Imagine you’ve just been told you’re going to live another fifteen years when you thought you were going to die? I’ve never faced an impending death sentence like King Hezekiah was, but I have had plenty of friends and family members receive news from a doctor that their life was coming to an end sooner than later. I can’t even begin to imagine the emotions one feels in that moment hearing those words. Then moments later to hear you’ve got more time!
“Set your affairs in order, for you are going to die. You will not recover from this illness.” When Hezekiah heard these words from the Lord, he was distraught! Since the message was from God, it is surely true. We see this same historical passage in 2 Kings 20, too. Yet, Hezekiah wasn’t ready to die. He pled with God. “Remember, O Lord, how I have always been faithful to you and have served you single-mindedly, always doing what pleases you.” Isaiah immediately got word from God, before he was even out of the middle courtyard, to go back and tell the king he wouldn’t die after all but live another fifteen years.
Now that was good news to share, wasn’t it? I’m sure Isaiah had been saddened to have to tell the king he was going to die. Isaiah was probably already trying to process what that would mean for Judah. So this new message would give him a lilt in his step as he hurried back to the king’s side with this life saving news.
The passages in 2 Kings and Isaiah, as they recall this scene, are a bit different. It would seem to me that verses 21 and 22 would make more sense if they came before verse 7. In 2 Kings, the Lord’s message is that the king should get out of bed in 3 days and go to the temple. That would help us to understand why Hezekiah is asking, “What sign will prove that I will go to the Temple of the Lord?”
What is most striking about this passage to me is the King’s poem of praise in response to God’s merciful deliverance from near death. Such a beautiful tribute and acknowledgement of the miracle God bestowed on him. He laments as he voices the emotions he felt at the thought of leaving this world too soon. I can identify with his words about friends and family. “Never again will I see my friends or be with those who live in this world.” Hezekiah didn’t know about the future promise to live with God forever.
And then he said this. “Lord, your discipline is good, for it leads to life and health. You restore my health and allow me to live!” It seems he sees the affliction of his sickness was brought on by God. It is just as likely that it was due to the stress the king was under when the Assyrians were knocking on the door. Our immunities take a hit when our bodies are run down from the struggle of stress and worry. Whatever the cause, Hezekiah has a new lease on life. He has been given more time to enjoy his life on earth.
We don’t know how many days we have to live on this planet like Hezekiah did, but it shouldn’t matter. We should treat each day as the precious gift it is. When you think of how you spend your time, do you sometimes feel like you are on a hamster wheel or simply going to through the motions of a rinse and repeat kind of life? I felt like that for many years without even realizing it.
God wants us to enjoy our lives. He also wants us to enjoy being in relationship with him. How are you doing on the “enjoyment scale” of your life? Are you feeling overwhelmed or underwhelmed? In what ways are you nurturing your relationship with God? Take some time today to think through these questions and jot down some ideas for little things you could do to increase your effectiveness. I love helping people think through these big questions, just like my life coach helped me years ago. Let me know if you need a helping hand!
Let’s pray … Lord, I thank you that I am healthy and strong. I am overflowing with gratefulness for each day you give me. I want to be the best me I can be and help others do the same. Help me to draw closer to you and deepen the relationship we have. I don’t want to wait to have a wake-up call like Hezekiah to realize all the beauty in my life. I trust you will show me my path. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
