Hezekiah, the son of Ahaz and the 13th king of Judah, is a prominent biblical figure whose life exemplifies how afflictions can be transformed into spiritual growth and divine favor. His reign, which is detailed in 2 Kings 18-20, 2 Chronicles 29-32, and Isaiah 36-39, is marked by significant religious reforms and a deep reliance on God, especially during times of personal and national crisis.

Hezekiah's Illness and Recovery

One of the most notable afflictions in Hezekiah's life was his severe illness, as recorded in 2 Kings 20 and Isaiah 38. The prophet Isaiah delivered a message from the Lord, instructing Hezekiah to set his house in order, for he would not recover. In response, Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed earnestly, weeping bitterly. His prayer is a profound example of humility and dependence on God: "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).

God heard Hezekiah's prayer and saw his tears, granting him an additional fifteen years of life. This divine intervention not only restored Hezekiah's health but also served as a testament to the power of sincere prayer and repentance. The Lord provided a sign to confirm His promise, causing the shadow on the sundial of Ahaz to move backward ten steps (2 Kings 20:8-11).

Spiritual and National Reforms

Hezekiah's afflictions were not limited to personal illness; he also faced the formidable threat of the Assyrian empire. Sennacherib, the king of Assyria, invaded Judah and laid siege to Jerusalem. In this time of national crisis, Hezekiah sought the Lord's guidance and strength. Hezekiah's prayer, recorded in 2 Kings 19:15-19, reflects his unwavering faith: "O LORD, the God of Israel, enthroned above the cherubim, You alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You made the heavens and the earth" (2 Kings 19:15).

God responded to Hezekiah's plea through the prophet Isaiah, assuring him that the Assyrian king would not enter Jerusalem. That night, the angel of the Lord struck down 185,000 Assyrian soldiers, leading to Sennacherib's retreat (2 Kings 19:35-36). This miraculous deliverance reinforced Hezekiah's commitment to God and inspired the people of Judah to trust in the Lord.

Lessons from Hezekiah's Afflictions

Hezekiah's experiences illustrate how afflictions can lead to spiritual renewal and divine intervention. His illness prompted a deeper reliance on God, resulting in personal healing and an extension of his life. The Assyrian threat, while a national crisis, became an opportunity for God to demonstrate His power and faithfulness to His people.

Hezekiah's life serves as a reminder that afflictions, though challenging, can be beneficial when they drive individuals to seek God with sincerity and humility. His account encourages believers to trust in God's sovereignty and to remain steadfast in faith, even in the face of overwhelming adversity.2 Chronicles 32:25,26
But Hezekiah rendered not again according to the benefit done to him; for his heart was lifted up: therefore there was wrath on him, and on Judah and Jerusalem.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

From the Close of the General Conference in 1796, to the ...
... but such were his bodily afflictions, that, through ... of their slaves, yet witnessing
the beneficial effects of ... behalf of the gospel, and made him instrumental ...
/.../chapter 3 from the close.htm

A Mystery! Saints Sorrowing and Jesus Glad!
... must bear it, because the result was so exceedingly beneficial. ... Afflictions lead
men to faith full often by ... his house, because his sons had made themselves vile ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 10 1864/a mystery saints sorrowing and.htm

Of Civil Government.
... and hurt; but to avenge the afflictions of the ... by leagues, the alliances which are
made by neighbouring ... the laws which it judges to be beneficial, still these ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 20 of civil government.htm

The General Conference of 1828
... Peter Doub, John Early, Daniel Hall, Henry Holmes, Caleb Leach, Hezekiah G. Leigh ...
is room, and pressing calls for much greater enlargement are constantly made. ...
/.../chapter 9 the general conference.htm

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