Fifteen Years
Introduction. Although the NT does not mention Hezekiah, his life teaches important lessons about the value of faithful service. He is one of the “great cloud of witnesses” (Heb 12:1). He began his reign as King over Judah when he was 25. He “trusted in the LORD God of Israel, so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor who were before him. He did what was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father David had done, he held fast to the LORD,” and “he did not depart from following Him, but kept His commandments.” (2Kings 18:1-7).
His faith tested. David was “a man after God’s own heart,” and since Hezekiah did “according to all that his father David had done, so was he. Because of this faithful devotion, “the LORD was with him” and “he prospered wherever he went.” But he lived in troubled times and his faith was tested. “In the fourth year” of his reign at 29, the “king of Assyria came up against Samaria” “and at the end of three years they took it.” (2Kings 18:9-10). Having conquered Israel’s ten tribes, it was likely only a matter of time before Judah was threatened with a similar fate.
In his 14th year at 39 years old (18:13), Assyria confronted the inhabitants of Jerusalem with arrogance and blasphemy. The Assyrian king boasted he would destroy Jerusalem and take the people captive. Hezekiah was deeply grieved, but continued to trust in Jehovah. Wearing sackcloth in the house of the Lord, he pleaded with Isaiah to pray. “Then Isaiah the son of Amoz sent to Hezekiah, saying, Thus says the LORD God of Israel: Because you have prayed to Me against Sennacherib king of Assyria, I have heard” (2Kings 19:20).
This was a powerful example of God “able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think” (Eph. 3:20)! “On a certain night, an angel cut down every mighty man of valor, leader, and captain ... and killed ... one hundred and eighty-five thousand and when people arose early in the morning, there were the corpses–all dead” (2Kings 19:35; 2Chr. 32:21). They went to bed healthy and in the morning 185,000 were dead!
This amazing deliverance brought great honor to Jehovah and also to Hezekiah: “And many brought gifts to the LORD at Jerusalem, and presents to Hezekiah king of Judah, so that he was exalted in the sight of all nations thereafter” (2Chr. 32:23). Hezekiah’s faith and trust in the Lord has now lifted him to the highest point in his life. His faithful service to God brought great success, wealth, honor, and peace.
His illness. But at this moment of glory, he became sick and God sent Isaiah with news: “Thus says the LORD: Set your house in order, for you shall die, and not live” (2Kings 20:1). Hezekiah was crushed. He is barely 40 years old. His faith and trust during hard times had brought a great victory and he wanted to enjoy it. “Remember now, O LORD, I pray, how I have walked before You in truth and with a loyal heart, and have done what was good in Your sight. And Hezekiah wept bitterly” (2Kings 20:3).
Then we witness the power of prayer and the mercy of God. God heard: “Before Isaiah had gone out into the middle court... the word of the LORD came... I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; surely I will heal you... And I will add to your days fifteen years” (2Kings 20:4-6). This prayer changed God’s mind! Before he prayed: “set your house in order for you will die” while after the prayer fifteen years were added. Those fifteen years reveal the power of faith and devoted service to God. This is such a wonderful story of faith and the rewards of serving God!
The Fifteen Years. The chronicle of his life does not end with the gift of fifteen years. It also reveals how Hezekiah used them. Did this gift bring even greater devotion and service? The answer offers amazing insight into God’s providence and love. It also reveals our own, often short-sighted view of life. Hezekiah clearly believed it would be better for him to live than die. Yet if that were true, why did God send Isaiah to reveal he would die? From subsequent events, it was not in Hezekiah’s best interest to live on.
“Hezekiah rendered not again according to the benefit done unto him; for his heart was lifted up: therefore there was wrath upon him, and upon Judah and Jerusalem” (2Chr. 32:24-25). Those fifteen years became a curse. If Hezekiah had died when God said “set your house in order” he would have died in the midst of victory after a faithful and honorable life. There would be no dark stain of sin be ashamed of. He would have avoided pride and apostasy.
So what seemed unfair to him was an act of mercy, love, and a way of escape. This is why we should pray “thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven” and no matter what the outcome trust that God knows best and his will is always better than ours. When we trust in the Lord with all our heart and lean not on our own understanding, we set aside our views of what is best and accept God’s. With his infinite love and immeasurable wisdom, he knows far more of what is truly best for us. Those 15 years God wanted to deny Hezekiah was a gift. After they were squandered, how could Hezekiah see them as a blessing? His was forced to repent for abusing them. “Notwithstanding Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart, both he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the wrath of Jehovah came not upon them in the days of Hezekiah. (2Chr. 32:26)
Conclusion. What can we learn? When we are tempted to think God is not acting fairly, we need to remember Hezekiah’s fifteen years. When we trust God to work his will on the earth, “all things work together for good.” This is another good reason why we should always preface our plans with “if the Lord will” (Jas 4:15). Only when it is God’s will can we be certain it is in our best interests. We must not seek to force our will on God. For as Hezekiah found, it can lead to disastrous consequences.
