# Day 165

# Hezekiah Cleans the Temple

2 Chronicles 29:1–19

Hezekiah, Ahaz’s son, reigned next. The first thing he did was repair the temple doors. With its doors opened, he ordered the temple cleaned.

“Our ancestors have been untrue to God,” Hezekiah told the priests. “They’ve done evil and turned from the Lord. The Lord’s house has been forgotten. They put out its lamps, closed its doors, and walked away. Our ancestors stopped offering incense and burning sacrifices to Israel’s God. This is why God’s anger came upon Judah and Jerusalem. Their lives filled with horror. It was an amazing mockery, as you’ve seen.”

Hezekiah went on speaking to the priests. “Our fathers have been killed by the sword. Our sons, daughters, and wives have been carried far away. In my heart, I want to make an agreement with God. I want to turn his fierce anger away from us. So don’t be lazy. God has chosen you to minister to him and give him offerings.”

The priests went into the deepest part of the temple. There they found hateful idols. These were burned at Jerusalem’s dump. They worked for over two weeks and purified the Lord’s house.

Questions: Why did God’s anger came upon Judah and Jerusalem? Why did Hezekiah want to make an agreement with God?