The Sun Moved West to East

In those days Hezekiah became ill and was at the point of death. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz went to him and said, “This is what the LORD says: Put your house in order, because you are going to die; you will not recover.” Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD, “Remember, LORD, how I have walked before you faithfully and with wholehearted devotion and have done what is good in your eyes.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly. Before Isaiah had left the middle court, the word of the LORD came to him: “Go back and tell Hezekiah, the ruler of my people, ‘This is what the LORD, the God of your father David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will heal you. On the third day from now you will go up to the temple of the LORD. I will add fifteen years to your life. And I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria. I will defend this city for my sake and for the sake of my servant David.’ ” 2 Kings 20:1-6

About halfway through King Hezekiah’s reign, King Sennacherib of Assyria invades Judah, and to avoid defeat in battle, Hezekiah agrees to pay tribute to Sennacherib, resulting in Sennacherib withdrawing from Judah. Hezekiah stripped the gold from the temple to give Sennacherib. At this point, Hezekiah gets ill and Isaiah brings a message he will die. Hezekiah’s prayer turns God’s decision, and promises to give him 15 more years of life. The famous sign given to Hezekiah that God’s promise will be done – the shadow goes backwards ten steps on a sun dial type stairway, meaning the sun moved backwards at God’s command. In keeping His word about delivering Hezekiah from the king of Assyria, God’s Angel of Death kills 185,000 Assyrian troops one night. In the morning all the dead bodies were discovered, so Sennacherib broke camp and returned to Nineveh in disgrace. Ever feel like the odds are against you? Have faith, trust in God, believe in Him, be saved.