Book of 2 Kings - Chapter 18 - Verse 4

This verse from the book of 2 Kings in the Bible describes how King Hezekiah of Judah cleansed the land of idolatry by removing the high places, breaking the images, cutting down the groves, and destroying the brazen serpent that Moses had made. The brazen serpent, which was originally created by Moses at God's command to heal the Israelites from snake bites in the wilderness, had been turned into an object of worship by the people. They began burning incense to it, idolizing it as a god. Hezekiah recognized the idolatrous practices of the people and realized that the brazen serpent, known as Nehushtan, had become a stumbling block to true worship of God. Therefore, he destroyed it to put an end to the worship of false gods and to restore the Israelites' focus on the one true God. This verse serves as a reminder of the dangers of idolatry and the importance of pure worship in the eyes of God.

One interpretation of this verse lies in its theological significance. The actions described, such as removing high places, breaking down images, cutting down groves, and destroying the brazen serpent made by Moses, highlight the importance of purging idolatry and false worship from the midst of God's people. The destruction of the brazen serpent, which had become an object of worship for the Israelites, serves as a reminder of the dangers of idolizing even seemingly holy relics. By denouncing the brazen serpent and referring to it as "Nehushtan" (a derogatory term meaning "a piece of brass"), King Hezekiah emphasized the need for sincere and exclusive worship of God alone. This theological interpretation underscores the significance of discerning true worship from false practices and the importance of upholding purity in devotion to God.