KingdomView, Vol. IV, Issue 22 Scripture: Isaiah 38:1-11
Series: The Spirit of the Ministry and Prayer (Part 3 of 9)
Many people often ask, “Why do bad things happen to good people?” The most simple answer that I have is that we live in a fallen world. Moreover, we are not exempt from the trials of life just because we are believers. In fact, the apostle Peter addressed a similar issue to saints wrestling with trails in First Peter. He said, “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of Glory and of God rests upon you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name” (1 Peter 4:12-16 ESV). Today, we will look at Hezekiah and two major trials that he faced. We will look specifically at how he dealt with them through prayer when he faced invasion and terminal illness.
The Problem. Hezekiah confronts two major problems: invasion and terminal illness. In Chapter 36, Sennacherib, king of Assyria, has sent an invasion force to Jerusalem. His emissary hurls insults at Hezekiah and blasphemes his God, Jehovah (Isaiah 36:4- 10). Hezekiah receives more bad news in Chapter 38 when Isaiah the prophet tells him to get his house in order because he is terminally ill and this news is a word from the Lord (Isaiah 38:1). These passages are instructive. Some problems in life that we face are self-induced; however, others are not. In this case, the latter is true. The Bible describes Hezekiah as a great king and he is responsible for leading one of the greatest revivals in Judah’s history (2 Chronicles 29-31). Thus, even God’s most faithful saints are not exempt from life’s challenges or trouble. Isaiah the prophet did not say that Hezekiah had done anything wrong or committed any grievous sin, but would have to face two daunting challenges. So what did Hezekiah do? He prayed!
The Prayer. Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and presented his case and cause in prayer in both instances (Isaiah 37:1, 14-20; 38:2). Prayer is a primary principled weapon for the believer. Our ancestors new the power of prayer, for they depended upon it for life. For them, prayer was indispensible. Moreover, they learned to pray through, until God moved. I am afraid that the art of praying through is almost a lost art in Christendom and to a certain extent even the willingness to pray corporately (intercessory prayer) on a consistent basis by some seems almost nonexistent. This area of worship must have a stronger emphasis and resurgence by those who comprise the church—in others words, from the pulpit to the door. Nonetheless, God would hear Hezekiah’s prayer in both cases and He responded. Regarding Hezekiah’s terminal illness, his prayer included his faithful service to the Lord. The Expositor’s Bible Commentary notes, “ Second Kings 18:5-6 not only confirms Hezekiah’s statements about himself (v.3) but shows that his manner of life was grounded in faith in God. It is to be viewed more as pleading implicitly promises like Deuteronomy 7:12-15 than as reliance on his own merits.” Therefore, God would answer his prayer.
The Promise. According to 2 Kings 20:3, 4, before Isaiah the prophet could leave the premises, God gives him a word in response to Hezekiah’s prayer. Isaiah returns and informs Hezekiah that God heard his prayer and promised to extend his life by fifteen years and deliver the city from its enemy (2 Kings 20:6; Isaiah 38:5). Again, this passage is instructive. It lets us know that God hears and answers prayer. Some answers are immediate as in this case and some are delayed like Daniel’s (Daniel 10:10-13). Furthermore, God is a promise keeper too. God promised David that he would always have a descendant upon his throne (2 Samuel 7). This promise is called the Davidic Covenant (2 Samuel 23:5). At this point, Hezekiah was without an heir and had he died God’s promise to David would have been broken. For Hezekiah’s dynasty was the line of the MessiahJesus Christ (Isaiah 37:30-32). What has God promised you? If He has made you a promise, then He will surely bring it to pass. Finally, God would grant Hezekiah a sign to confirm His promise of a prolonged life.
The Proof. God promises Hezekiah an extraordinary sign. In 2 Kings 20:9, the prophet asked Hezekiah which way should the Lord move the shadow, forward or back ten steps. Hezekiah requested that God move the shadow backwards ten steps down the stairway. Attempts to understand and explain this miracle is problematic for people of science and those that study chronology—even theologians. Why, because the earth tilts on an imaginary axis at about 23.4o . It takes the earth roughly 24 hour to make a complete rotation on this axis, thus our 24-hour day. In addition, the earth rotates eastward on its axis or counter clockwise. For the shadow to back up ten steps, the earth would have had to reverse its rotation in which this solution is highly improbable, for this would create all sorts of chaotic and destructive conditions on the earth. Another possibility is refraction. Keil and Delitzsch in their Commentary on the Old Testament write:
But how was this effected? Certainly not by giving an opposite direction to the revolution of the earth upon its axis, which would have been followed by the most terrible convulsions over the entire globe; and in all probability not even by an apparently retrograde motion of the sun (in which case the miracle would be optical rather than cosmical); but as the intention was to give a sign that should serve as a pledge, and therefore had no need whatever to be supernatural (p. 139), it may have been simply through a phenomenon of refraction, since all that was required was that the shadow which was down at the bottom in the afternoon should be carried upwards by a sudden and unexpected refraction.
However God accomplished this feat, it was a miracle. Since God created the initial material universe Ex Nihilo (Latin “Meaning out of nothing”), He can do anything within the parameters of His self-defined nature (e.g., God cannot sin, it is against His nature). What does all this mean for us? Just as God reversed the shadows movement, He can turn desperate and impossible situations around in our lives. Failing marriages, wayward children, financial challenges, etc., God can turn it around—just pray and trust Him!
Reflection
1. God specializes in turning around desperate situations.
2. Prayer is one of several keys given to the believer that unlock the hellish gates that seek to imprison God’s people.
3. Prayer can move God to intervene in life’s tough situations; it also demonstrates our dependence upon Him. Furthermore, it is better to develop a consistent life of prayer, then to approach God only when there is a need. He knows what our needs are before we pray, He enjoys the time that we spend with Him in fellowship through prayer.
4. Prayer must be an integral part of every believer’s spiritual growth and development. How often are you engaged in fellowship with God through prayer?
Go Deeper
Additional Reading:
1. Andrew Murray, The Believers Prayer Life.
2. Charles G. Finney’s, Answers to Prayer.
3. Clarion Classics, The Kneeling Christian.
