2 Kings 18:4

“He removed the high places, and brake the images, and cut down the groves, and brake in pieces the brasen serpent that Moses had made: for unto those days the children of Israel did burn incense to it: and he called it Nehushtan.”

Historical Context:During the time of Hezekiah’s reign, the Kingdom of Judah faced various challenges, both internally and externally. The verse mentions several actions taken by King Hezekiah to bring about religious reforms in the nation.

• Removing High Places:

The “high places” were locations where the Israelites would offer sacrifices and engage in worship outside of the central sanctuary, which was the temple in Jerusalem. These high places were often associated with pagan worship practices and idolatry. Hezekiah sought to eliminate these places of worship and consolidate worship in Jerusalem, as prescribed by the Mosaic law.

Breaking the Images:The “images” mentioned in the verse refer to idols and statues that were worshipped by the people. Hezekiah ordered the destruction of these idols, demonstrating his commitment to purify the nation from the worship of false gods and to restore the worship of the true God of Israel.

Cutting Down the Groves:The “groves” were sacred groves or Asherah poles associated with the worship of the Canaanite goddess Asherah. These groves were places of idolatrous worship, and Hezekiah commanded their removal to eradicate the influence of foreign gods.

Breaking the Brasen Serpent:The reference to the “brasen serpent” recalls an event from the time of Moses in the wilderness (Numbers 21:4-9). God instructed Moses to make a bronze serpent and raise it on a pole so that anyone who was bitten by a venomous snake could look at it and be healed. Over time, the Israelites began to worship this object, and it became an idol. Hezekiah, recognizing the idolatry associated with it, destroyed the bronze serpent.

Nehushtan:The verse concludes by stating that Hezekiah called the destroyed brasen serpent “Nehushtan.” This name can be understood as a derogatory term, emphasizing that the object, which was once a means of God’s healing, had become a mere piece of bronze with no divine significance. Hezekiah’s act served to discourage the people from idolizing objects and redirect their focus toward the true worship of God.

• Hezekiah’s actions exemplify the importance of eliminating idolatry and false worship from our lives. He sought to restore true worship of the one true God and cleanse the nation from pagan practices.
• The episode of the brasen serpent reminds us of the danger of turning good things into objects of worship. God’s healing provision through the serpent was meant to point to His power and grace, not to become an idol in itself.
• We should be vigilant in examining our hearts and lives, ensuring that we are not idolizing or placing undue importance on material objects, traditions, or practices that detract from genuine worship of God.

By studying this verse, we gain insight into Hezekiah’s reforms and their significance for the spiritual life of the people of Judah. It serves as a reminder for us to examine our own lives and root out anything that hinders our devotion to God.