Heaps – Protection
Pastors Rodney & Adonica Howard-BrownePublish date: 04/27/2025
Foundation Scriptures:
And as soon as the commandment came abroad, the children of Israel brought in abundance the firstfruits of corn, wine, and oil, and honey, and of all the increase of the fields; and the tithe of all things brought they in abundantly. 6 And concerning the children of Israel and Judah, that dwelt in the cities of Judah, they also brought in the tithe of oxen and sheep, and the tithe of holy things which were consecrated unto the Lord their God, and laid them by heaps. 7 In the third month they began to lay the foundation of the heaps, and finished them in the seventh month. 8 And when Hezekiah and the princes came and saw the heaps, they blessed the Lord, and his people Israel. 9 Then Hezekiah questioned with the priests and the Levites concerning the heaps. 10 And Azariah the chief priest of the house of Zadok answered him, and said, Since the people began to bring the offerings into the house of the Lord, we have had enough to eat, and have left plenty: for the Lord hath blessed his people; and that which is left is this great store. 2 Chronicles 31:5-10 KJV
1. Hezekiah’s Leadership.
a. 2 Chronicles 31:20 KJV –– And thus did Hezekiah throughout all Judah, and wrought that which was good and right and truth before the Lord his God.
b. When Hezekiah became king, he chose to serve and honor God and to lead the nation back to God.
c. He humbly repented for all the evil his father and ancestors had committed.
d. He repaired and cleansed the temple and reinstated the priests and Levites.
e. He reinstituted the burnt offerings and the Passover.
f. He commanded the people to bring their first fruits, tithes and offerings, and the people brought in abundance.
g. 2 Chronicles 31:21 KJV –– And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, and in the law, and in the commandments, to seek his God, he did it with all his heart, and prospered.
h. He sought God with all his heart, obeyed God, and kept the law and the commandments; therefore, God prospered him greatly.
2. Leaders Lead.
a. Everyone in a position of leadership has an obligation to lead in a way that pleases God.
b. Firstly, they are responsible for their own heart attitude, words, and actions.
c. They are commanded to trust God above all else and to abide by His principles.
d. To serve with humility and administer judgment with no partiality.
e. To refuse bribes and resist threats.
f. To actively guard against pride and covetousness.
g. Secondly, they are responsible to those under them, to show them the way (by example) and to hold them accountable.
h. This applies to everyone in natural and spiritual leadership.
i. Including parents in the home.
3. Challenges Come.
a. 2 Chronicles 32:1 KJV –– After these things, and the establishment thereof, Sennacherib king of Assyria came, and entered into Judah, and encamped against the fenced cities, and thought to win them for himself.
b. Hezekiah and his princes and mighty men prepared to defend the city, and the people helped them.
c. But Hezekiah knew they would need the Lord’s help most of all.
d. 2 Chronicles 32:7-8 KJV –– Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him: for there be more with us than with him: 8 With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the Lord our God to help us, and to fight our battles. And the people rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.
4. Lies of the Enemy.
a. Sennacherib sent his servants to taunt Hezekiah and to get the people to doubt his leadership (2 Chr. 32:9-19).
b. The enemy tried to intimidate the people and instill fear in them, so they could weaken and defeat them.
c. In the same way, the devil tries to instill fear into your heart so he can steal the blessing of God from you.
d. 2 Chronicles 32:19 KJV –– And they spake against the God of Jerusalem, as against the gods of the people of the earth, which were the work of the hands of man.
e. The Assyrians made a big mistake—they spoke insults against the Lord God as if He was just another dumb idol.
f. The devil does this—he speaks lies against God and His Word.
g. He tries to steal our faith and get us to doubt God’s Word, His ability, and His faithfulness.
h. Do not fall for it.
5. Call on the Lord.
a. 2 Chronicles 32:20 KJV –– And for this cause Hezekiah the king, and the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz, prayed and cried to heaven.
b. If you serve God with all your heart, you can call on Him in the day of trouble, and He will not fail you.
c. 2 Chronicles 32:21-22 KJV –– And the Lord sent an angel, which cut off all the mighty men of valour, and the leaders and captains in the camp of the king of Assyria. So he returned with shame of face to his own land. And when he was come into the house of his god, they that came forth of his own bowels slew him there with the sword. 22 Thus the Lord saved Hezekiah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem from the hand of Sennacherib the king of Assyria, and from the hand of all other, and guided them on every side.
d. If you call on the Lord, He will fight your battles for you.
e. The enemy tried to destroy Hezekiah and his people, but the Lord turned it around for their good and they earned the respect of the nations around them (2 Chr. 32:23).