The sun, as the central celestial body in our solar system, holds significant importance in biblical narratives, symbolizing God's creation and His sovereign control over the universe. One of the most remarkable miracles involving the sun is the event where the shadow on the sundial was supernaturally altered, as recorded in the Old Testament.

Biblical Account

The miracle of the shadow being put back on the dial is documented in the book of 2 Kings and the book of Isaiah. This event occurred during the reign of King Hezekiah of Judah, a king noted for his faithfulness to God and his efforts to restore proper worship in the kingdom.

In 2 Kings 20:8-11 , the narrative unfolds as follows:

"Now Hezekiah had asked Isaiah, 'What will be the sign that the LORD will heal me and that I will go up to the house of the LORD on the third day?' And Isaiah replied, 'This will be the sign to you from the LORD that He will do what He has promised: Shall the shadow go forward ten steps, or back ten steps?' 'It is easy for the shadow to lengthen ten steps,' answered Hezekiah, 'but not for it to go back ten steps.' So the prophet Isaiah called out to the LORD, and He brought the shadow back the ten steps it had descended on the stairway of Ahaz."

This miraculous event served as a divine sign to King Hezekiah, confirming God's promise to extend his life by fifteen years and to deliver Jerusalem from the Assyrian threat. The alteration of the shadow on the sundial, a natural phenomenon governed by the sun's position, demonstrated God's authority over time and nature.

Theological Significance

From a theological perspective, this miracle underscores several key themes:

1. God's Sovereignty: The ability to manipulate the natural order, such as reversing the shadow on a sundial, highlights God's supreme power over creation. It serves as a reminder that the laws of nature are subject to the will of the Creator.

2. Divine Assurance: The miracle provided Hezekiah with tangible assurance of God's promises. In a time of personal and national crisis, the sign reinforced the reliability of God's word and His commitment to His people.

3. Faith and Prayer: Hezekiah's interaction with Isaiah and his request for a sign reflect a deep reliance on God through prayer. The miracle was a response to Hezekiah's faith and his earnest seeking of God's intervention.

4. Prophetic Authority: The role of the prophet Isaiah in this narrative emphasizes the importance of prophetic ministry in conveying God's messages and performing acts that confirm divine truth.

Historical and Cultural Context

The sundial, referred to as the "stairway of Ahaz," was likely a form of timekeeping device used in ancient Judah. The specific mechanics of this sundial are not detailed in the biblical text, but it functioned by casting a shadow that moved with the sun's position. The reversal of the shadow would have been an unmistakable and extraordinary event, defying natural explanation and pointing to a supernatural cause.

Conclusion

The miracle of the shadow being put back on the dial remains a powerful testament to God's intervention in human history. It illustrates the intersection of divine power and human experience, where God's purposes are revealed through miraculous signs that transcend the ordinary workings of the natural world.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

His Name --Wonderful!
... earth." There is a wonderful story connected with every ... Manger of Bethlehem, thou
hast miracles poured into thee ... move forward, but rather, like the sun upon the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/his namewonderful.htm

Of the Sacraments.
... as if his preaching were inseparably connected with the ... place in natural
objects"sometimes to exhibit in miracles. ... of this description on the sun, the stars ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 14 of the sacraments.htm

On the Life and Poetic Genius of Edward Young.
... of all sight the greatest genius then connected with the ... it is fatiguing to look
long at the sun, or to ... broken and sententious to permit the miracles of melody ...
//christianbookshelf.org/young/youngs night thoughts/on the life and poetic.htm

Answer to Eunomius' Second Book .
... kindle flame, how water shining in the sun causes a ... the Son of God not by the miracles
alone which ... description of his controversy with us is connected with the ...
/.../gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/answer to eunomius second book.htm

How could there be light on the first day of Creation if the sun was not created until the fourth day? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean that there is nothing new under the sun? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean that the Shulammite had dark skin (Song of Solomon 1:6)? | GotQuestions.org

Sun: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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