Sun Goes Back 10 Degrees, Hezekiah Recovers

Hezekiah's sickeness was about the time of Sennacherib's first invasion in Hezekiah's 14th year. In connection with the promise of Hezekiah's healing, the Lord said that He would deliver Jerusalem out of the hand of the king of Assyria and that He would add 15 years to Hezekiah's reign (ch. 20:6). This fits in with the details of Sennacherib's first campaign against Judah in Hezekiah's 14th year (see on ch. 18:13), and the fact that Hezekiah reigned 29 years (ch. 18:2). Parallel accounts of Hezekiah's illness and recovery are found in Isa. 38, 39 and in 2 Chron. 32:24—31.

When the prophet told Hezekiah he would die, Hezekiah did not conclude that it was useless to pray, as though the prophetic message had made death inevitable. If we pray, God may be able to do for us that which He could not do if we did not pray. Requests for healing, however, must be made in the spirit of submission. God alone knows whether the answering of a petition will work for the good of those concerned and redound to His glory. In praying for the sick some have made the mistake of almost demanding that the life of the sufferer be given to them. In many instances the lives of those who were thus spared did not bring glory to God. It would have been better for these souls to have passed to their rest while the hope of salvation was theirs. The extension of Hezekiah's life led to the one great mistake in the king's life (vs. 12—19). If he had added to his prayer "nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt" (Matt. 26:39), he might have died with his life's record unblemished.

Hezekiah's answer came speedily. Before Isaiah had left the precincts of the palace he was bidden to return. God always hears the man who pours out his soul in earnest prayer. The answer may not be as expected, or as immediate or direct as was the case with Hezekiah, but the Lord hears nevertheless, and works all things for good for those who love Him (Rom. 8:28).

Hezekiah desired an immediate token that the Lord would do what He had said He would (see on Joshua 7:14 Judges 6:36). In the ordinary course of events the shadow on a sundial would gradually advance with the forward motion of the sun, but for it suddenly to retrogress would be a most remarkable occurrence, and for this reason Hezekiah chose this sign. There is no benefit to be derived from speculating as to how God performs His miracles. The sign came as a direct interposition by God.