King Hezekiah’s Prayer: Wisdom or Folly?
The prayer of Hezekiah is not ‘new’ to us. We have been acquainted with the events in 2nd Kings chapters 20–22. Hezekiah was king of Judah during the time of Isaiah, the prophet, and he did so many remarkable things for the Children of God.
He rebranded the Temple of God, instituted true worship, and was instrumental in the service of the Children of Judah to God. However, towards the end of his life, he fell ill and to the point of death.
After a while, the word of the Lord came to him through the prophet Isaiah to ‘put his house in order because he was going to die.’ That was when he prayed the popularly known ‘Prayer of Hezekiah.’
1 In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz came to him, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live.1 2 Then he turned his face to the wall, and prayed unto the LORD, saying, 3 I beseech thee, O LORD, remember now 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 4 And it came to pass, afore Isaiah was gone out into the middle court, that the word of the LORD came to him, saying,3 5 Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the captain of my people, Thus saith the LORD, 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 the LORD. 6 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. 7 And Isaiah said, Take a lump of figs. And they took and laid it on the boil, and he recovered. 2 Kings 20:1–7
The Prayer
King Hezekiah’s prayer was precise and instrumental. He invoked a spiritual principle alien to the people in his days. He engaged the Creator with so much wisdom that he turned the hand of God around. He used this tactic to turn a negative prophecy into a good divination, just as preachers and crusaders preach to believers today.
Hezekiah’s prayer is a model prayer for many believers today. It is packed with so much wisdom and maneuvering around spiritual things. In simpler terms, all he did was to remind God of how instrumental he had been in the divine and master plan of God for his people. He reminded God of the things that may have been difficult if you were not king. He tabled all his good deeds, and together, they turned the hand of the Lord around.
The Result
Following this intelligent engagement, the result of King Hezekiah’s prayer was immediate. According to the Bible, the prophet had not yet gone far from where he was sitting in the palace before an overturn of the initial prophecy was released.
In addition, the reply to his prayer came with words that conveyed the depth of provocation his prayer had caused. Hezekiah secured an additional 15 years even though the initial prophecy was that his death was very soon.
This kind of prayer is emulatable. It is so powerful that it can move the heavens and the earth and produce miraculous and unexplainable results. However, it ‘begs the question’ of whether it is wise or foolish to pray such prayers or engage in such principles. The reason is what followed in the 15 years that were added to King Hezekiah.
What Followed?
After the king was made well and was assured of an extra 15 years, he began to engage in senseless and needless activities. These include partying, flaunting wealth and might, and romancing the enemy. In the first three years of the extra 15 years, his wife Hepzibah gave birth to a son, Manasseh, who would become king after he died.
Manasseh was the biggest problem that followed Hezekiah’s prayer. He was cruel, ruthless, Idol loving, and provocative. He replaced everything holy and sacred with idols, wizardry enchantment, etc. He made the people of Judah worship all the images he introduced into the Temple of God.
For 55 years of his reign, Manasseh made them fall so deep in sin that it was exceptionally arduous to redeem them.
1 Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and reigned fifty and five years in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Hephzibah. 2 And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, after the abominations of the heathen, whom the LORD cast out before the children of Israel.
3 For he built up again the high places which Hezekiah his father had destroyed; and he reared up altars for Baal, and made a grove, as did Ahab king of Israel; and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them. 4 And he built altars in the house of the LORD, of which the LORD said, In Jerusalem will I put my name. 5 And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the LORD. 6 And he made his son pass through the fire, and observed times, and used enchantments, and dealt with familiar spirits and wizards: he wrought much wickedness in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger. 7 And he set a graven image of the grove that he had made in the house, of which the LORD said to David, and to Solomon his son, In this house, and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all tribes of Israel, will I put my name for ever: 8 Neither will I make the feet of Israel move any more out of the land which I gave their fathers; only if they will observe to do according to all that I have commanded them, and according to all the law that my servant Moses commanded them. 9 But they hearkened not: and Manasseh seduced them to do more evil than did the nations whom the LORD destroyed before the children of Israel. 2 Kings 21:3–9
He led many horrendous acts, including blood sacrifices, so much so that the streets of Jerusalem were filled with blood. He sacrificed his son to the idol he brought into the land. He got the Lord extremely angry at his children.
According to extra-biblical accounts, King Manasseh was responsible for the brutal murder of the prophet Isaiah. If you follow through, his acts led to the prophecy that features the captivity of Israelites by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon.
Therefore, He was the reason Shadrach Meshach and Abednego were thrown into the burning furnace. King Manasseh was the reason Daniel had the engagement that led him to be thrown into the lion’s den.
What If?
What if Hezekiah had not prayed? What if he had not invoked the spiritual principle to remind God of his work and faithful label towards God’s divine goals? What if he had listened to the prophet Isaiah and prepared his house for his departure? What if he had died an honorable death? What if he had considered life after death more pleasurable and desirable than extra time on Earth? What if? What if?? What if???
So, was his prayer out of wisdom or foolishness? Is it okay to question the wisdom of God? Is it advisable to invoke spiritual principles whenever we ‘feel we are in a tight corner?’ Is it ‘okay’ to wave the wand and mumble words that can bind and command results? Should we be another Hezekiah who, out of the desire for extra time, jeopardizes the future of the people of Judah?
Reflect on these things and make wise choices!
Always trust the wisdom of God!
