Topical Encyclopedia Hezekiah, the son of Ahaz, was the king of Judah who reigned during a period of significant spiritual reform and political challenge. His account is notably marked by a profound moment of repentance during a severe illness, as recorded in the books of 2 Kings, 2 Chronicles, and Isaiah.Context and Background Hezekiah ascended to the throne of Judah at the age of 25 and reigned for 29 years (2 Kings 18:2). He is remembered for his faithfulness to God, as he removed high places, shattered sacred stones, and cut down Asherah poles, striving to restore the worship of Yahweh (2 Kings 18:4). His reign was characterized by a return to the covenantal faithfulness that had been neglected by his predecessors. The Illness and Prophetic Message In the fourteenth year of his reign, Hezekiah fell gravely ill. The prophet Isaiah, son of Amoz, delivered a message from the Lord, saying, "Put your house in order, for you are about to die; you will not recover" (2 Kings 20:1). This pronouncement was a divine warning that prompted Hezekiah to seek the Lord earnestly. Hezekiah's Repentance and Prayer Upon receiving the dire prophecy, Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord. His prayer was a heartfelt plea for mercy, reflecting his devotion and righteous deeds: "Please, O LORD, remember how I have walked before You faithfully and with wholehearted devotion; I have done what is good in Your sight" (2 Kings 20:3). Hezekiah wept bitterly, demonstrating a sincere repentance and dependence on God's grace. God's Response and Healing The Lord, moved by Hezekiah's prayer and tears, instructed Isaiah to return to the king with a message of hope and healing. The Lord declared, "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, reaffirming His covenantal faithfulness. Sign of Assurance As a sign of His promise, the Lord caused the shadow on the sundial of Ahaz to go back ten steps, a miraculous event that confirmed the certainty of God's word to Hezekiah (2 Kings 20:9-11). This sign served as a tangible assurance of divine intervention and favor. Theological Implications Hezekiah's experience underscores the power of repentance and prayer in the life of a believer. His account illustrates that genuine repentance involves a heartfelt turning to God, acknowledging one's dependence on His mercy and grace. It also highlights God's readiness to respond to sincere repentance with compassion and restoration. Legacy and Reflection Hezekiah's repentance during his illness is a testament to his faith and the transformative power of seeking God in times of distress. His life serves as an example of how leaders and individuals alike can turn to God in humility, trusting in His sovereign will and benevolent purposes. Nave's Topical Index 2 Chronicles 32:26Notwithstanding Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart, both he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the wrath of the LORD came not on them in the days of Hezekiah. Nave's Topical Index Library Meditations for the Sick. Manasseh A Prayer when one Begins to be Sick. The Assyrian Captivity Matthew xxii. 32 Thankfulness for Mercies Received, a Necessary Duty An Exhortation to Theodore after his Fall. Letter I. A Mystery! Saints Sorrowing and Jesus Glad! The Apocalypse of Baruch. Out of the Deep of Fear and Anxiety. Resources How to repent'what does the Bible say? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean that God is not willing for any to perish, but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9)? | GotQuestions.org What does it mean that today is the day of salvation? | GotQuestions.org Repentance: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Repentance by the Operation of the Holy Spirit Repentance by the Preaching of Haggai Repentance by the Preaching of Oded Repentance in Asking for a King Repentance in the Time of Asa, by the Preaching of Azariah Repentance of Their Idolatry, when Afflicted by the Philistines Repentance of Worshiping the Golden Calf Repentance: Achan, Because of his Theft Repentance: After Hearing the Law Expounded by Ezra Repentance: Ahab, when Reproved by Elijah for Ahab's Idolatry Repentance: At the Dedication of the Second Temple Repentance: Balaam, of his Spiritual Blindness Repentance: Because of Their Idolatrous Marriages Repentance: Because of Their Oppressive Usury Repentance: Called Repentance to Life Repentance: Called Repentance to Salvation Repentance: Christ Came to Call Sinners To Repentance: Christ Exalted to Give Repentance: Commanded by Christ Repentance: Commanded to all by God Repentance: Condition of God's Favor Repentance: Conviction of Sin Necessary To Repentance: Danger of Neglecting Repentance: David, at the Rebuke of Nathan, for his Sins of Adultery and Murder Repentance: Denied to Apostates Repentance: Hezekiah, at the Time of his Sickness Repentance: Illustrated: The Prodigal Son Repentance: Illustrated: The Repentant Son Repentance: Jonah, After his Punishment Repentance: Joseph's Brothers, of Their Maltreatment of Joseph Repentance: Josiah, when he Heard the Law of God Which had been Discovered in the Temple by Hilkiah Repentance: Manasseh, when he Was Carried Away Captive to Babylon by the King of Assyria Repentance: Ministers should Rejoice Over Their People on Their Repentance: Necessary to the Pardon of Sin Repentance: Neglect of, Followed by Swift Judgment Repentance: Not to be Repented of Repentance: Peter, Because of his Denial of Jesus Repentance: Pharaoh, of his Hardness of Heart Repentance: Preached by Christ Repentance: Preached by John the Baptist Repentance: Preached by the Apostles Repentance: Preached in the Name of Christ Repentance: Rehoboam, when his Kingdom Was Invaded, and Jerusalem Was Besieged Repentance: Repentance of Their Complaining Because of Lack of Bread and Water Repentance: Saul, at the Rebuke of Samuel for not Destroying the Amalekites Repentance: should be Accompanied by Confession Repentance: should be Accompanied by Conversion Repentance: should be Accompanied by Faith Repentance: should be Accompanied by Greater Zeal in the Path of Duty Repentance: should be Accompanied by Humility Repentance: should be Accompanied by Prayer Repentance: should be Accompanied by Self-Abhorrence Repentance: should be Accompanied by Shame and Confusion Repentance: should be Accompanied by Turning from Idolatry Repentance: should be Accompanied by Turning from Sin Repentance: should be Evidenced by Fruits Repentance: The Burden of the Preaching of Jesus Repentance: The Burden of the Preaching of John the Baptist Repentance: The Disobedient Son Repentance: The Ephesians, by the Preaching of Paul Repentance: The Jews, by the Preaching of John the Baptist Repentance: The Ninevites, by the Preaching of Jonah Repentance: The Present Time the Season For Repentance: The Wicked: Averse To Repentance: The Wicked: Condemned for Neglecting Repentance: The Wicked: Neglect the Time Given For Repentance: The Wicked: Not Led to by the Judgments of God Repentance: The Wicked: Not Led To, by Miraculous Interference Repentance: The Woman Who Anointed Jesus With Oil Repentance: There is Joy in Heaven Over One Sinner Brought To Repentance: True: Thief on the Cross Repentance: Unavailing: To Esau Repentance: Unavailing: To Israel Repentance: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Repentance: Under the Influence of Hezekiah Repentance: we should be Led To, by Godly Sorrow Works Repentance: we should be Led To, by The Chastisements of God Repentance: we should be Led To, by The Goodness of God Repentance: we should be Led To, by The Patience of God Repentance: when Rebuked by an Angel for not Expelling the Canaanites Repentance: when Reproved by the Prophet Micah Related Terms Long-suffering (23 Occurrences) |
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