His faith tested. David was “a man after God’s own heart,” and since Hezekiah did “according to all that his father David had done, so was he. Because of this faithful devotion, “the LORD was with him” and “he prospered wherever he went.” But he lived in troubled times and his faith was tested. “In the fourth year” of his reign at 29, the “king of Assyria came up against Samaria” “and at the end of three years they took it.” (2Kings 18:9-10). Having conquered Israel’s ten tribes, it was likely only a matter of time before Judah was threatened with a similar fate.
In his 14th year at 39 years old (18:13), Assyria confronted the inhabitants of Jerusalem with arrogance and blasphemy. The Assyrian king boasted he would destroy Jerusalem and take the people captive. Hezekiah was deeply grieved, but continued to trust in Jehovah. Wearing sackcloth in the house of the Lord, he pleaded with Isaiah to pray. “Then Isaiah the son of Amoz sent to Hezekiah, saying, Thus says the LORD God of Israel: Because you have prayed to Me against Sennacherib king of Assyria, I have heard” (2Kings 19:20).
This was a powerful example of God “able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think” (Eph. 3:20)! “On a certain night, an angel cut down every mighty man of valor, leader, and captain ... and killed ... one hundred and eighty-five thousand and when people arose early in the morning, there were the corpses–all dead” (2Kings 19:35; 2Chr. 32:21). They went to bed healthy and in the morning 185,000 were dead!
This amazing deliverance brought great honor to Jehovah and also to Hezekiah: “And many brought gifts to the LORD at Jerusalem, and presents to Hezekiah king of Judah, so that he was exalted in the sight of all nations thereafter” (2Chr. 32:23). Hezekiah’s faith and trust in the Lord has now lifted him to the highest point in his life. His faithful service to God brought great success, wealth, honor, and peace.
His illness. But at this moment of glory, he became sick and God sent Isaiah with news: “Thus says the LORD: Set your house in order, for you shall die, and not live” (2Kings 20:1). Hezekiah was crushed. He is barely 40 years old. His faith and trust during hard times had brought a great victory and he wanted to enjoy it. “Remember now, O LORD, I pray, how I have walked before You in truth and with a loyal heart, and have done what was good in Your sight. And Hezekiah wept bitterly” (2Kings 20:3).
Then we witness the power of prayer and the mercy of God. God heard: “Before Isaiah had gone out into the middle court... the word of the LORD came... I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; surely I will heal you... And I will add to your days fifteen years” (2Kings 20:4-6). This prayer changed God’s mind! Before he prayed: “set your house in order for you will die” while after the prayer fifteen years were added. Those fifteen years reveal the power of faith and devoted service to God. This is such a wonderful story of faith and the rewards of serving God!
The Fifteen Years. The chronicle of his life does not end with the gift of fifteen years. It also reveals how Hezekiah used them. Did this gift bring even greater devotion and service? The answer offers amazing insight into God’s providence and love. It also reveals our own, often short-sighted view of life. Hezekiah clearly believed it would be better for him to live than die. Yet if that were true, why did God send Isaiah to reveal he would die? From subsequent events, it was not in Hezekiah’s best interest to live on.
“Hezekiah rendered not again according to the benefit done unto him; for his heart was lifted up: therefore there was wrath upon him, and upon Judah and Jerusalem” (2Chr. 32:24-25). Those fifteen years became a curse. If Hezekiah had died when God said “set your house in order” he would have died in the midst of victory after a faithful and honorable life. There would be no dark stain of sin be ashamed of. He would have avoided pride and apostasy.
So what seemed unfair to him was an act of mercy, love, and a way of escape. This is why we should pray “thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven” and no matter what the outcome trust that God knows best and his will is always better than ours. When we trust in the Lord with all our heart and lean not on our own understanding, we set aside our views of what is best and accept God’s. With his infinite love and immeasurable wisdom, he knows far more of what is truly best for us. Those 15 years God wanted to deny Hezekiah was a gift. After they were squandered, how could Hezekiah see them as a blessing? His was forced to repent for abusing them. “Notwithstanding Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart, both he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the wrath of Jehovah came not upon them in the days of Hezekiah. (2Chr. 32:26)
Conclusion. What can we learn? When we are tempted to think God is not acting fairly, we need to remember Hezekiah’s fifteen years. When we trust God to work his will on the earth, “all things work together for good.” This is another good reason why we should always preface our plans with “if the Lord will” (Jas 4:15). Only when it is God’s will can we be certain it is in our best interests. We must not seek to force our will on God. For as Hezekiah found, it can lead to disastrous consequences.