We begin a new series today - Types, Themes, & Threads in Scripture. We will start with a discussion of gardens and the way they frame the Bible and run all the way through. What are we to get from this? Let's dive in to see where this takes us.

The final chapter of Kings tells of the complete unraveling and undoing of Israel from the deconstruction of the Temple to the leaders all being struck down. But there is hope in the last paragraph. Death doesn't have the final word - there is a resurrection coming....

We explore the "generation" after Josiah and the Captivity that begins with Egyptian bondage and becomes Babylonian Captivity and God's sovereignty through it all.

Josiah continues to "cleanse" the land of idols and high places and re-institutes Passover. He dies at the hand of an Egyptian Pharoah and thus begins the "70 years of captivity" that has been prophesied, as Egypt, and then Babylon will be in charge of Judah from this time going forward.

Huldah the prophetess tells King Josiah God's wrath will not be quenched, but Josiah will not see the destruction with his own eyes, he will die in peace. Josiah then has the Book of the Law read to the people and the Temple is re-dedicated and cleaned out (idols and idol worship torn down, etc).

Young King Josiah comes to the throne in Judah. As they are working on restorations to the Temple they find a scroll of the Book of the Law. When it is read to Josiah he is cut to the heart.

Manasseh, a King whose name means forgetful, forgets God and his covenant and becomes the most evil King in the history of Judah.

We get to see what is going on in Jerusalem simultaneous to what is happening in chapter 19. Hezekiah is our picture of the nation of Judah. We see God heal him in an instant just like he saved Jerusalem in a night. There is a beautiful foreshadowing of Jesus in this story!

Sennacherib (King of Assyria) is still breathing threats against King Hezekiah (Judah) & YHWH. Things look hopeless for Judah, but Hezekiah prays and sends word to Isaiah. God defends the city of Jerusalem against an insurmountable army in one night for the sake of His name and for David.

What is going on with Hezekiah? He's said to be one of the best Kings in Judah and yet we see him doing some things that cause concern for the reader. Assyria has taken over Northern Israel and now is threatening Judah. They seem unstoppable.