God use of figs to Heal Hezekiah
“In those days Hezekiah was sick and near death. And Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, went to him and said to him, “Thus says the Lord: ‘Set your house in order, for you shall die and not live’” (Isaiah 38:1). But King Hezekiah prayed earnestly to the Lord. He said, “Remember now, O Lord, I pray, how I have walked before You in truth and with a loyal heart, and have done what is good in Your sight.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly” (v. 2,3).
God’s response
The Lord answered Hezekiah’s prayer and sent His prophet Isaiah to with the following message, “Let them take a lump of figs, and apply it as a poultice on the boil, and he shall recover” (Isaiah 38:1,21; 2 Kings 20:7).
King Hezekiah might have objected at this simple treatment because he was suffering from a deadly illness. Perhaps the infection from his “boil” had spread and was aggressively threatening to take his life. In the king’s case, the illness had gotten to a place where no ordinary treatment could help. And the king might have felt that God should do some unusual act to save his life.
But when the command was given to apply a simple remedial agency, the instructions were followed carefully. And the king was healed. Man may not fully comprehend the reasons for the commands of the Lord, but it is always the wise thing to do is to keep them just as they are given.
Using natural remedies
There is a good lesson in this story for us to learn. The demonstration of a case for divine healing does not eliminate the use of natural remedies. The use of such treatments does not reveal a lack of faith. On the contrary, a refusal to do so is presumption and shows a lack of good judgment.
The Lord might have healed Hezekiah without the use of this fig poultice, but where natural remedies are available, the Lord desires that they should be used in the healing of disease. Therefore, it is our privilege, after offering a prayer for healing (James 5:14-16) to do all in our ability to bring about healing from suffering and help stop the spread of illness through natural methods.
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
