Hezekiah’s Tunnel | Bible Trek – Jerusalem in the Old Testament series – 03

Описание: In one of the most ancient parts of Jerusalem you can explore Hezekiah’s Tunnel. This underground water system dates back to the eighth century BC and is referenced in the books of 2 Chronicles and 2 Kings. The site represents a remarkable feat of underground engineering in which the Gihon Spring was re-routed to connect with the Pool of Siloam and secure a vital water source for the city in a time of crisis.

𝗥𝗘𝗙𝗟𝗘𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡

𝗤𝘂𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱
2 Kings 20.20

𝗜𝗻 𝗮 𝗻𝘂𝘁𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗹
𝘚𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘓𝘰𝘳𝘥 𝘴𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘏𝘦𝘻𝘦𝘬𝘪𝘢𝘩 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘪𝘯𝘩𝘢𝘣𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘑𝘦𝘳𝘶𝘴𝘢𝘭𝘦𝘮 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘒𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘚𝘦𝘯𝘯𝘢𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘣 𝘰𝘧 𝘈𝘴𝘴𝘺𝘳𝘪𝘢. – 2 Chronicles 32.20

𝗟𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱
Over two and half millennia before the arrival of high-tech engineering, people in ancient Jerusalem began to dig a subterranean waterway. It was a race against time. Sennacherib, ruler of the Assyrian military superpower to the east, was moving his troops toward the City of David.

In order to secure the water supply during the impending Assyrian siege and make it unavailable to the enemy, King Hezekiah had Jerusalem’s water source, the Gihon spring, rerouted into the Pool of Siloam at the south-western edge of the city. Starting at both ends – the spring and the pool – labourers cut the underground tunnel into solid rock and, amazingly, ended up meeting midway. Between them they had covered the length of five football pitches.

Modern-day historians commonly date the tunnel back to Hezekiah’s era, thereby confirming what the Bible says: ‘King Hezekiah ... dug a tunnel to bring water into the city’ (2 Kings 20.20).

𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗿
The loss of a job or even a loved one, stress, or anxiety can cause us to feel ‘surrounded’. When he was surrounded, quite literally, Hezekiah experienced God ‘surrounding’ him. How? Through prayer and practical action.

At a practical level, Hezekiah consulted others, cut off the enemy’s water supply, repaired the walls, strengthened the city’s fortresses and dug a tunnel to their water source. What practical steps can you take today as you feel ‘surrounded’? Can you turn to a friend for wisdom? Might it be time to change your diet, start exercising or consider therapy sessions? Sometimes small changes can make a big difference.

Hezekiah didn’t just do things; he prayed. And not alone either. Together with the prophet Isaiah, he cried out to heaven. Prayer is less about having everything together and far more a cry of help. When we’re in the pit, when we feel surrounded, we may try and get out on our own. But in God we have a source of unlimited power and wisdom, and he wants to help us. Why not send a cry to heaven right now and ask that God would surround you and fight the battle for you?

𝗝𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗻
Read on, to find out more about King Hezekiah:

Ups and downs of leadership: 2 Chronicles 32