Topical Bible: Blessing: Temporal, from God: Hezekiah Restored to Health

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The account of King Hezekiah's restoration to health is a profound example of a temporal blessing from God, illustrating His mercy and power to intervene in the lives of His people. This event is recorded in the book of 2 Kings 20:1-11 and Isaiah 38:1-8, where Hezekiah, the king of Judah, falls gravely ill.

In 2 Kings 20:1 , the narrative begins with the prophet Isaiah delivering a dire message from the Lord: "In those days Hezekiah became mortally ill. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz came to him and said, 'This is what the LORD says: Put your house in order, for you are about to die; you will not recover.'" Faced with the prospect of death, Hezekiah turns to the Lord in earnest prayer, seeking divine intervention.

Hezekiah's prayer is a heartfelt plea for mercy, as he reminds God of his faithfulness and wholehearted devotion. In 2 Kings 20:3 , Hezekiah prays, "Please, O LORD, remember how I have walked before You faithfully and with wholehearted devotion; I have done what is good in Your sight." Overcome with emotion, Hezekiah weeps bitterly, demonstrating his deep reliance on God.

God's response to Hezekiah's prayer is swift and compassionate. Before Isaiah has left the middle court, the word of the Lord comes to him again, instructing him to return to Hezekiah with a message of hope. In 2 Kings 20:5-6 , the Lord says, "Go back and tell Hezekiah, the leader of My people, 'This is what the LORD, the God of your father David, says: I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Behold, I will heal you. On the third day from now you will go up to the house of the LORD. I will add fifteen years to your life. And I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria. I will defend this city for My sake and for the sake of My servant David.'"

This divine promise not only assures Hezekiah of his recovery but also extends his life by fifteen years, underscoring the temporal nature of the blessing. Furthermore, God provides a sign to confirm His promise. Hezekiah requests a sign, and the Lord grants it by causing the shadow on the sundial of Ahaz to go back ten steps, as recorded in 2 Kings 20:9-11 .

Hezekiah's restoration to health serves as a testament to God's willingness to bless His people with temporal gifts, such as health and extended life, in response to sincere prayer and faithfulness. This account highlights the importance of turning to God in times of distress and trusting in His sovereign ability to alter circumstances according to His divine will.

Nave's Topical Index

2 Kings 20:1-7
In those days was Hezekiah sick to death. And the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz came to him, and said to him, Thus said the LORD, Set your house in order; for you shall die, and not live.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

A Prayer when one Begins to be Sick.
... loving-kindness, whereby thou dost with thy temporal judgments draw ... be not expired
(Job 14:5)"God will either ... such means as, that by his blessing upon their ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/bayly/the practice of piety/a prayer when one begins.htm

City of God
... But Also in Connection with Temporal Prosperity, Because ... to Man, and What to Live
According to God. ... Man's Transgression Did Not Annul the Blessing of Fecundity ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/

Of a Private Fast.
... by Satan solicited; or to obtain some special blessing which he ... God in mercy to turn
away his temporal judgments from us ... his request at the hand of God; both in ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bayly/the practice of piety/i of a private fast.htm

The Psalms and Hymns of Isaac Watts
... 103 PART 1 Praise for spiritual and temporal mercies ... PSALM 127 The blessing of God
on the business and ... HYMN 62 Christ Jesus, the Lamb of God, worshipped by all ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watts/the psalms and hymns of isaac watts/

The Sixth Commandment
... The blessing of him that was ready to perish ... faces, administer to their necessities;
be temporal saviours to then ... that they which have believed in God, might be ...
/.../watson/the ten commandments/2 6 the sixth commandment.htm

A Mystery! Saints Sorrowing and Jesus Glad!
... you have been helped over a time of temporal distress ... His mercy listened to their
prayer; the blessing came, and ... feast upon the sure word of their faithful God. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 10 1864/a mystery saints sorrowing and.htm

Prayer Answered, Love Nourished
... If the Lord had given you his blessing one day before it ... God to answer man's prayer
for spiritual and for temporal things too ... God has heard my voice in my prayer ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/prayer answered love nourished.htm

Regeneration by Faith. Of Repentance.
... [307] Hezekiah was frightened ... For though he met with a refusal, a temporal blessing
was granted to ... But as, according to the declaration of God, the spiritual ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 3 regeneration by faith.htm

The Second Commandment
... but religious parents procure a blessing upon their ... All God's judgements set themselves
in battle array against the disobedient: temporal judgements and ...
/.../watson/the ten commandments/2 2 the second commandment.htm

Another Wonderful Record of 25.
... THE NECESSITY OF ASKING GOD'S BLESSING EVERY DAY, UPON YOUR ... to pray thus unconditionally
respecting temporal concerns? ... thou ever be inclined by God's Spirit to ...
/.../various/the wonders of prayer/another wonderful record of 25 00.htm