Through Pressing Crowds They Wanted to Touch His Garment

By Mary Vee
Matthew 12, Mark 3,

From Matthew's Journal 

Sea of Galilee, Photo by Mary Vee

My name is Matthew. I am a disciple of Jesus. I am here with other disciples, so they may add something today. 

We followed Jesus to the lake to get away from the large crowds. Word had spread about Jesus healing the sick. It seemed as though the entire country came to visit Him, asking for healing.

There were people who came from Tyre and Sidon over on the Mediterranean Sea, from cities on the other side of the Jordan River, Judea, Jerusalem, and far south of Jerusalem in Idumea.

Jesus looked at the growing number of people and said to us, "We will need to have a small boat ready to keep the people from crowding me into the water."

None of us could blame the people. Most had traveled long distances with their loved ones who had great needs. They saw he had healed many, and that simply touching Jesus brought healing to the sick. The crowds pushed, not like as in fighting, but as in strongly wanting to get close enough to Jesus to touch even his garment.

When those came who were possessed by evil spirits, we heard the spirits cry out, "You are the Son of God." Jesus faced the spirits and gave them strict orders not to say who he was."

I know, I wondered why He said that, too, until Jesus reminded us of Isaiah's prophecy:

Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, I am delighted by Him.

I have put my Spirit on Him, by this He will judge the nations.

He won't scream, or yell, or cry out for people to hear in the streets.

What is bruised or bent, He will not break

He won't blow out a smoldering candle--rather he will lead justice to victory.

Nations will put their hope in His name. 

So, we kept a boat close by knowing that at some point the crowds would press Jesus toward the water...not to harm Him. They just wanted to touch Him. At that point, he'd get in the boat and speak to them from there.

You need to know that our country is not under the control of the Jews. The Romans have a strong arm, the Greeks had their influence, and many of our people long for someone to come and rescue our country from those who force us to become like them. We are seeking someone to save us from these controlling powers.


I'll tell you more about that next time.

Author's note: what they didn't realize at the time was Jesus was the Savior, but he would not save them from the temporary political problems and turmoil, he give the only way for eternal life. 

Come back to read the next story.

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sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*My notes from my trip to Israel.

Jesus: The Kingdom of Heaven is Near

By Mary Vee
Matthew 4, Mark 1, Luke 4

From Matthew, Mark, and Luke's Journal 

Photo by Mary Vee
The Sea of Galilee

My name is Matthew, I am a disciple of Jesus. Mark and Luke are sitting here with me, ready to tell what we know about our time with Jesus. 

News about John the Baptist spread. Herod had put him in prison. When Jesus heard what happened, he acted like he knew. Although the news made Jesus sad, he got up and walked to the road as if there was a job that needed to be done. 

"We are returning to Galilee," He said.

We gathered our few belongings and left Nazareth, the city where Jesus grew up. I was happy about our leaving. Not many of the people treated him very well there.  

We walked northeast toward the Sea of Galilee. Just so you know, that body of water isn't huge like the Mediterranean Sea. If you went to visit it today, it wouldn't seem gigantic. Water is drained from this sea in your time and bottled. As a result, the water level is going down. During the time Mark, John, and I lived, no one bothered to bottle water. So the sea level was much higher.

On the north side of the lake is a city called Capernaum. This was the town Peter and his mother-in-law had a home. It was the land given to the tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali back in the days of Joshua. Come to think of it, the prophet Isaiah wrote these words long ago:

Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, along the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles--
The people living in darkness have seen a great light. On those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.  (Note from Mary Vee: this is Isaiah 9:1,2)

This is exactly what John the Baptizer said about Jesus. John the Baptizer said he was the one preparing the way and that Jesus was the light. Now here we are, going along the Jordan, up to Galilee after leaving Nazareth and into the land of Zebulun. I don't know about you, but I find this exciting to be a part of Isaiah's words coming true.

Jesus woke early each morning when we lived in Capernaum. We ate fish for breakfast then a crowd of people would gather around him. It was at this time that Jesus began to preach this message: "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."

Luke here. News spread throughout the whole countryside about Jesus and the things he said. Jesus taught in the synagogues, because it was a place where regular men went to debate all kinds of topics. He like to teach these men about God. If you could have heard how smart Jesus was. There wasn't a single question that caught him off guard. Jesus knew a lot and he enjoyed helping people.

