After the division of the kingdom into Israel and Judah (1 Kings 12), the descendants of David ruled over Judah. Hezekiah was one of them, and he was faithful to God and delivered the people from their enemies.

After becoming king at the age of 25, Hezekiah set about reforming the temple and calling the people to faithfully follow the Lord. He destroyed the idols and the altars of false gods. He held fast to God, trusted him, and followed him throughout his 29-year reign.

Hezekiah was tough in adversity too. Threatened by the overwhelming Assyrian army under Sennacherib, Hezekiah trusted in God for astonishing deliverance. Hezekiah prayed honestly and earnestly for God’s help, and that night God’s victory over the arrogant, brutal Assyrians was complete (2 Kings 19).

The book of Matthew reveals Hezekiah’s place in the genealogy of our Savior. Step by step, person by person, we see in figures like Hezekiah not merely examples of human faith, but much more. Ultimately we see God working out his plan of salvation, a plan that springs forward at the birth of Jesus.

Be inspired by the life of Hezekiah, but be amazed by God’s gracious plan of salvation through Jesus, whose birth we celebrate and whose return we long for today.