We read in 2 Kings 20:5, “go back to Hezekiah, ruler of the LORD's people, and say to him, "I, the LORD, the God of your ancestor David, have heard your prayer and seen your tears. I will heal you, and in three days you will go to the Temple.” (GNB)
King Hezekiah was really sick, and near to death when these words were brought to him by the prophet Isaiah.
The summary of this message that was conveyed by the Lord to Hezekiah had four parts:
• God had heard his prayers
• God had seen his tears
• God would heal him
• Hezekiah would go back to the temple in three days
If the Lord were to share the same message with each one of us, it would prove to be beneficial to us too. These are difficult days for many, and there are numerous prayers that are being offered to the Lord, and much tears are being shed. The Lord reminds us that He will give heed to our prayers, and is mindful of our tears too. We have a God who also heals us so that we can go to the temple to worship Him again.
Background to this verse
We read in 2 Kings 20:1, “About this time King Hezekiah became sick and almost died. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz went to see him and said to him, "The LORD tells you that you are to put everything in order, because you will not recover. Get ready to die."” (GNB)
King Hezekiah was seriously ill, and was on the threshold of death. The calamities that surrounded Hezekiah were many. He was a young man, only thirty nine years of age, he had no child, and he was now in a vulnerable position of becoming easy target to his enemies. Moreover, the prophet Isaiah had spoken doom, and asked Hezekiah to set things in order, as his death was impending.
There are many who are in such complicated situations as Hezekiah found himself in. May I encourage such that as you read this message, pray that God will encourage your hearts. As you choose to obey the word of God as it is revealed, you too will experience healing, and deliverance in your lives.
Hezekiah looked to God
When Hezekiah heard this word from the prophet of God this is what he did.
We read in 2 Kings 20:2, “Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed:” (GNB)
In the palace where Hezekiah lived, there sure would have been many counsellors, physicians and even the prophet of God was there. Nonetheless, when Hezekiah heard the news that death was forthcoming, he did not look to any of those who were there with him. Instead, Hezekiah turned his face away from everyone, faced the wall, and turned to the Lord in prayer.
There is a habit among many these days, that when challenged with any sort of ill-health, they immediately search the net to discover what their symptoms could signify. At the end of this search, there is a sense of fear that grips their hearts, as they are unable to comprehend what their condition truly is. When the heart grows weary, be sure the body too will become weak. It would be wise therefore to not rush to the internet to find out what our ailment could be, as there is much information that we do not understand, and also a lot of which is also not authentic. Especially in recent times, there are so many who profess to be medics, sharing their views freely on the internet, and giving umpteen suggestions. It is good to take everything with caution, and not be those who ingest any and every information without much thought.
There are others who when faced with any problem, will immediately rush to others asking them to pray for them. It is good for us to pray for one another, but let us be reminded that we must firstly go down on our knees, and seek the Lord fervently.
God answers our prayers
When Hezekiah turned his face toward the Lord in prayer, the Lord hearkened unto his prayer. If you are wondering if God will answer your prayer, here’s a scripture that will confirm this to you.
We read in Psalm 50:15, Call to me when trouble comes; I will save you, and you will praise me." (GNB)
God’s word is forthright, that when challenged with trouble we must call on Him. If we so do, God promised that He will come to deliver us, so that we can praise His name. The goal of our prayers is that we will triumph over our troubles, and God will be glorified through all of it.
Hezekiah was faithful to God
This was Hezekiah’s prayer to God as he turned his face toward the wall.
We read in 2 Kings 20:3, “"Remember, LORD, that I have served you faithfully and loyally and that I have always tried to do what you wanted me to." And he began to cry bitterly.” (GNB)
Hezekiah reminded God that he had walked in integrity, and had served God faithfully. He had always tried to do everything that God approved of. Though this prayer was short, it was apt and concise with no unnecessary words. From the day that Hezekiah was appointed king, he set his heart to do those things that God was pleased with. Interestingly, Hezekiah’s father was a wicked man who even stopped the worship in the temple. However, Hezekiah chose to be different, and was zealous to ardently follow the precepts of the Lord.
Sadly, so many people want to set things right in their lives, only when they are faced with a terminal illness, and know that they do not have much time left. As children of God we too like Hezekiah must choose to do those things that God applauds all through our life.
We read in 2 Chronicles 29:2, “Following the example of his ancestor King David, he did what was pleasing to the LORD.”(GNB)
Hezekiah followed after the ways of King David who was his fore-father, and did everything that was completely pleasing to the Lord. The first thing that King Hezekiah did when he became king, was to open the temple of God for worship, which his father had shut down. Hezekiah renovated the temple, and also appointed the Priests and Levites to continue the regular worship in the temple. He also destroyed all forms of idolatry that the Lord detested.
