Topical Bible: Disease of Hezekiah

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Topical Encyclopedia

The disease of Hezekiah is a significant event recorded in the Old Testament, specifically in the books of 2 Kings, 2 Chronicles, and Isaiah. This event highlights the themes of divine intervention, prayer, and the power of faith.

Biblical Account

The narrative of Hezekiah's illness is primarily found in 2 Kings 20:1-11, 2 Chronicles 32:24-26, and Isaiah 38:1-8. Hezekiah, the king of Judah, became gravely ill during his reign. The prophet Isaiah, son of Amoz, was sent by God to deliver a message to Hezekiah: "This is what the LORD says: Put your house in order, for you are about to die; you will not recover" (2 Kings 20:1).

Upon receiving this dire prophecy, Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed earnestly to the LORD, reminding God of his faithfulness and wholehearted devotion. Hezekiah wept bitterly, seeking divine mercy and intervention (2 Kings 20:2-3).

Divine Response and Healing

God responded to Hezekiah's prayer through the prophet Isaiah. Before Isaiah had left the middle court, the word of the LORD came to him again, instructing him to return to Hezekiah with a new message: "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" (2 Kings 20:5). God promised to add fifteen years to Hezekiah's life and deliver Jerusalem from the Assyrian threat (2 Kings 20:6).

As a sign of this promise, God caused the shadow on the sundial of Ahaz to go back ten steps, a miraculous event that confirmed the certainty of Hezekiah's healing and the extension of his life (2 Kings 20:8-11).

Theological Significance

The account of Hezekiah's illness and recovery underscores the power of prayer and God's responsiveness to the sincere petitions of His people. Hezekiah's immediate turn to prayer in the face of impending death exemplifies a deep trust in God's sovereignty and compassion. The narrative also illustrates God's willingness to alter the course of events in response to human intercession, highlighting the dynamic relationship between divine will and human agency.

Furthermore, Hezekiah's experience serves as a testament to God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises. The extension of Hezekiah's life and the miraculous sign of the sundial emphasize God's control over time and nature, reinforcing His omnipotence and the reliability of His word.

Historical and Cultural Context

Hezekiah's reign, which took place in the late 8th century BC, was marked by significant religious reforms and efforts to restore the worship of Yahweh in Judah. His illness occurred during a period of political and military tension, particularly with the Assyrian Empire. The healing of Hezekiah not only had personal implications but also national significance, as it assured the continuation of his leadership during a critical time for Judah.

Lessons and Reflections

The account of Hezekiah's disease invites believers to reflect on the importance of faith, prayer, and repentance. It encourages individuals to seek God's intervention in times of crisis and to trust in His perfect timing and purposes. Hezekiah's response to his illness serves as a model of humility and dependence on God, reminding believers of the power of heartfelt prayer and the hope found in God's promises.

Nave's Topical Index

2 Kings 20:1-11
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

Isaiah 38:1-8
In those days was Hezekiah sick to death. And Isaiah the prophet 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

Hezekiah's Song; Or, Sickness and Recovery. Isa. 38:9Ff.
... We take the pattern of our praise. From Hezekiah's tongue. The gates of the devouring
grave. ... Jehovah speaks the healing word,. And no disease withstands; ...
/.../watts/the psalms and hymns of isaac watts/hymn 55 hezekiahs song or.htm

On the Song of Songs.
... wrote of the physiology of plants, and all kinds of animals belonging to the dry
land, and the air, and the sea, and of the cures of disease, Hezekiah did away ...
/.../the extant works and fragments of hippolytus/on the song of songs.htm

Hezekiah, the Praying King
... know that it did not cure the deadly disease, and yet a means to aid or to test
faith. But still more praying was to be done. Isaiah and Hezekiah could not do ...
/.../bounds/prayer and praying men/vi hezekiah the praying king.htm

The Immutability of God
... Then he decreed that Isaiah should go and tell Hezekiah that his disease was incurable,
and then say also in the same breath, "But I will cure it, and thou ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/the immutability of god.htm

A Miracle of Grace
... You will remember that Hezekiah was stricken with a mortal disease, and Isaiah,
the prophet, come to him and said, "Thus saith the Lord, Set thine house in ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 62 1916/a miracle of grace.htm

Much More Versus Much Less
... But Hezekiah kept his eyes and the eyes of the people fixed on the unseen things,
and ... Do we really believe that the remedy is "much more" than the disease? ...
/.../smith/the god of all comfort/chapter 9 much more versus.htm

Beloved, and yet Afflicted
... not you, dear sick friend, often wondered how your painful or lingering disease
could be ... If Job, and David, and Hezekiah must each one smart, who are we that ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 26 1880/beloved and yet afflicted.htm

Reformation Lessons
... And even after her death, for thirty years, came times, such as Hezekiah speaks
of"times of ... to get up and go about to his work the moment his disease takes a ...
/.../kingsley/all saints day and other sermons/sermon xxxii reformation lessons.htm

The victory of Life (Preached at the Chapel Royal. )
... The living, the living, shall praise God; as Hezekiah praises Him that day, because
God has cured him ... That that is anything but an evil, an anomaly, a disease? ...
/.../kingsley/the water of life and other sermons/sermon iii the victory of.htm

Book 9 Footnotes
... to me otherwise but that Benhadad immediately recovered of his disease, as the ... [2]
What Josephus says here, how Isaiah the prophet assured Hezekiah that "at ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/book 9 footnotes.htm