READ: 2 Kin. 20:1–21: … you shall die … he said … O LORD, remember now that I have walked before You in truth and with a loyal heart … I have heard your prayer … I will heal you … let the shadow go back ten steps … Babylon … envoys with letters and a gift … Hezekiah showed them all his treasure house … Isaiah … behold, the days are coming … all … shall be carried to Babylon …
When Hezekiah is tested with a serious illness from which he will die, he again cries out to the LORD. In response to his supplication the LORD promises him healing. In this Hezekiah shows his dependence on the LORD and his trust in Him.
Isaiah lets Hezekiah place a lump of figs as a poultice on the boil, by which the healing comes about. Hezekiah may even receive beforehand a sign of healing to strengthen his faith. According to his choice, the shadow on the sundial goes back ten steps. The going back concerns the rays of the sun, the sunshine; whether that is the result of the turning back of the earth or the sun is not stated. It remains a great miracle.
In Isaiah 38 there is a song of praise of Hezekiah after his healing, in which he first describes his great sorrow and thereafter his praise to the LORD, in which he also confesses his sinfulness: “…For You have cast all my sins behind Your back… For Sheol cannot thank You… the living, the living man, he shall praise You… The LORD was ready to save me…”
In everything Hezekiah proves to be a believing king. Yet there comes a phase after his healing in which he acts proudly. In 2 Chr. 32:25 this is stated more clearly: “But Hezekiah did not repay according to the favor shown him, for his heart was lifted up…” That pride is shown in his displaying all his treasures to the Babylonian envoys. Hezekiah humbles himself afterwards.
How do you test yourself for pride?
Singing: Ps. 6:2,5