There was one more thing that Hezekiah did courageously during his reign. As the Israelites wandered through the wilderness during the time of Moses, at one point they grumbled against God so much that God was angered, and sent venomous snakes to destroy the people. When Moses pleaded with God to be gracious to them, God commanded Moses to make a bronze serpent which was to be lifted up on a pole. Anyone who looked on that serpent that was lifted up was cured of the snake bite, and they were healed. Over a period of time the Israelites began to worship this bronze serpent. Hezekiah knew that worship was due to God alone, and nothing or no one else should ever take His place in worship. Hezekiah was convinced that God forbade the worship of this bronze serpent, and therefore he had it destroyed. God was so pleased with Hezekiah that God was with him, and gave him success in all that he did. Hezekiah became king when he was just twenty five years old, and throughout his reign he did everything that was acceptable, and pleasing to the Lord. Not only did Hezekiah appoint priests and Levites to continue the worship in the temple, he also ordered that there be those who will meet their needs as well.
It is good to analyze our own lives to see if we are leading lives that are acceptable to God. Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, Jesus Christ was lifted up on a cross, and gave His life as a ransom on our behalf. Those who look to Jesus will certainly be saved from their sins.
There are many who have left their families, and the comfort of their homes to travel to distant places to serve as missionaries. It is important that we should support such people who are serving God in remote places. We may be going through financial crisis, but let us do our best to help those who are serving the Lord faithfully in various parts of our country, and the world. Let us not lose out on the zeal we had for the Lord by letting our present circumstances overwhelm us.
God answered Hezekiah’s prayer
As Hezekiah turned towards the wall and cried out to the Lord, he received an immediate reply from the Lord.
We read in 2 Kings 20:4-5, Isaiah left the king, but before he had passed through the central courtyard of the palace the LORD told him to go back to Hezekiah, ruler of the LORD's people, and say to him, "I, the LORD, the God of your ancestor David, have heard your prayer and seen your tears. I will heal you, and in three days you will go to the Temple. (GNB)
Isaiah had just left the presence of the king, when God stopped him in his tracks. God heard this simple and meaningful prayer of King Hezekiah, and decided to respond to him favorably. God heard his prayers, saw his tears, healed him for the sole purpose that he could go back to worship at the temple.
May we too never miss the opportunity to come together to worship the Lord whenever possible.
God lengthened Hezekiah’s life span
We read in 2 Kings 20:6, I will let you live fifteen years longer. I will rescue you and this city Jerusalem from the emperor of Assyria. I will defend this city, for the sake of my own honor and because of the promise I made to my servant David." (GNB)
God added another fifteen years to the life of Hezekiah. God also assured Hezekiah that the city of Jerusalem where he reigned would be kept safe, and that the Assyrians would not be able to overpower them, for God would Himself defend His people.
These were the blessings that God showered on Hezekiah who pleaded with God for healing.
• God healed Hezekiah
• God added another fifteen years to his life
• God guaranteed that his kingdom would be kept safe
• God gave a son to Hezekiah who was until then childless
When God answered Hezekiah’s prayers, all of his fears were removed, and the blessings of the Lord rested on him.
The cure the prophet suggested
This was not the end for we read in 2 Kings 20:7,“Then Isaiah said, "Crush figs together and put them on your sore; you will get well." So they took the mixture of figs and put it on Hezekiah's sore place, and he got well.” (ERV)
Here’s something interesting that the prophet Isaiah did after the word of the Lord came regards the healing and extension of life for King Hezekiah. He asked the men to bring figs, crush them, and place them on the sore that Hezekiah had, and he got well.
There are many who use faith as a reason to avoid medicines. The incident that happened in the life of King Hezekiah is a clear indication that there is nothing wrong with seeking medical help. Today there is a lot of controversy about the vaccines too, and there are those who are fearful that it could probably be the mark of the beast. Let me explain this from our day to day life. In recent times a baby is given an average of sixteen vaccines to be protected against various diseases. Many of us have those marks of the vaccinations we received as babies on our bodies, and this is not in any way the mark of the beast. If we do not read the word of God accurately, we will be in danger of misunderstanding or misinterpreting the word. Let us be reminded from the experience of King Hezekiah that God will also use the medical advancements to bring healing from diseases.
Let us apply the lessons that we learnt from the life of Hezekiah in our own lives. Like Hezekiah we too must always seek to please the Lord, and walk in His ways alone. When the doors of the church remain open, may we be ready and willing to come together to worship, and fellowship with one another. We should decide to seek God not only when times are tough, but all of the time. In all of our calamities may we look to the Lord alone, and not turn to men. Our prayers to God should be meaningful and precise, just as the prayer of Hezekiah was. If we do all that Hezekiah did, the Lord will give heed to our prayers, will answer us, and guide us without fail. Laying aside all our fears may we learn to do the will of God every day of our lives.
Rev. F. Andrew Dixon
www.goodnewsfriends.net
Transcribed by: Sis. Esther Collins
