Hezekiah's Illness, Recovery, and Manasseh's Reign: Day 239 of Immerse Bible Reading Experience

In Day 239 of the Immerse Bible Reading Experience, we explore significant events during the reign of King Hezekiah and the subsequent reign of his son Manasseh. The episode begins with Hezekiah's terminal illness and his heartfelt prayer for healing. God responds by granting him an additional 15 years of life and a miraculous sign involving a sundial. Soon after, Hezekiah shows his treasures to Babylonian envoys, prompting a prophetic warning from Isaiah about future Babylonian exile. After Hezekiah's death, his son Manasseh ascends the throne and commits numerous detestable acts, including idol worship and human sacrifice, arousing God's anger and resulting in dire prophecies against Judah. Following Manasseh's death, his son Amon becomes king but is soon assassinated, leading to Josiah's ascension to the throne. This episode provides a detailed account of faith, prophecy, and the consequences of turning away from God as described in the Book of Kings.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:04 Hezekiah's Illness and Recovery
02:07 Hezekiah's Interaction with Babylonian Envoys
03:03 Prophecy of Babylonian Exile
04:02 Reign of Manasseh: Idolatry and Evil
07:26 Reign of Amon and Assassination
08:21 Josiah Becomes King
08:26 Conclusion and Farewell

Buy Immerse: Kingdoms Now!

Volume 3 — Joshua, Judges, Ruth, Samuel–Kings

Kingdoms

Immerse: Kingdoms is the third of six volumes in Immerse: The Bible Reading Experience. Kingdoms presents a new and unique journey through the story of Israel from the time of its conquest of Canaan (Joshua) through its struggle to settle the land (Judges, Ruth) and the establishment of Israel’s kingdom, which ends in a forced exile (Samuel–Kings). The nation of Israel, commissioned to be God’s light to the nations, falls to division and then foreign conquest for rejecting God’s rule.

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?”

Day 238: Hezekiah's Appeal and God's Deliverance from the Assyrians

In today's episode of Immerse: The Daily Bible Reading Experience, we continue our journey through the Bible, focusing on Day 238. This reading highlights a pivotal moment when King Hezekiah of Judah faces the threat of the Assyrian invasion. Key figures such as Aya Kim, Shena, and Joa report the Assyrian chief of staff's blasphemous message to King Hezekiah, who responds by seeking God's intervention. The prophet Isaiah delivers God's message of assurance that the Assyrians will not prevail. The episode concludes with the dramatic downfall of the Assyrian army as God's angel eliminates 185,000 soldiers, leading to the eventual assassination of the Assyrian king. The reading underscores themes of faith, divine intervention, and the ultimate supremacy of God over earthly powers.

00:00 Introduction and Context
00:24 Hezekiah's Despair and Isaiah's Prophecy
02:05 Assyrian Threat and Hezekiah's Prayer
03:55 God's Response and Assyrian Defeat
07:51 Conclusion and Reflection

Buy Immerse: Kingdoms Now!

Volume 3 — Joshua, Judges, Ruth, Samuel–Kings

Kingdoms

Immerse: Kingdoms is the third of six volumes in Immerse: The Bible Reading Experience. Kingdoms presents a new and unique journey through the story of Israel from the time of its conquest of Canaan (Joshua) through its struggle to settle the land (Judges, Ruth) and the establishment of Israel’s kingdom, which ends in a forced exile (Samuel–Kings). The nation of Israel, commissioned to be God’s light to the nations, falls to division and then foreign conquest for rejecting God’s rule.

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?”

Hezekiah's Reign: Faithfulness and Challenges – Immerse Bible Experience Day 237

In Day 237 of the Immerse: Daily Bible Reading Experience, we delve into the reign of King Hezekiah, son of Ahaz, who began to rule over Judah at 25 and reigned for 29 years. Hezekiah was notable for his faithfulness to God, mirroring the devotion of his ancestor David. Key actions during his reign included removing pagan shrines and breaking the bronze serpent made by Moses, which had become an idol. His trust in the Lord led to significant victories, including a revolt against Assyria and the conquest of Philistine territories. However, Hezekiah faced severe challenges, especially from the Assyrian king who besieged Samaria and later demanded a massive tribute from Hezekiah. This episode features interactions between Hezekiah's officials and the Assyrian commander, who attempts to undermine the people's faith in Hezekiah and God. Despite these intimidating encounters, Hezekiah's instruction to his people highlights his resilient leadership amid mounting pressures.

00:00 Introduction to Hezekiah's Reign
00:21 Hezekiah's Religious Reforms
01:07 Hezekiah's Military Actions
02:09 Assyrian Threat and Siege
02:31 Assyrian Demands and Hezekiah's Response
03:36 Assyrian Intimidation Tactics
05:35 Assyrian Propaganda to the People
07:08 Conclusion and Reflection

Buy Immerse: Kingdoms Now!

Volume 3 — Joshua, Judges, Ruth, Samuel–Kings

Kingdoms

Immerse: Kingdoms is the third of six volumes in Immerse: The Bible Reading Experience. Kingdoms presents a new and unique journey through the story of Israel from the time of its conquest of Canaan (Joshua) through its struggle to settle the land (Judges, Ruth) and the establishment of Israel’s kingdom, which ends in a forced exile (Samuel–Kings). The nation of Israel, commissioned to be God’s light to the nations, falls to division and then foreign conquest for rejecting God’s rule.

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?”