Hall of Faith: Hezekiah, Humbled Himself Before God
In the Hall of Fame, we are told that “out of my weaknesses were made strong”. Samson was made strong due to his hair and David was given strength to fight Goliath.
One of whom God gave strength out of weakness and a miraculous recovery was King Hezekiah. He was king of Judah and son of King Ahaz.
The name Hezekiah means God is my strength and God has strengthened.
As king, Hezekiah purified and repaired the Temple, purged its idols, and reformed the priesthood. He destroyed items that were objects of idolatrous worship and centralized the worship of God to the temple in Jerusalem. He also resumed the Passover rituals of worship.
2 Kings 20:1 says, “In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came to him, and said unto him, Thus saith Jehovah, Set thy house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live.”
Isaiah 38:2-3 tells part of the story in “Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall, and prayed unto Jehovah, and said, Remember now, O Jehovah, I beseech thee, 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 Chronicles 32:26 described Hezekiah’s actions as “ Notwithstanding Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart”.
2 Kings 20: 4-6 says,”And it came to pass, before Isaiah was gone out into the middle part of the city, that the word of Jehovah came to him, saying, Turn back, and say to Hezekiah the prince of my people, Thus saith Jehovah, 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 Jehovah. 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 and Isaiah 38, both say that Isaiah called for a cake of figs to be called for and
placed on King Hezekiah’s boils.
Hezekiah asked, “What is the sign that I shall go up to the house of Jehovah?”
2 Kings says that the prophet Isaiah cried to God to move the shadow back ten steps.
Upon hearing of his miraculous healing, various ambassadors came to congratulate him on his recovery.
2 Chronicles 32:37-33, describes Hezekiah as “exceeding much riches and honor…and his good deeds.”
So what can we learn from King Hezekiah?
1. He purged idols
2. He destroyed idol worship
3. He centralized the worship of God
4. He cried out to God
5. He humbled himself
6. He was healed by God
7. He was known for his good deeds
King Hezekiah was not perfect, but he loved God and humbled himself before God when his pride had gotten in the way and almost cost him his life.
Do you humble yourself before God?