I'm not surprised everyone praised him as the Messiah. Probably because...He is.

Come back to read the next story.

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sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*My notes from my trip to Israel.

The Fall and Rise of Kings

By Mary Vee
II Kings 21 and II Chronicles 33

From the Journals of Josiah

Photo Courtesy

My grandfather, King Manasseh died and was given an honorable burial in the gardens of Uzza. 

I'd heard about the terrible things he'd done when he first ruled Judah and his time as a prisoner in Babylon.

Grandfather saw what he'd done wrong and wept before God. He tried to undo the bad and show his change of heart by getting rid of the idols and telling the people of Judah to worship God like He had started to do, but a lot of the damage had been done. Men and women continued to worship in the high places.

When grandfather died, his son Amon became king of Judah. Apparently my father, King Amon, preferred the old days when everyone worshiped idols. During the time he ruled he never changed. He became angry and yelled. He worshiped all the old idols that Grandfather use to have.

My father didn't live very long. I don't know if the people weren't happy with him or if it was because he never seemed to love God or respect Him. He became king at twenty-two years old and only ruled two years.

I'll never forget the day when several of father's officials came into the palace pretending to want to talk with him about an important matter. They ganged up on him and killed him. 

I know my father didn't follow the laws of God and had been a bad king. I think I even understand why the officials ganged up on him. I am only eight years old and very confused.

The guards and citizens from the kingdom surrounded the officials and everyone else involved in my father's murder and killed them.

The priest held a huge ceremony before all the people to crown me king. 

*******************************************
1. How did Josiah know Manasseh?
2. Who became king after Manasseh?
3. What kind of a king was he? 
4. What happened to Josiah's father?
5. How old was Josiah?

6. Why did the priest have a huge ceremony before all the people?

Manasseh-My Shame

By Mary Vee
II Chronicles 33

From the Journals of Manasseh

Photo Courtesy

I have  been walking for last several days. My feet hurt. As king of Judah I never thought such terrible things would happen to me.

My father, King Hezekiah, loved God with all his heart, soul, and mind. I thought he was crazy for devoting his life to God.

After my dad died, I listened to my friends instead of my father's advisors and the prophets. 

My father had spent his life getting rid of the idols throughout our country. My friends, though, said we needed to bring then all back. By telling the men, women, and children to worship the same gods as those countries around us, we would win the other country's favor and be safe.

I was young and didn't know what to do. I had never loved the God my father worshiped so I listened to my friends. We rebuilt all the gods. I had them placed everywhere even in the temple and the temple courts. The people seemed happy and willing to bow down to these gods. Everything seemed fine.

Until the prophet Isaiah walked through the streets yelling something about not bowing down to the idols. I didn't worry too much. No one listened to him.

Then one day the Assyrian army attacked.  They came like a swarm of bees out of no where. We had no warning to prepare. The soldiers shoved their way into Jerusalem and captured all the important people. The very people who had been used to riding in style and dressing in the best clothes now walked the streets with their hands and feet tied.  

I hid, but it didn't do any good. The army commanders searched the city until they found me. My friends, the soldiers, no one could save me. The Assyrians took me prisoner and put a hook in my nose. It hurt so much. They put bronze shackles on me. I couldn't hardly move but the Assyrian commanders made me walk. For days. With little food.

I was alone.

The guards yelled at me.

I hurt. Was hungry. Thirsty. 

I looked at the the last of Judah's land as the soldiers dragged me away. I honestly didn't think I would ever see it again. 

This was the first time I really cried and felt totally hopeless. Everything was lost. The people of Judah had become slaves. 

And as the king, I will probably be killed. 

*******************************************
1. Why did Manasseh's feet hurt?
2. Who was Manasseh's father?
3. What did Manasseh's father do with the idols?
4. What did Manasseh do with the idols?
5. What message did God give the people?

6. Did the people listen.

7. What happened to them?
8. What happened to Manasseh?

Manasseh-Learning Lessons the Hard Way

By Mary Vee
II Kings 19 and II Chronicles 32-33

From the Journals of Isaiah

Photo Courtesy

Some people just have to learn lessons the hard way.

God did punish Sennacherib as He said He would. Remember, Sennacherib was the bully who picked on King Hezekiah? 

The bully became frightened and took his army home to Assyria. 

