2 Kings 20 (King James Version)
1 In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz came to him, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live.
Hezekiah was very sick. God sent Isaiah to tell him he would die. Here it is not mentioned why a message is being sent to Hezekiah. Hezekiah knew that if a word is coming from God through Isaiah, it was a word that judged his behavior.
This verse also teaches me more about how to study the Word of God. I now know that to unfold the full account of Hezekiah as king, I will include each time he is mentioned in scripture and combine all details to get the whole picture. Gathering everything each book states about Hezekiah is the same as studying the life of Jesus in the synoptic gospel as told in the new testament.
2 Then he turned his face to the wall, and prayed unto the LORD, saying,
To turn his face to the wall is to reflect on nothing but what he heard. I need to focus on God without distractions. To bother me now would be dangerous. My soul needs a moment with God and God alone. Anybody in the room with me right now, I am asking you to leave.
3 I beseech thee, O LORD, remember now how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore.
To hear you are going to die and you are at death's door? I am sick, and I know I will not be healed; First, I am not ready to die, and I don't want to die right now. Hezekiah asked God to remember something he did right. Hezekiah knows he has been disobedient; now he asks God to remember when he was on the right track. Hezekiah wept sorely. He cried from his soul. When we call from our most inner being, our cry is pure. When our hearts are pure, God responds.
4 And it came to pass, afore Isaiah was gone out into the middle court, that the word of the LORD came to him, saying,
Before Isaiah reached the middle court having left Hezekiah's room, God spoke to him concerning Hezekiah.
5 Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the captain of my people, Thus saith the LORD, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee: on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of the LORD.
Go back to Hezekiah's room. God does not refer to him as king; he calls him captain of my people. Tell him I have heard your prayer. I saw your tears, and I will heal you. You will go to the house of the Lord on day three.
6 And I will add unto thy days fifteen years; and I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for mine own sake, and for my servant David's sake.
God continues by saying I will allow you to live 15 more years. God also said I will not allow the Assyrians to come near the city. Tell him I will not let this city be destroyed because of David and because I have a purpose for Jerusalem.
When Hezekiah cried out to God, the attack from chapter 19 had not taken place. This verse indicates what was going on while or before the threat of the Assyrians.
7 And Isaiah said, Take a lump of figs. And they took and laid it on the boil, and he recovered.
Laying the figs on the boil allowed the skin to return to its natural state.
When we see the change of what is an indicator of something outwardly wrong, it can be viewed as for the removal of sickness; however, Hezekiah apparently understood that he wanted a cure so that it would not come back again. Hezekiah is at this time relatively young. He is 39, and at this age, it was not common for a person of his age to be sick, not to mention sick unto death.
Hezekiah had a boil (swelling of the skin). Isaiah said to take a lump of figs and place it on the spot. God used a natural remedy to cure a deadly infection.
God knows how to heal us. God uses what is available to us to help us. God uses the simple things in life l while we spend money and time searching for something, all while the answer is near us.
8 And Hezekiah said unto Isaiah, What shall be the sign that the LORD will heal me, and that I shall go up into the house of the LORD the third day?
Hezekiah wanted to know a sign that will guarantee his healing. He also understood that he had no right to enter the presence of God with sickness in the house of the Lord. (Hezekiah knew the law God gave Moses.) If he did enter the temple, he would die anyway. Hezekiah, at this point, did not want any separation from God.
9 And Isaiah said, This sign shalt thou have of the LORD, that the LORD will do the thing that he hath spoken: shall the shadow go forward ten degrees, or go back ten degrees?
Isaiah showed the patience of God toward Hezekiah. Hezekiah was afraid. Hezekiah has questions, and he wanted to be 100% sure of his healing. God listened and offered a sign, and Hezekiah had a choice given to give extra proof God would keep his word.
God responds to us when we are sincere. No matter if doubts of what he said are evident. Hezekiah showed in his previous leadership that he was a good man. He knew he did not deserve what was requested but did not hesitate to make sure he understood the process God was doing.
10 And Hezekiah answered, It is a light thing for the shadow to go down ten degrees: nay, but let the shadow return backward ten degrees.
Hezekiah wanted extra proof of his healing. He said give me what was thought to be the harder of two choices.
11 And Isaiah the prophet cried unto the LORD: and he brought the shadow ten degrees backward, by which it had gone down in the dial of Ahaz.
