My name is Hephzibah, which means “my delight is in her.”  This same name would be assigned to Zion by the prophet, Isaiah.

My husband, Hezekiah, was a great king in the line of Judah.  He was a very just man, yet one who would not let other gods sneak into our culture.  He reminded the people who Jehovah was. Our people have a habit of forgetting and are easily tempted by other gods.

He was only 25 years old when he became King and served for 29.  During that time, he abolished all other religions from our land and eliminated any trace of them.  He fought with our enemies, the Assyrians and Philistines.  He followed the commandments of Moses and did right in the sight of the Lord. Because of this, God was with Him and gave him many victories.

Each morning, my husband would sit quietly and talk with God.  I knew this was the case.  I could tell by his countenance that he was praying. Eventually his faithfulness to Jehovah led to his success, but he always put God first – never taking the credit for them.Hezekiah went through a difficult illness during the time

As time went on, our land was overtaken by our enemies.  My husband remained faithful to God.  He prayed even more fervently than before.  His example of godliness played on my heart.  Because of him, my faith grew too.  He suffered a difficult illness during this time and we were sure his life would be ebbing to a close, but the prophet, Isaiah assured him that God had more work for him to do.  He wasn’t finished with him yet.

Hezekiah and I created a child together and named him Manasseh,  He was curious as a small child.  He was also very precocious.  I did the best I could with him, but he was soon being influenced by others and I lost control over him.  He had his own ideas, as do most young adolescent boys.  I had so hoped he would follow the example of his father.  Each day we grew further and further apart.  By the time he was twelve years old, he would take over the throne. All that God had achieved through Hezekiah was replaced with the evil that was there before.

Hezekiah taught me, through his prayer life and close relationship with God that even though it doesn’t always seem so to us, He hears our prayers and answers them. The promise of the promised Messiah was the only thing that gave me hope.

GOD’S WORD IS TRUE AND HE ALWAYS KEEPS HIS PROMISES