One day, while King Senacherib was worshiping his god Nisroch in a temple made special for this idol, his sons Adrammelech and Sharezer sneaked in behind him and thrust their swords into him, killing him.

Not wanting to be caught by any of their father's army, the two boys ran as fast as they could to get away. They kept running out of the city and west, to the land of Ararat. 

Their brother, Esarhaddon, took over as king of Assyria.

In the meantime, the Lord continued to send messages to Manasseh and his people to stop worshiping idols, but they wouldn't listen. I delivered every message God gave me. Trust me, He loved them very much and wanted to give them every possible chance to change from their wicked ways.

Since the people of Jerusalem and Judah kept worshipping idols and ignoring the Almighty God who had rescued them so many times, He had to give them the punishment.

The Assyrian army regrouped and marched toward Judah. They showed their power by taking the wealthy, smart, and beautiful people from Judah as prisoners. They dragged them away from their homes and forced them to walk for days to Assyria where the people of Judah became slaves. 

The Assyrian commanders took King Manasseh prisoner. They put a hook in his nose and put bronze chains on him. He had to walk in shame all the way to Assyria. Manasseh cried out, begging for mercy but the commanders didn't listen.

Many men, women, and children from Judea were also taken that day. They were frightened, but not yet sorry for disobeying God. The army was very cruel to them, pulling them away from their families, putting their hands and feet in chains, and beating them.

Not all of the men, women, and children were taken at this time. The smart, rich, and important people were taken captive at this time. The Assyrian army left the poor to take care of things.

I was sorry to see them cry, but in truth, God had warned them and they refused to listen. Hopefully they will cry out to God and say they are sorry soon. If not. They will have to wait the seventy years God said they would have to wait.

Sigh. If only they had listened and obeyed God.

*******************************************
1. Who is Sennacherib?
2. What was Sennacherib doing in the temple?
3. What did his two sons do?
4. Why did his sons run away?
5. What was going on in Judah (What was God doing?)

6. What didn't the people of Jerusalem do? (God asked them to do this)

7. What happened to them?

Hezekiah-His Last Good Works

By Mary Vee
II Kings 20, II Chronicles 32

From the Journals of Isaiah

The people of Jerusalem mourned deeply when King Hezekiah's died. I have seen other kings of Israel and Judah die and not receive this kind of respect mainly because they were not good kings. But the people had seen what a good king Hezekiah had been and how much he loved God.

He wasn't perfect. No one but God is. But God told me to write Hezekiah's acts of devotion in the sacred books so that everyone could read about this faithful king.

I'd like to share with you one of the most important acts Hezekiah did that saved the city. 

The pool of water used by the people was outside the city walls. Walking to get water was not a problem. But when an army came to attack, the soldiers could take the water then stand guard to keep the people of Jerusalem away.

Hezekiah mapped out a plan to dig a tunnel going from the center of the city to the pool outside the walls. The direction of the water moved through the tunnel to the center of the city. He then blocked off any access to the water to anyone outside the city walls.

This was not an easy project. It took several years. To speed the process, Hezekiah assigned men to dig from both sides. One team started in the city and the other started out at the pool. 

He used our best skills, but knew if one team angled a bit one way or the other the two ends would never meet. Hezekiah prayed asking God to help them with the project. 

One miraculous day the men broke through, connecting the two tunnels. The water flowed into the new pool inside the city. I wish you could have heard the people rejoicing.

But the work wasn't done. The teams had to make a block to prevent anyone from stealing the water from outside the city. The soldiers and workers spent long hours finishing the project. 

This new water system saved the city. If an attacking army didn't have water to drink, they couldn't stay long. This is one of the projects Hezekiah did during his rein as king of Judah.

And so the people mourned Hezekiah, the good king of Judah.

From Mary Vee: Here is some interesting news. This tunnel, built by Hezekiah so many years ago is still used today to supply water to the city! Imagine the work that was done to make it last so long!

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1. Was Hezekiah a good or bad king?
2. How did God honor Hezekiah?
3. Isaiah shares one of the many good acts down by Hezekiah. What did he do?
4. What problems did the workers have?
5. Why was this such an important project?

Hezekiah-The Bully Walked Away in Silence

By Mary Vee
II Kings 19, Isaiah 37

From the Journals of Hezekiah

I have seen God's amazing power in action. Since I am one of His creations, I don't think it bothers God too much when I am surprised at what He can do.