Isaiah cried unto the Lord. Isaiah wanted it known that I will ask him to hear what you are requesting. We can cry out to God about anything.
12 At that time Berodachbaladan, the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present unto Hezekiah: for he had heard that Hezekiah had been sick.
Hezekiah received letters and gifts from people who had no good intent. When gifts arrive, we sometimes forget who sent them and why. Hezekiah seemed to have lost focus on who he was and who he is at this time.
Hezekiah has been healed, but now he is blinded by gifts, and this is something he will regret later.
13 And Hezekiah hearkened unto them, and shewed them all the house of his precious things, the silver, and the gold, and the spices, and the precious ointment, and all the house of his armour, and all that was found in his treasures: there was nothing in his house, nor in all his dominion, that Hezekiah shewed them not.
God gives us things. When we do as he says, he will add things we like. However, we can't allow the perishables of life to be the control center of who we are. God is a gift-giver. It is God who Hezekiah should have been sharing. The best thing about us is we get a chance to share God's word. Anything we have that blinds us from the Giver, is pride. Pride hurts us all the time.
14 Then came Isaiah the prophet unto king Hezekiah, and said unto him, What said these men? and from whence came they unto thee? And Hezekiah said, They are come from a far country, even from Babylon.
God tells Isaiah to get Hezekiah's attention. When we drift in life, God loves us enough to send a floater to bring us back to the shore. Isaiah asks questions. Isaiah knew the answers, but he wanted Hezekiah to tell what he knew. Isaiah wanted to see if he understood what he just did.
Who are these people you let in your house? Where are they from? These are questions we should not be afraid to ask when you allow people into your space. Today we live in a world that connects us to anybody. We should be careful how we allow people to come into our room. Don't be afraid to ask upfront questions from the start. If people want to know you, don't allow their kind gift of gab to make you feel comfortable letting them get in your world.
15 And he said, What have they seen in thine house? And Hezekiah answered, All the things that are in mine house have they seen: there is nothing among my treasures that I have not shewed them.
Isaiah continues to ask questions. What did you allow them to see in your house? Hezekiah answered; I showed them everything from top to bottom.
We can learn from Hezekiah's behavior of forgetting how to conduct ourselves with strangers with gifts.
16 And Isaiah said unto Hezekiah, Hear the word of the LORD.
Isaiah said God sent me to you. Listen to what he has to say.
17 Behold, the days come, that all that is in thine house, and that which thy fathers have laid up in store unto this day, shall be carried into Babylon: nothing shall be left, saith the LORD.
Isaiah told Hezekiah, you will be robbed. Not right now, but in days to come. This is a guarantee.
When we see this lesson, please avoid all encounters of friendly smiles. Know who you are letting into your life.
18 And of thy sons that shall issue from thee, which thou shalt beget, shall they take away; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.
The people you allowed to enter your house are going to do much damage. So much so it will affect the welfare of your sons. Your sons will not be husbands. Their jobs will be eunuchs in the house of the king of Babylon.
When we leave God, we affect more than we can pay. Our children are affected by our decisions. Bringing wrong people into our lives is dangerous. We must seek God's word to navigate life.
We must learn the lesson in the old testament and pray and ask God to forgive us for all the wrong turns we took in life so that our children will not be linked to the dead ends of life.
19 Then said Hezekiah unto Isaiah, Good is the word of the LORD which thou hast spoken. And he said, Is it not good, if peace and truth be in my days?
When Hezekiah heard the judgment of God concerning his actions, he called it good; he called it right and called it just.
Hezekiah was aware that part of God's judgment would happen after he is no longer alive. Could it be understood that Hezekiah was not prideful in understanding this, but perhaps knowing this would not happen that day was somewhat a relief? Or could it be that Hezekiah is saying, Although God is allowing me to stay alive but will what I have done allow me to enjoy the 15 years he has added to my life?
20 And the rest of the acts of Hezekiah, and all his might, and how he made a pool, and a conduit, and brought water into the city, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?
Hezekiah lived, and he was productive. More details about Hezekia's life will be found as we continue reading one chapter daily in the book of Chronicles.
21 And Hezekiah slept with his fathers: and Manasseh his son reigned in his stead.
The fifteen years God added to his life expired, and his son reigned in his place.
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