Day 346: King Hezekiah's Reforms and Triumphs

Welcome to Immerse: The Daily Bible Reading Experience. On Day 346, we explore the extensive reforms and victories under the reign of King Hezekiah. Hezekiah sends word to all of Israel and Judah to come to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. The celebration occurs a month later than usual due to the unpreparedness of the priests and people. Despite initial mocking from some towns, many humble themselves and come to Jerusalem. The Passover is celebrated with great zeal, leading to the removal of pagan altars and a grand two-week festival. Sacrifices abound, and the people respond generously, bringing gifts and tithes. Hezekiah then faces the threat from King Sennacherib of Assyria, who mocks the Israelites' faith. Hezekiah's faith and Isaiah's prayers lead to a miraculous victory where an angel destroys the Assyrian army. Peace follows, and Hezekiah is highly respected, but arrogance later incurs God's wrath. After repentance, prosperity continues, and Hezekiah's reign ends with him being honored at his death. His son Manasseh succeeds him.

00:00 Introduction and Context
00:04 Hezekiah's Call for Passover
02:42 Passover Celebration and Reforms
04:50 Hezekiah's Generosity and Organization
10:29 Assyrian Threat and Divine Intervention
15:07 Hezekiah's Illness and Wealth
16:38 Hezekiah's Legacy and Death

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Volume 6 — Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Daniel

Chronicles

Immerse: Chronicles is the sixth and final installment in Immerse: The Bible Reading Experience. Chronicles contains the remaining First Testament Books: Chronicles–Ezra–Nehemiah, Esther, and Daniel. These works were all written after the Jewish people fell under the control of foreign empires and were scattered among the nations. They remind God’s chastened people of their identity and calling to faithfully represent God to the nations and that there is still hope for the struggling dynasty of David.

4 Questions to get your conversations started:
1. What stood out to you this week?
2. Was there anything confusing or troubling?
3. Did anything make you think differently about God?
4. How might this change the way we live?

QUICK START GUIDE
3 ways to get the most out of your experience

1. Use Immerse: Beginnings instead of your regular chapter and verse Bible. This special reader’s edition restores the Bible to its natural simplicity and beauty by removing chapter and verse numbers and other historical additions. Letters look like letters, songs look like songs, and the original literary structures are visible in each book.
2. Commit to making this a community experience. Immerse is designed for groups to encounter large portions of the Bible together
   for 8 weeks–more like a book club, less like a Bible study. By meeting every week in small groups and discussing what you read in open,
   honest conversations, you and your community can come together to be transformed through an authentic experience with the Scriptures.
3. Aim to understand the big story. Read through “The Stories and the Story” (p. 483) to see how the books of the Bible work together to tell God’s story of his creation’s restoration. As you read through Immerse: Beginnings, rather than ask, “How do I fit God into my busy life?” begin asking, “How can I join in God’s great plan by living out my part in his story?”

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