I have faith He can do anything. But sometimes, I am just so blown away when I see what He's done. My heart pumps hard and I feel a bubbly happiness inside. 

God sent Isaiah to tell me He would take care of the problem with king Sennacherib of Assyria.

And He did!

Last night God sent the angel of the Lord to Sennacherib's army camp and put to death a hundred and eighty-five thousand of their men. This was not all of their army. There were plenty more soldiers.

When the remaining soldiers and Sennacherib woke the next morning and found the dead bodies he ordered the remaining soldiers to break camp and go back home.

He didn't say anything.

He didn't yell at those of us watching from the city walls.

He didn't cry out, raise his fist, or say any more mean things.

Instead, he and his men left in silence....ashamed.

He and his army returned to Nineveh, their home, and stayed there. They didn't gather new troops to come back and attack. They just stayed home.

Word spread about what the Almighty God did, and how powerful He is. Countries all around us brought gifts to the people of Jerusalem and offerings to present to the Lord. 

For the rest of my days as king, the nations all around us respected Judah and our God.

A while back I was very sick. I cried to the Lord for healing. He said I could live fifteen more years. That time has come to an end. I am thankful for the extra time to help Jerusalem walk in the ways of the Lord and hope that I have please Him.

Praise and glory to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the Almighty One.

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1.  Who did God send to give Hezekiah a message?
2.  What was the message?
3.  What did God do?
4.  What did Hezekiah and the people of Jerusalem see the next morning?
5.  What did Sennacherib and his men do?
6.  What did the nations around Jerusalem do?

Hezekiah-God's Promise to Punish the Bully

By Mary Vee
II Kings 19, Isaiah 37

From the Journals of Hezekiah

Last time I told you about the mean things Sennacherib had done. He is the king of Assyria.

That guy is such a bully. And when bullies yell mean things, nothing can be said back. If anyone tries to say anything back, the bully works very hard to say even meaner things.

I walked away from him and went to the temple where I prayed to God.

In my day, God sent messages to people through his prophets. The prophet Isaiah lives here and loves the Lord with all his heart. 

Isaiah came to my chamber and said God had a message for me. God said, "I have heard your prayers about Sennacherib, king of Assyria, and have said these things against him:

"Who are you to insult Jerusalem? Your insults are really against me, the Holy One of Israel.

You have sent messengers who have shouted cruel things against me.

You brag about things you have done to frighten the people of Jerusalem.

What you didn't know is I had planned for you to succeed in those very things.

I even know where you live and when you come and go 

and how you are so angry against me.

Because you have been so angry, I will force you to go back to your homes 

and end the battles."

God then said to me: "This year, Hezekiah, you will eat what grows by itself from the crops, and next year too. But the third year, plant seeds and reap a harvest. A group of people from Judah will stand strong like the crops. There will be survivors staying in Jerusalem."

This made me feel better. I knew then that we would be able to stay.

Isaiah finished telling me God's message by saying what would happen. "Sennacherib will not enter Jerusalem. He won't shoot an arrow here. He won't bring his army or his weapons. He will go back home and not enter Jerusalem.

"I will defend this city and save it for my sake and for the sake of David my servant."

I must admit. I felt so much better knowing God would take care of the bully.

*******************************************
1. Bullies sure can cause us to feel bad. What was the first thing Hezekiah did to stop the bully?
2. In the days that Hezekiah lived, what is one way God sent messages to people?
3. Describe the prophet Isaiah.
4. God said not to worry. The bully meant their mean words against ___________
5. What did God say he would do to the bully?
6. What did God say would happen to Jerusalem?

Hezekiah-God Comforts When Bullies Are Mean

By Mary Vee
II Kings 18 and Isaiah

From the Journals of Hezekiah

Photo Courtesy

I couldn't handle the horrible news Eliakim, Shebna and Joah brought to me. 

As king of Judah, it is my duty to lead my people. They all heard Sennacherib's cruel words about the Almighty God. 

I could handle him saying lies about me, but when he said, "How can the Lord deliver Jerusalem from my hand." He made fun of the power of God. Big mistake.

Yes, I know God can easily take care of Sennacherib, but I love God and would not want anyone to speak evil of Him. 

