When I was in Bible College, my two favorite classes were both taught by the venerable S.G. Norris—Old Testament and Bible Doctrine. He didn’t just teach us to KNOW the lesson—he taught us to TEACH it.
In every class and in every sermon, Bro Norris had a way of explaining Bible truths so they’d stick in our memory forever. After all these years, I know I’m not the only student that still remembers clearly—his lesson titles, the inflection of his voice, and how it would crack with emotion as he taught the truths he loved so well. He taught us to LOVE the WORD as he loved it.
One lesson that I well remember was entitled “Hezekiah’s Replay”—taken from 2 Kings 20, 2 Chronicles 32, and Isaiah 38. No doubt, you know the story: Hezekiah had served the LORD faithfully as one of the eight “good” kings of Judah—one of the BEST ones. “He remained faithful to the LORD and did not turn from following Him; he kept the commandments that the LORD had given Moses. And the LORD was with Hezekiah, and he prospered wherever he went.” (2 Kings 18:6-7 BSB) Because he was faithful—and God was good—Hezekiah walked in the favor of the Lord.
However, as life would have it, he became very sick—at the point of death. Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed a short, but fervent prayer. Not even a classic prayer of faith, he simply reminded the LORD of his unreserved devotion through the years. True enough! The LORD not only heard him, but healed Him, and awarded him a spot BONUS of fifteen more years to be added to his life.
That was amazing in itself, but GOD was just getting started! As a token of His promise and the singular favor Hezekiah had found in His eyes, the LORD did something that was never done before nor since in all of history. Not for Abraham, not for Moses, not for David, not for anyone. The Creator of the Universe made the impossible happen—He caused the sun’s shadow on the sundial to move backward ten degrees. In other words, on the great tape deck in the sky, God pulsed the “back” button and actually replayed the last 40 minutes (or so) of time! Not just for Hezekiah—but for everyone on earth!
I will never forget how Bro Norris explained the improbability of executing such a sign in the heavens—using students to act it out. He taught that God would have caused the earth—which rotates at an incredible 1,000 miles per hour—to slow to a full stop, reverse gears, back up ten degrees, stop again, reverse AGAIN, and restart the earth’s 1K mph spin! All in answer to Hezekiah’s short, rather self-centered, deathbed prayer! (2 Kings 20:3)
You’ve got to wonder: WHAT was so special about THAT slice of time that God insisted on doing a replay? Was Hezekiah’s prayer so pleasing to God that He would stop the entire universe just to hear it AGAIN? (I recall Bro Norris suggesting that.) OR did God wish to HEAL Hezekiah a second time, just for good measure? Healing him once from a fatal disease was a miracle enough—but to think that God actually rewound the clock of time … and did it AGAIN! What an incredible proof of God’s favor!
Frankly, I kind of wish the story ended there—but it doesn’t. Good King Hezekiah’s behavior changed after his miracle. He clearly knew he was in God’s good graces, “but Hezekiah rendered not again according to the benefit done unto him; for his heart was lifted up …” (2 Chronicles 32:25 KJV)
It’s almost as if he developed a kind of “favor fever.” A prideful over-reaction to approval that went too far, as if to say, “I have favor with God. I’m special. Surely that’s why He loves me and has blessed me more than others.” Favor fever gets ugly when it turns smug. “God approves me. I am His child and, therefore, I’m above sin. I can do no wrong.”
Hezekiah, what happened? I believe that favor fever caused him to throw caution and humility to the wind. Getting fifteen more years, for FREE, made him a tad giddy and over-zealous—and he let his guard down. With a hearty “Come on in!!” he actually welcomed emissaries from Israel’s archenemy, Babylon, into the palace armory, giving them the royal tour. With a bit too much enthusiasm, he showed them everything in Israel’s treasury. Big mistake … and it got even worse.
It’s certainly an understatement to say that the FAVOR of the LORD is a powerful thing and should be handled with utmost care. The LORD has shown Himself to be “gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy” to ALL of us—with unmerited favor—but the very worst thing we can do is get smug about it. “God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.” (James 4:6 KJV)
We will dig deeper into this interesting story next time.
(Part 1 of 2)
