A Journey Through The Old Testament - Elmer Towns

The gathering of the nation together in Jerusalem resulted in a turning again to God
among the people of both nations. When the week-long celebration of the Passover had ended,
the people did not want to leave. For another week they continued in the city, worshiping the
Lord in sacrifices and singing. Not since the time of Solomon had such rejoicing been known in
the streets of Jerusalem. But this revival was more than an emotional high. The renewed
commitment of the people of God resulted in a removal of idols, not only in Jerusalem and
Judah, but in the tribes of Israel also. Among the idols destroyed during this revival was one
called Nehushtan. This was perhaps the most unusual idol of Israel as it was one God Himself
had commanded to be built. He had instructed Moses to erect a brass serpent in the wilderness to
bring healing to those bitten by poisonous snakes, but years later this brass serpent, intended for
Israel as a picture of what God would eventually do not only for them but the whole world as He
raised His own Son on a cross, had become the subject of worship itself (30:23-31:1).
Following this revival, both the kings of Israel and Judah refused to pay tribute to the
Assyrian king. Even though their actions were similar, they were not the same and had different
results. When the northern king Hoshea stopped sending tribute to Assyria, he trusted in Egypt to
help him in his subsequent struggle. Assyria attacked Samaria, and three years later the king of
Israel was taken to an Assyrian prison. But when southern king Hezekiah determined to throw
off the yoke of the Assyrians, his trust was in God. Though he later wavered in his faith, the
Assyrians did not capture Jerusalem.
It was not until fourteen years into his reign that Sennacherib turned his attention to
Judah and began an invasion into that land. But when the Assyrian army began taking the outer
cities of Judah, King Hezekiah of Judah quickly made an agreement to pay tribute to them in
exchange for an end to their invasion. It would cost the king 300 talents of silver and 30 talents
of gold to save his nation from war. Without hesitation, Hezekiah sent the tribute. The gold
included in that initial payment included gold cut from the doors and pillars of the temple (2
Kings 18:13-16).
Physically, things did not go well for Hezekiah. He became sick with a serious illness
that threatened his life. The recorder of this illness used the Hebrew word shechim to describe
the condition. This word may refer to either boils or furuncles. Both of these conditions are
caused by the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus. Some of the more virulent strains of this
bacteria may be fatal. This is especially true if the victim’s resistance is low or if boils appear
near the nose or lips. Though Hezekiah’s illness could have been one of several diseases, the use
of a fig poultice to treat the illness suggests the presence of boils. Even today, green figs are used
in this way as a home remedy to draw out the infection of boils. In the case of Hezekiah, this
sickness came at a particularly low time in his life and threatened it (Isa. 38:1).
God sent Hezekiah the Prophet Isaiah to warn him of the seriousness of his condition and
urge him to prepare to die. There is no indication in Scripture that this illness was the result of
sin being judged in Hezekiah’s life, nor was the message of Isaiah necessarily intended as a
rebuke for anything wrong in the life of the king. God simply informed the godly king the time
had come that he would die, and gave him time to prepare his estate. Hezekiah responded to the
news with prayer and weeping. He was seriously concerned for the future of the Davidic
dynasty. It was an act of faith that prayed for extra years so he could have a son to carry on the
line (vv. 2-8).
The Lord responded to the prayer of Hezekiah in an unusual way. He commanded Isaiah,
“Return and tell Hezekiah the leader of My people, `Thus says the Lord, the God of David your
father: “I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; surely I will heal you. On the third day