I felt embarrassed to even speak to the prophet Isaiah about the problem so I sent Eliakim, Shebna, and Joah to tell him my thoughts:

"This day is a terrible day, One where cruel and mean things are said by the bullies surrounding us. It's like having no strength to give birth. It may be that the Lord your God will hear all the words of the field commander, whom his master, the king of Assyria has sent to make fun of the living God. And when He hears those words He will punish Sennacherib for what he has done. Isaiah, please pray for those from all Israel that still survives."

Isaiah sent a message back to me. "This is what the Lord says. Do not be afraid of what you have heard. Every word the king's helpers said against me I have heard. The words are not against you. Listen! I am going to put such a spirit in him that when he hears a certain report he will return to his own country, and there I will have Sennacherib put to death.

************************************************
1. Why was King Hezekiah upset?
2. King Hezekiah tore his clothes and wept. He went to the temple. Why didn't he talk to the prophet Isaiah?
3. What message did he send to the prophet?
4. What did message did God give to Isaiah to say to Hezekiah?

Hezekiah-A Thankful Heart for Fifteen More Years

By Mary Vee
Isaiah 38

From the Journals of Hezekiah

Photo Courtesy

I didn't deserve God's mercy.

He healed me from a disease that nearly killed me. 

During all the days I have ruled Judah, I have tried to obey God. I'm not perfect, which means I made mistakes, but I kept trying my best. 

God rewarded my devotion to Him by letting me live fifteen years more.



This is my thanksgiving praise to God:

I said,
“In the prime of my life
I shall go to the gates of Sheol;
I am deprived of the remainder of my years.”

 I said,
“I shall not see the Lord,
The Lord in the land of the living;
I shall observe man no more among the inhabitants of the world.

 My life span is gone,
Taken from me like a shepherd’s tent;
I have cut off my life like a weaver.
He cuts me off from the loom;
From day until night You make an end of me.

 I have considered until morning—
Like a lion,
So He breaks all my bones;
From day until night You make an end of me.

 Like a crane or a swallow, so I chattered;
I mourned like a dove;
My eyes fail from looking upward.
O Lord, I am oppressed;
Undertake for me!

 “What shall I say?
He has both spoken to me,
And He Himself has done it.
I shall walk carefully all my years
In the bitterness of my soul.

 O Lord, by these things men live;
And in all these things is the life of my spirit;
So You will restore me and make me live.

 Indeed it was for my own peace
That I had great bitterness;
But You have lovingly delivered my soul from the pit of corruption,
For You have cast all my sins behind Your back.

 For Sheol cannot thank You,
Death cannot praise You;
Those who go down to the pit cannot hope for Your truth.

 The living, the living man, he shall praise You,
As I do this day;
The father shall make known Your truth to the children.

 “The Lord was ready to save me;
And we will sing with stringed instruments
All the days of our life, in the house of the Lord.”

************************************************
1.  Who was Hezekiah?
2.  What problem did Hezekiah have?
3.  Who healed him?
4.  How many more years did God give him?
5.  What did Hezekiah do next?

Hoshea Wouldn't Listen To God

By Mary Vee
II Kings 17

From the Journals of Isaiah

Photo Courtesy

As one of the prophets in Israel, God gave me the job to warn the kings when they made bad choices. 

Hoshea was king of Israel. He led the people to worship many gods and to not obey the laws God had given them. 

During Hoshea's time, the people of Israel had to pay Assyria money to keep them from attacking.

Making the king of Assyria angry would not be a wise move. Assyria had a strong and powerful army, riches, and could easily win a battle against Israel. 

After years of paying money to Assyria, Hoshea decided to stop giving them anything.

When the money didn't arrive, Shalmanesser, king of Assyria had his soldiers spy on Hoshea. They came back with this report: "He is a traitor. Hoshea sent messengers to Egypt asking for their protection against us. He also paid them money. The money that should have been sent to us."

Shalmanesser became very angry. "Capture Hoshea and throw him in prison." 

While the king sat in prison, Shalmanesser ordered his army to march against Israel. For three years Assyria attacked Israel. They battled in every part of Israel's land and won.

Shalmanesser's army took the Israelite people as prisoners and sent them to be servants in Halah, Gozan, and cities of the Medes.

God told me this happened because the Israelites had sinned against Him. They worshipped gods that weren't real instead of the true God who saved them from Egypt and the power of Pharaoh. 

God had sent them many warnings to turn from their evil ways. To obey God's commands. I wasn't the only prophet He sent to tell them.

