EGW Writings2 Kings 20

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 11 (1896)

Ms 54, 1896

11LtMs, Ms 54, 1896, par. 6

But to many there comes a call which they cannot so easily dismiss. Sickness and death enter their chamber, and then they realize that they have only studied their Bibles in a casual manner, that they have compelled themselves to read it as a disagreeable task. When they stand face to face with the dread messenger of death, who says, “I have come for thee; set thy house in order, for thou shalt die and not live” [2 Kings 20:1], what satisfaction do they derive from all the years spent in the training and education, while they have neglected the one thing needful, a preparation for the future immortal life?

Conflict and Courage

Divine Healing, August 22

CC 240.1

I beseech thee, O Lord, remember now how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore. 2 Kings 20:3.

CC 240.2

In the midst of his prosperous reign King Hezekiah was suddenly stricken with a fatal malady. “Sick unto death,” his case was beyond the power of man to help. And the last vestige of hope seemed removed when the prophet Isaiah appeared before him with the message, “Thus saith the Lord, Set thine house in order: for thou shalt die, and not live.”

CC 240.3

The outlook seemed utterly dark; yet the king could still pray to the One who had hitherto been his “refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1). And so “he turned his face to the wall, and prayed unto the Lord.” ...

CC 240.4

He whose “compassions fail not,” heard the prayer of His servant. “It came to pass, afore Isaiah was gone out into the middle court, that the word of the Lord came to him, saying, Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the captain of my people, Thus saith the Lord, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee....” Gladly the prophet returned with the words of assurance and hope. Directing that a lump of figs be laid upon the diseased part, Isaiah delivered to the king the message of God’s mercy and protecting care.32Ibid., 340-342.

CC 240.5

Those who seek healing by prayer should not neglect to make use of the remedial agencies within their reach. It is not a denial of faith to use such remedies as God has provided to alleviate pain and to aid nature in her work of restoration.... God has put it in our power to obtain a knowledge of the laws of life. This knowledge has been placed within our reach for use. We should employ every facility for the restoration of health, taking every advantage possible, working in harmony with natural laws. When we have prayed for the recovery of the sick, we can work with all the more energy, thanking God that we have the privilege of co-operating with Him, and asking His blessing on the means which He Himself has provided.33The Ministry of Healing, 231, 232.

Conflict and Courage

What Do They See? August 23

CC 241.1

Then said he, What have they seen in thine house? And Hezekiah answered, All that is in mine house have they seen: there is nothing among my treasures that I have not shewed them. Isaiah 39:4.

CC 241.2

The visit of the ambassadors to Hezekiah was a test of his gratitude and devotion.... Had Hezekiah improved the opportunity given him to bear witness to the power, the goodness, the compassion, of the God of Israel, the report of the ambassadors would have been as light piercing darkness. But he magnified himself above the Lord of hosts. He “rendered not again according to the benefit done unto him; for his heart was lifted up.” ...

CC 241.3

The story of Hezekiah’s failure to prove true to his trust ... is fraught with an important lesson for all. Far more than we do, we need to speak of the precious chapters in our experience, of the mercy and loving-kindness of God, of the matchless depths of the Saviour’s love. When mind and heart are filled with the love of God, it will not be difficult to impart that which enters into the spiritual life. Great thoughts, noble aspirations, clear perceptions of truth, unselfish purposes, yearnings for piety and holiness, will find expression in words that reveal the character of the heart treasure.

CC 241.4

Those with whom we associate day by day need our help, our guidance. They may be in such a condition of mind that a word spoken in season will be as a nail in a sure place. Tomorrow some of these souls may be where we can never reach them again. What is our influence over these fellow travelers? 34Prophets and Kings, 346-348.

CC 241.5

What have your friends and acquaintances seen in your house? Are you, instead of revealing the treasures of the grace of Christ, displaying those things that will perish with the using? Or do you, to those with whom you are brought in contact, communicate some new thought of Christ’s character and work? ... O that those for whom God has done marvelous things would show forth His praises, and tell of His mighty works. But how often those for whom God works are like Hezekiah—forgetful of the Giver of all their blessings.35The Signs of the Times, October 1, 1902.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 14 (1899)

Ms 199, 1899

14LtMs, Ms 199, 1899, par. 3

That which grieves me to the heart [is that] the testimonies of the Spirit of the Lord have been misinterpreted and misapplied to sustain the work that God never meant it should strengthen. This is the work of the wily foe, to turn away means from the cause of God where it should go, to sustain the work where God’s servants were trying to make headway under pressure for that very means. The Lord’s money should have been entrusted with those whom God has led in America and whom God has guided to establish the work in California. Never has God directed such a work for Seventh-day Adventists to do as has been done to erect memorials of Dr. Kellogg’s ample means. This presentation was similar to that of Hezekiah, after God had raised him up from sickness and added fifteen years to his life. [See] 2 Kings 20; Isaiah 39.

From Splendor to Shadow

Chapter 29—Visitors From Babylon See the Wrong Things

SS 180.2

The outlook seemed dark, yet the king could still pray. So Hezekiah “turned his face to the wall, and prayed unto the Lord, saying, I beseech Thee, O Lord, remember now how I have walked before Thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in Thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore.” 2 Kings 20:2, 3.

SS 181.1

“Afore Isaiah was gone out into the middle court, ... the word of the Lord came to him, saying, Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the captain of My people, Thus saith the Lord, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee: on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of the Lord. And I will add unto thy days fifteen years; and I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for Mine own sake, and for My servant David’s sake.” 2 Kings 20:4-6. Directing that a lump of figs be laid on the diseased part, Isaiah delivered the message of mercy.

