“In those days Hezekiah became ill to the point of death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came to him and said to him, “Thus says Yahweh, ‘Set your house in order, for you shall die and not live.’……… “Return and say to Hezekiah the ruler of My people, ‘Thus says Yahweh, the God of your father David, “I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; behold, I will heal you. On the third day you shall go up to the house of Yahweh. “And I will add fifteen years to your life, and I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for My own sake and for My servant David’s sake.” 2 Kings 20:1, 5-6 LSB https://bible.com/bible/3345/2ki.20.1-6.LSB
Hezekiah was told that he would die his days on earth were over. His response? He wept. He was not ready to die but wanted more time on earth. God’s response to Hezekiah’s response to Him? Mercy was demonstrated by fifteen more years of life. How would I respond if I knew I was to die today? I too would weep. I am not ready to die. I have daughters to marry off and grandchildren to see who have yet to be born or even conceived. I have sons to invest into so that they become men of God, and more fruit I pray to bear so that I do not enter heaven empty-handed, no eternal gift for my King. If God were to guarantee me fifteen more years, then what? I want to think I would get to work. The work of ensuring my family’s salvation. The work of emphatically preaching Jesus as Savior so that all those I know come to Jesus before I die lest they never hear from anyone else God’s requirement for all people to be born again to enter the kingdom of heaven. Why do I wait now? Must I have a deadline before passionately obeying Jesus’ command to go and make disciples? Obedience needs no more motivation than love for the One to be obeyed. I should not need the fear of death before I obey God. None of us know for sure the length of our days. We are told to be faithful to God’s work by living in obedience to God all of our days so that when our day does come, we will be welcomed into the presence of God.
