Bro. Bruce's commentaries for the books of Genesis, Exodus, and Leviticus are
now available in hard copy for $7.50. Just mail your request for COMMENTARY ON GENESIS to the address above.

2KINGS
CHAPTER 20

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 became very ill. Isaiah came to visit him, and said that he would surely die. He'd better make sure that everything was prepared for someone to take over his household.

2 Then he turned his face to the wall, and prayed unto the LORD, saying, 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.

Hezekiah simply prayed. Hezekiah was a "man of prayer." He didn't complain of dying, he simply asked God to "remember" his faithfulness.
If you knew you were going to die tonight, could you pray that same prayer?
Would you be comfortable enough with God's decision for your death, that you would simply pray and ask God to remember how you'd been FAITHFUL?

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, 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. 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. 7 And Isaiah said, Take a lump of figs. And they took and laid it on the boil, and he recovered.

The book of James tells us that the "effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth MUCH" (James 5:16).
God heard Hezekiah's prayer and decided to heal him. Before Isaiah had reached the outer area of the king's court, God spoke to him. He told Isaiah to go back and tell Hezekiah that he would be healed. Within three days, Hezekiah would be able to visit the temple and pray.
Furthermore, God would add 15 years to his life!
What would you do if you KNEW that God would give you 15 years? How would you respond to God by USING those years?
With a simple "lump of figs" placed on a boil, Hezekiah was healed. Now listen: I don't think those figs had much healing power. But they were a form of "modern medicine," so to speak.
It was God that healed Hezekiah. And here God is telling us that we should make use of such medicines as is proper when we are ill. However, we should firmly trust GOD for our healing!

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? 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? 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. 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.

The true test of prophecy is a "sign." Hezekiah asked for a sign that this prophecy of his healing would be true. He desired to go up to the "house of the Lord" and worship.
He did not ask for a sign so that he would know that he could rule, or have time with his family, or any other worldly thing. He asked for a sign so that he might WORSHIP GOD!
Ahaz was credited for building a clock. It was actually a series of steps which measured the sun's shadow. Isaiah asked if Hezekiah would like to see the shadows move forward or backward by ten degrees. That would be about 5 hours (most scholars agree that each degree was about 1/2 hour).
Hezekiah replied that it would be simple for the shadows to go FORWARD, so let them go BACKWARD.
So the shadows did - just like God commanded.
Did you HEAR that?
God will even run time BACKWARD for His people! What a GREAT and LOVING God we serve!

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. 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. 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. 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. 16 And Isaiah said unto Hezekiah, Hear the word of the LORD. 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. 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. 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?

The prince (son of the king) of Babylon sent a present to Hezekiah by ambassadors. It was one of those "token" things that kings and princes do for one another. He was sort of sending a "get well" card to Hezekiah.
But this prince probably had an ulterior motive too. Babylon was under the rule of the Assyrians at that time - so was Hezekiah. The Babylonians worshipped the "sun god" and perhaps this prince had heard that Hezekiah had been healed by the sun. Rumors do get turned around sometime.
Maybe this prince (and his father as well) wanted to know if Hezekiah was now going to plot a rebellion against Assyria. If so, they might make a treaty and do battle together.
Now Hezekiah was very proud of all that God had done for him. He gave these ambassadors the "grand tour."
However, Hezekiah had the perfect opportunity to show these men God's house and witness to them about the ONE real God Whom he served. And he didn't do that.
God was disappointed. Is God ever disappointed in your failiur to witness on His behalf?

Isaiah came and gave Hezekiah another word from God. Hezekiah would soon die and all his treasures would be scooped up by the Babylonians. It would be the Babylonians that would capture Jerusalem and Judah - not the Assyrians. And Hezekiah'g grandsons would be carried away captive and made to be eunuchs.

Look at Hezekiah's one-sentence prayer (verse 19).
In one short statement he shows submission to God's Word and will. To Hezekiah God's Word is GOOD even when it contains DISCIPLINE. He realizes God is JUST, and he is receiving JUST discipline.
He also realizes that God's GRACE is giving him MORE than he deserves. For he will have PEACE the remainder of his years.
Even though God disciplines us, His Word (His WHOLE Word) is GOOD! And God always gives better than we deserve!

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? 21 And Hezekiah slept with his fathers: and Manasseh his son reigned in his stead.

Hezekiah died, and his son Manasseh took the kingdom. He was one of the WORST kings that Judah ever had.
Isn't it amazing? Good and godly men can do so much for God in leadership. Good and godly men can receive so much from God in blessings. But then, their children sometimes turn away from God Who has allowed them to be who they are and have what they have.

Please continue in Bible Study with us.