The Framework of Time

Never before nor after Hezekiah was there as great a king of Judah, for “he clung to the LORD.” (II Kings 18:6)

Hezekiah gets a letter from Sennacherib, King of Assyria, who claims he’s defeated every god so far, challenging those who trust in the God of Israel. At the house of the LORD, Hezekiah spreads out the letter as if to say, “I can’t believe this, LORD!” Of course, Sennacherib defeated the other nations—because their gods were manmade—but the God whom Hezekiah trusts is the Creator of heaven and earth. “Now, O LORD our God,” he prays, “deliver us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You alone, O LORD, are God.” (II Kings 19:19)

Isaiah the prophet delivers God’s response to Hezekiah: “Because you have prayed to Me about Sennacherib king of Assyria, I have heard you.” (II Kings 19:20) That very night the angel of the LORD struck down 185,000 Assyrians. (II Kings 19:35)

In the next chapter, Hezekiah learns he’s dying and pleads with God to remember his lifetime of service. When Isaiah informs Hezekiah that God is going to add fifteen years to his life, Hezekiah responds, “How will I know?” Isaiah says, “This will be the sign. Do you want the shadow to move forward ten steps or backward?” According to II Kings 20:10, Hezekiah answers, “It’s easy for the shadow to decline ten steps, so let the shadow turn backward ten steps.”

I’m startled by Hezekiah’s choice of the word “easy” in the context of controlling the earth’s rotation, yet it reveals his belief that God can move time forward or backward. Indeed, this chapter supports the idea that God is outside time, above and beyond the very framework of time. (O to know more!) Miraculously, God grants the sign, and allows Hezekiah to live for fifteen more years, as promised.

From June readings for Days 21, 22, and 23
II Kings 16-17, 18-19, and 20-21
Psalms 119:161-168, 119:160-176, and 120
Luke 6:17-26, 6:27-36, and 6:37-42
Philippians 3:10-14, 3:15-21, and 4:1-7