The people wouldn't listen to the warnings. They insisted their way was good.

The only way to make them stop, and to hopefully help them understand what they did wrong, was to take everything away from them. 

************************************************
1.  Hoshea was king of ________________
2.  What did he lead the people to do?
3.  Israel had to pay money to ____________ to keep them from attacking.
4.  One year, Hoshea decided to _____________
5.  Who did Hoshea ask for help?
6.  What did Shalmanesser, king of Assyria do?
7.  What could Hoshea have done to stop all of this from happening?

The Man Who Loved God More Than Himself

By Mary Vee
Isaiah 22

From the Journals of Isaiah

Photo Courtesy

In the palace of Hezekiah, king of Judah, there was a servant name Shebna. 

Shebna had a high position, he was a steward. 

Hezekiah trusted Shebna, gave him many important tasks, and put him in charge of the palace.

While doing these important jobs, Shebna became selfish. He wanted people to know exactly how important he was, and he wanted everyone to remember him forever.

God gave him his wish, but not exactly the way he wanted.

Shebna ordered the workers who served him to cut out a grave in the high place. The servants did special chiseling to make the grave look important. 

With such a grave, everyone in all of Judah would see his resting place after he died and always remember how important he was.

Hah. God did not agree with this plan. Only God is to be remembered in this way. Shebna had disgraced Hezekiah's palace by doing this. Hezekiah, the king who had honored God's name and served Him with his whole heart.

I told Hezekiah what God said. Hezekiah called Shebna in and fired him. Shebna lost all the riches and power, and the special burial place he ordered his workers to make.

How did God give Shebna his wish? This story is recorded in the book Isaiah for everyone to read and know. Yes Shebna is remembered, but not the way he wanted. 

Hezekiah appointed Eliakim, the son of Hilkiah to take Shebna's place. Eliakim loved God and worked hard to honor God. Eliakim wore the special robe and sash that once belonged to Shebna. All of Shebna's authority now belonged to Eliakim, a man who truly loved God more than himself.


************************************************
1.  What job did Shebna have?
2.  What did he do wrong and why was that wrong?
3.  What  was important to Shebna?
4.  How did God give Shebna his wish?
5.  Who did God give Shebna's job to?
6.  Why did God give this man Shebna's job?

Isaiah-Caution When All Goes Well

By Mary Vee
II Chronicles 31, Isaiah 22, 28, 33

From the Journals of Isaiah

Photo Courtesy

King Hezekiah did a good job bringing God's people back to worship. He did what was good and right and faithful before the Lord his God. In everything that he tried to do in the service of God's temple and in obedience to the law and the commands, he asked God and worked wholeheartedly.

Because of this, he and Judah have prospered.

Still, God gave me messages to warn the people. Prosperity tends to make men and women think they will always have blessings. And they will, if they continue to obey the laws of God and worship Him. But, if the people spend all their time enjoying the good things God has given them and forget to worship the God who gave them those things, they will receive a punishment.

God spoke to me and told me that Israel would turn from worshiping Him. They would spend all their time with the good things they have. 

Because God loves His people, He sent me to warn them. To give them a chance to change. Even though He knows what they will do in the future.

I went to the city and villages warning the people of what would happen to them. The people would not listen. Sometimes I felt like I didn't say the words right. But God told me the people chose by themselves to turn away from Him and not me. 

From Isaiah 22

And you looked in that day to the weapons in the Palace of the Forest;

You saw that the City of David had many breaches in its defenses;

You stored up water in the Lower Pool.

You counted the buildings in Jerusalem and tore down houses to strengthen the wall.

You build a reservoir between the two walls for the water of the Old Pool,

  but you did not look to the One who made it, 

or have regard for the One who planned it long ago.

The Lord, the Lord Almighty called you on that day to weep and to wail,

to tear out your hair and put on sackcloth.

But see, there is joy and revelry, killing of cattle and of sheep,

eating of meat and drinking of wine!

"Let us eat and drink," you say, 

"for tomorrow we die!"

After the warnings, the Lord gave the people these encouraging words, because He loves them: The Lord will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge. The fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure.

I only wish the people would listen to God's warning.

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1.  What kind of king was Hezekiah?
2.  What reward did God give the people for following Him?
3.  What warning did Isaiah the prophet give the people?
4.  What encouragement did God give the people?