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Praying through the Bible #122 – 2 Kings 20:1-10 – A Prayer for Recovery from Personal Illness
Everyone knows someone with cancer. Hearing the word “cancer” makes us fear the worst. Survival rates vary from the almost hopeless (pancreatic, 6%) to the almost guaranteed (prostate, 99%). Very possibly, many died undiagnosed in darker times, simply wasting away. Modern medicine is making amazing progress. Cancer no longer is an automatic death sentence. Hezekiah is “sick unto death” (2 Kings 20.1 KJV). What he has is unrevealed, except it involves “infected skin” (20.7).
Rather bluntly, Isaiah says, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Put your affairs in order, for you are about to die; you will not recover’” (20.1). Not a nice bedside manner. Understandably and faithfully, “Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD, ‘Please LORD, remember how I have walked before You faithfully and wholeheartedly and have done what pleases You’ (20.2-3). Hezekiah weeps bitterly. Isaiah has not even left the inner courtyard when Yahweh stops him – “Go back and tell Hezekiah, the leader of My people, ‘This is what the LORD God of your ancestor David says: I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Look, I will heal you. On the third day from now you will go up to the LORD’s temple. I will add 15 years to your life (20.5-6). Take comfort – God listens! If anyone says we can’t change God’s mind, remember Hezekiah did. Who are we to change God’s mind? His!
When I see a “third day” (20.5), I see Messianic implications. Jesus is a descendant of Hezekiah. On the third day God heals Jesus, and He resurrects. This might explain why God does not heal Hezekiah immediately. God is teaching about Jesus 700 plus years before Jesus comes. What a privilege to be used as a teaching tool for Jesus.
Isaiah instructs that a lump of pressed figs be put on Hezekiah’s infected skin (20.7). God often uses aids or symbols along with His miracles and commands; baptism for example. Was the fig cake necessary? Not for God, but it was for Isaiah and Hezekiah. Why? God said so. Our job is to obey; it is not to try and find a theological excuse.
As faithful as Hezekiah is, he still asks for a sign. God grants his wish and the sun’s shadow goes back 10 steps on Ahaz’s stairway (20.8-10). Admittedly, this bothers me. Why does he need a sign? Why not just take Isaiah’s word? After all, it was good enough for Hezekiah when he received the bad news; why isn’t it good enough now? Regardless, God again grants Hezekiah his wish. What a patient God we serve.
Not only does everyone know someone with cancer; everyone knows someone who had died. Thankfully many know someone who has survived. Sickness and death are results of the cursed world we live in. Thankfully we have a God who hears and heals.
Prayer Challenge: No one prays as much or as intently as when we or someone we love is terminally ill. Pray we will be as serious about our spiritual sickness.
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