The miracle of the shadow being put back on the dial is a significant event in the ministry of the prophet Isaiah, demonstrating God's sovereign power over time and nature. This miraculous sign is recorded in the context of King Hezekiah's illness and subsequent recovery, as detailed in the book of Isaiah and 2 Kings.

Context and Background

King Hezekiah of Judah, known for his faithfulness and reforms to restore the worship of Yahweh, fell gravely ill. The prophet Isaiah, son of Amoz, was sent by God to deliver a message to Hezekiah, initially declaring that he should set his house in order, for he would not recover (Isaiah 38:1). In response, Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed earnestly, reminding God of his faithfulness and wholehearted devotion (Isaiah 38:2-3).

Moved by Hezekiah's prayer and tears, God instructed Isaiah to return to the king with a new message: Hezekiah would be healed, and fifteen years would be added to his life. Furthermore, God promised to deliver Hezekiah and the city of Jerusalem from the Assyrian threat (Isaiah 38:4-6).

The Miracle of the Shadow

As a sign of His promise, God performed a miraculous event involving the shadow on the sundial of Ahaz. Hezekiah had asked for a sign to confirm that the Lord would indeed heal him. Isaiah offered a choice: should the shadow go forward ten steps or back ten steps? Hezekiah chose the latter, reasoning that it was a greater miracle for the shadow to retreat (2 Kings 20:8-10).

Isaiah called upon the Lord, and God caused the shadow to move backward ten steps on the stairway of Ahaz (2 Kings 20:11). This supernatural manipulation of time and the natural order served as a powerful confirmation of God's promise and a testament to His control over the universe.

Theological Significance

This miracle underscores several key theological themes. Firstly, it highlights God's responsiveness to sincere prayer and repentance. Hezekiah's heartfelt plea and God's merciful response illustrate the intimate relationship between the Creator and His faithful servants.

Secondly, the miracle demonstrates God's absolute authority over creation. By altering the natural progression of time, God affirmed His omnipotence and the reliability of His word. This event served to strengthen Hezekiah's faith and the faith of the people of Judah, reinforcing the belief that God is actively involved in the affairs of His people.

Lastly, the miracle of the shadow on the dial serves as a foreshadowing of the ultimate victory over time and death achieved through Jesus Christ. Just as God extended Hezekiah's life, He offers eternal life to all who trust in Him through the redemptive work of His Son.

In summary, the miracle of the shadow being put back on the dial is a profound testament to God's power, faithfulness, and willingness to intervene in the lives of those who earnestly seek Him. It remains a powerful reminder of the divine authority that governs all creation and the personal relationship God desires with His people.2 Kings 20:11
And Isaiah the prophet cried to the LORD: and he brought the shadow ten degrees backward, by which it had gone down in the dial of Ahaz.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Dialogue i. --The Immutable.
... wealth, they that live in poverty, servants and masters ... which was through the prophets
as through Samuel, he ... But, to omit the miracles wrought upon earth, let ...
/.../theodoret/the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/dialogue i the immutable.htm

Answer to Eunomius' Second Book .
... of the Son of God not by the miracles alone which ... and surveying all things, and seeing
through the things ... of his promise is it, to show that God existed before ...
/.../gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/answer to eunomius second book.htm

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