Discovery at Tel Lachish

In the third year of Hoshea son of Elah, king of Israel, Hezekiah the son of Ahaz, king of Judah, began to reign … And he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, according to all that David his father had done. He removed the high places and broke the pillars and cut down the Asherah. (2 Kings 18:1-4).

Archaeologists recently discovered a gate-shrine from 8 B.C. at Tel Lachish National Park in Israel. Lachish, a city referenced in Joshua, 2 Chronicles and 2 Kings, was the most important city in ancient Judah after Jerusalem. Archaeologists discovered evidence of the destruction of pagan idols including horns used in pagan worship which had been intentionally cutoff near the city gate-shrine. Sa’ar Ganor, the excavation director said, “That is probably evidence of the religious reform attributed to King Hezekiah, whereby religious worship was centralized in Jerusalem and the cultic high places that were built outside the capital were destroyed.” Another interesting find is a latrine in the temple used to desecrate the pagan temple. This is consistent with the practice of the day (2 Kings 10:27). This recent discovery affirms what is recorded in Scripture of King Hezekiah’s reform, which was “right in the eyes of the LORD” (2 Kings 18:3). This discovery should give us added affirmation and confidence in trusting the Word of God. However, we should not be satisfied with the Word of God just being true. Even the demons believe in God and shudder (James 2:19). We need to believe and obey what is written in the Word. This recent archaeological discovery draws us to 2 Kings 18. As King Hezekiah demonstrated clearly in Scripture, with the help of the Holy Spirit, let us breakdown and remove the idols of our hearts and seek to do what is right in the eyes of the LORD by trusting in Jesus Christ, who did do what is right in the eyes of the LORD. Let us worship Him in spirit and truth today. To God be the glory!