Many of us have wondered what we would do if we knew the time of our death. How would we live as we knew that we had five or ten more years to live? There was a king in Israel that had that knowledge. By the grace of God he was given fifteen more years to live. One day he faced death and the thought of dying without completing his work and not having a son depressed him. Hezekiah went to bed and turned his face to the wall. When someone goes to bed and turns their face to the wall it usually means that they are depressed but they do not want to share it with anyone. Ahab became depressed when Naboth would not sell him the vineyard so he went to bed and turned his face to the wall. His wife, Jezebel, reminded him that he was king and he could do whatever he wished. Then Jezebel proceeded to have Naboth killed and then went to her husband and told him that he could get up and take possession of the vineyard.
However it was not like this with Hezekiah. He was a good king and he wanted to bring about reforms in his nation. He restored the Passover celebration that brought about a revival. But his work was not completed and the prophet Isaiah came to tell him that he was to put his house in order for he was about to die. Hezekiah pleaded with the Lord and the Lord heard his prayer. As Isaiah was leaving the palace the Lord spoke to him and told him to return to Hezekiah to tell him that he would have an additional fifteen years added to his life. He then asked Hezekiah what sign he would like to have to show him that God had promised. Hezekiah said that he would like the sun to move back ten steps on the castle stairs.
The Lord responded to Hezekiah’s prayer with grace. He could have let Hezekiah die as he was told he would or He could have added an undisclosed amount of time to his life but instead He gave him a sure promise and a sign.
Concluded tomorrow LW.
3 comments:
I also find it interesting that when Hezekiah died, his son Manasseh began to reign at the age of 12. If Hezekiah had died 15 years earlier, Manasseh would never have been born. Yet he was, and went on to rule Judah for 55 years as the most wicked king the southern kingdom ever had.
Isn't it interesting the way history plays out, and the way it could have played out?
You are right and I intend to add that in my conclusion to this snap shot of grace. Was Hezekiah wrong in his prayer? Did God change His mind? Obviously God knew what Manasseh would be like yet He granted Hezekiah's request.
Sorry... didn't mean to comment prematurely on tomorrow's topic.
This passage always makes me think about what I'm praying for. Like the old expression goes, "be careful what you pray for. God just might give it to you."
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