Prophets and Kings

Chapter 29—The Ambassadors From Babylon

PK 340.2

The outlook seemed utterly dark; yet the king could still pray to the One who had hitherto been his “refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1. And so “he turned his face to the wall, and prayed unto the Lord, saying, I beseech Thee, O Lord, remember now how I have walked before Thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in Thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore.” 2 Kings 20:2, 3.

PK 341.3

He whose “compassions fail not,” heard the prayer of His servant. Lamentations 3:22. “It came to pass, afore Isaiah was gone out into the middle court, that the word of the Lord came to him, saying, Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the captain of My people, Thus saith the Lord, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee: on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of the Lord. And I will add unto thy days fifteen years; and I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for Mine own sake, and for My servant David’s sake.” 2 Kings 20:4-6.

PK 342.4

Only by the direct interposition of God could the shadow on the sundial be made to turn back ten degrees; and this was to be the sign to Hezekiah that the Lord had heard his prayer. Accordingly, “the prophet cried unto the Lord: and He brought the shadow ten degrees backward, by which it had gone down in the dial of Ahaz.” Verses 8-11.

The Review and Herald

May 6, 1915

RH May 6, 1915, par. 2

The outlook seemed utterly dark; yet the king could still pray to the One who had hitherto been his “refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1. And so “he turned his face to the wall, and prayed unto the Lord, saying, I beseech thee, O Lord, remember now how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore.” 2 Kings 20:2, 3.

RH May 6, 1915, par. 4

He whose “compassions fail not” (Lamentations 3:22) heard the prayer of his servant. “It came to pass, afore Isaiah was gone out into the middle court, that the word of the Lord came to him, saying, Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the captain of my people, Thus saith the Lord, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee: on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of the Lord. And I will add unto thy days fifteen years; and I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for mine own sake, and for my servant David’s sake.” 2 Kings 20:4-6.

RH May 6, 1915, par. 8

Only by the direct interposition of God could the shadow on the sundial be made to turn back ten degrees; and this was to be the sign to Hezekiah that the Lord had heard his prayer. Accordingly, “the prophet cried unto the Lord: and he brought the shadow ten degrees backward, by which it had gone down in the dial of Ahaz.” 2 Kings 20:8-11.

Prayer

Hezekiah

Pr 144.3

He whose “compassions fail not” (Lamentations 3:22) heard the prayer of His servant. “It came to pass, afore Isaiah was gone out into the middle court, that the word of the Lord came to him, saying, Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the captain of my people, Thus saith the Lord, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee: on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of the Lord. And I will add unto thy days fifteen years; and I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for mine own sake, and for my servant David’s sake.” 2 Kings 20:4-6.—(The Review and Herald, May 6, 1915.)

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 21 (1906)

Ms 152, 1906

21LtMs, Ms 152, 1906, par. 3

The want of that fervency of expression in decided action makes the works tame and unsuccessful in influence. Christ sends messages of warning which, if received, will awaken a sincerity and decided expression in fervency of love to God. Christ is too much dishonored by a tame (neither cold nor hot) position of His people, and the faithful witness of warning is given to arouse them from their slumbering inaction, which is sinful, because souls are perishing in their sins. The Lord calls them to awaken from sinful inaction. He sends messages of mercy, of reproof, and the penitence and confession from sincere hearts will be rewarded with the impression and assurance, “I have heard thy prayers. I have seen thy tears. I will give you peace and pardon.” [See 2 Kings 20:5.]

The Ellen G. White Letters and Manuscripts: Volume 1

Ms 1, 1853

I saw that the weakness of [the] Jackson Band was known all through Jackson; also, in other places, many had been weakened and burdened by Brother Case spreading or introducing the trials of [the] Jackson Band to almost every place he went. This, I saw, was all wrong and God was displeased with such a course. I then saw that we should never intimate our trials in any way to the wicked. I saw that Satan had laughed as he saw those who professed to have wisdom from God, and believing they were having the last message of mercy to the world, should make the wicked acquainted with their troubles and trials, and let them in to see the weakness of the Band. I was pointed back to the time when Hezekiah led the enemies into the house of God, and shewed them the sacred, secret things there, the vessels of gold &c., of the temple, which was a heinous sin in the sight of God, and He pronounced a heavy curse upon them.25

Cf. 2 Kings 20:12-18.

From the Heart

Honor the Giver of Gifts, December 18

FH 364.1

What have they seen in your house? 2 Kings 20:15.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 16 (1901)

Lt 47, 1901

16LtMs, Lt 47, 1901, par. 3

At the half-past-five meeting this morning I read some most precious matter to the people. At half past eleven I read and talked to them again. Last night a subject was presented to me that was presented to me years ago: “What saw he in thy house?” [2 Kings 20:15.] I spoke in regard to the many ways in which means could be used to do good. But money is not used as it should be. Great mistakes have been made in the church. Some of those professing the faith have corrupted their souls by deception and have kept back part of the price. Many today are keeping back that which the Lord has entrusted to them as His servants for the carrying forward of His work intelligently and extensively. Year after year thousands pass into the grave unwarned and unsaved while the talent of means is hid in a napkin, buried in worldly enterprises. The guilt of having the Lord’s money <and misapplying it> passes all computation. This was the instruction given me last night.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 16 (1901)

Lt 48, 1901

16LtMs, Lt 48, 1901, par. 4

The matter of reproducing human faces should have a limit, and recently the reproof has come from the Lord, “What saw he in thy house?” [2 Kings 20:15.] This question may well be asked. It is unnecessary to have so many photographs. The money expended in producing them is misappropriated, be it little or much. This reproduction of human faces is a species of idolatry. It consumes money that should be used to advance the cause and work of God.