the biblical narrative, particularly in the books of 2 Kings, 2 Chronicles, and Isaiah.

Religious Reforms

Hezekiah ascended to the throne at a time when Judah was steeped in idolatry, largely due to the influence of his father, Ahaz. One of Hezekiah's first acts as king was to cleanse the temple and restore proper worship. According to 2 Chronicles 29:3-5 , "In the first month of the first year of his reign, he opened the doors of the house of the LORD and repaired them. Then he brought in the priests and Levites, gathered them in the square on the east side, and said to them, 'Listen to me, O Levites! Consecrate yourselves now and consecrate the house of the LORD, the God of your fathers. Remove all the defilement from the sanctuary.'"

Hezekiah's reforms extended beyond the temple. He destroyed the high places, shattered the sacred stones, and cut down the Asherah poles. He also broke into pieces the bronze serpent that Moses had made, for the Israelites had been burning incense to it (2 Kings 18:4). This act demonstrated his commitment to eradicating idolatry and refocusing the people's worship solely on Yahweh.

Passover Celebration

Another significant aspect of Hezekiah's righteousness was his reinstitution of the Passover celebration, which had been neglected. Hezekiah sent letters throughout Israel and Judah, inviting the people to come to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover to the LORD, the God of Israel (2 Chronicles 30:1). This event was marked by a spirit of unity and repentance, as many from the northern kingdom of Israel also participated, despite the political division between Israel and Judah.

Trust in the LORD

Hezekiah's trust in the LORD is highlighted during the Assyrian invasion led by King Sennacherib. When faced with the threat of destruction, Hezekiah sought the counsel of the prophet Isaiah and turned to God in prayer. 2 Kings 19:15-19 records Hezekiah's prayer: "And Hezekiah prayed before the LORD: 'O LORD, God of Israel, enthroned above the cherubim, You alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You made the heavens and the earth. Incline Your ear, O LORD, and hear; open Your eyes, O LORD, and see; listen to the words that Sennacherib has sent to defy the living God... Now, O LORD our God, please save us from his hand, so that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You alone, O LORD, are God.'"

In response to Hezekiah's faith and prayer, God delivered Judah by sending an angel who struck down 185,000 Assyrian soldiers, forcing Sennacherib to withdraw (2 Kings 19:35-36).

Legacy of Righteousness

Hezekiah's righteousness is further affirmed in 2 Kings 18:5-6 : "Hezekiah trusted in the LORD, the God of Israel. No king of Judah was like him, either before him or after him. For he held fast to the LORD and did not cease to follow Him; he kept the commandments that the LORD had given Moses." His reign is characterized by a sincere devotion to God, a commitment to purifying worship practices, and a reliance on divine intervention in times of crisis.

Hezekiah's life serves as a testament to the blessings of faithfulness and obedience to God, illustrating the profound impact of righteous leadership on a nation. His account is a reminder of the importance of returning to God and the power of prayer in the face of adversity.