Slices
Prepare
‘Father God, thank you for all I have learned of you through Hezekiah’s story and these other passages. Help me to see what you want to say to me through today’s reading, too. Amen.’
Bible passage
Hezekiah’s illness
20 In those days Hezekiah became ill and was at the point of death. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz went to him and said, ‘This is what the Lord says: put your house in order, because you are going to die; you will not recover.’
2 Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord, 3 ‘Remember, Lord, how I have walked before you faithfully and with wholehearted devotion and have done what is good in your eyes.’ And Hezekiah wept bitterly.
4 Before Isaiah had left the middle court, the word of the Lord came to him: 5 ‘Go back and tell Hezekiah, the ruler of my people, “This is what the Lord, the God of your father David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will heal you. On the third day from now you will go up to the temple of the Lord. 6 I will add fifteen years to your life. And I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria. I will defend this city for my sake and for the sake of my servant David.”’
7 Then Isaiah said, ‘Prepare a poultice of figs.’ They did so and applied it to the boil, and he recovered.
8 Hezekiah had asked Isaiah, ‘What will be the sign that the Lord will heal me and that I will go up to the temple of the Lord on the third day from now?’
9 Isaiah answered, ‘This is the Lord’s sign to you that the Lord will do what he has promised: shall the shadow go forward ten steps, or shall it go back ten steps?’
10 ‘It is a simple matter for the shadow to go forward ten steps,’ said Hezekiah. ‘Rather, let it go back ten steps.’
11 Then the prophet Isaiah called on the Lord, and the Lord made the shadow go back the ten steps it had gone down on the stairway of Ahaz.
Envoys from Babylon
12 At that time Marduk-Baladan son of Baladan king of Babylon sent Hezekiah letters and a gift, because he had heard of Hezekiah’s illness. 13 Hezekiah received the envoys and showed them all that was in his storehouses – the silver, the gold, the spices and the fine oil – his armoury and everything found among his treasures. There was nothing in his palace or in all his kingdom that Hezekiah did not show them.
14 Then Isaiah the prophet went to King Hezekiah and asked, ‘What did those men say, and where did they come from?’
‘From a distant land,’ Hezekiah replied. ‘They came from Babylon.’
15 The prophet asked, ‘What did they see in your palace?’
‘They saw everything in my palace,’ Hezekiah said. ‘There is nothing among my treasures that I did not show them.’
16 Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, ‘Hear the word of the Lord: 17 the time will surely come when everything in your palace, and all that your predecessors have stored up until this day, will be carried off to Babylon. Nothing will be left, says the Lord. 18 And some of your descendants, your own flesh and blood who will be born to you, will be taken away, and they will become eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.’
19 ‘The word of the Lord you have spoken is good,’ Hezekiah replied. For he thought, ‘Will there not be peace and security in my lifetime?’
20 As for the other events of Hezekiah’s reign, all his achievements and how he made the pool and the tunnel by which he brought water into the city, are they not written in the book of the annals of the kings of Judah? 21 Hezekiah rested with his ancestors. And Manasseh his son succeeded him as king.
Explore
The end of Hezekiah’s story is an illustration that even the best among us can stumble and fall, if we don’t keep careful guard on our hearts.
We saw in chapter 18 that there was no one like him among all the kings of Judah, and that he held fast to the Lord and kept all his commandments. But then right here, after being healed of a fatal illness and seeing the incredible miracle of time being turned back, he let his pride run away with him.
In the 2 Chronicles 29 telling of the events, we learn that many people had sent Hezekiah gifts after Judah’s victory and Hezekiah’s healing. These formed much of what was in his storehouses. Yet instead of telling his visitors of God’s might, and glorifying him, Hezekiah showed off the wealth he had accumulated through God’s blessings.
Note God’s graciousness, though – he withheld the consequences until after Hezekiah’s death, and still caused the assessment of Hezekiah as a faithful follower to be recorded for all time.
Respond
It can be helpful to have a trusted friend with whom we can be honest about our sins and struggles. Is there someone you could begin to pray with in this way?
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Proverbs 15,16; 1 Thessalonians 1
Pray for Scripture Union
Pray for ka’zoo and ka’zoo 2, The Track and Wide Open holidays which start tomorrow. These events cover a range of activities and are an amazing opportunity for more young people to discover Jesus for themselves. Pray that teams will have sensitivity and clarity in presentations and conversations.
Because a strong start begins with smart preparation
Starting secondary school is more than new classrooms and new friends. It’s a season of growth, challenge and discovery. For some children, it’s exciting. For many, it’s overwhelming. And for all, it’s a defining moment.
That’s why It’s Your Move exists – to help children step into this new chapter with faith, courage and confidence.
For over 25 years, this trusted guide has supported more than 2.5 million children, offering practical advice, emotional guidance and encouragement rooted in Christian values.
Practical guidance you can trust.
Inside this 80-page guide, children will find:
✅ Real stories from pupils who’ve trusted God and themselves during the transition
✅ Guidance on friendships, confidence, homework and facing fears like bullying
✅ Space to reflect, pray and process emotions
✅ Encouragement and hope rooted in scripture
This isn’t just a book – it’s reassurance in their backpack.
Plus, every purchase includes instant access to:
✅ Student experience videos
✅ Assembly & lesson plans
✅ Creative tools to help children process the move
Secondary school is coming whether children feel ready or not. Let’s make sure they step forward grounded in faith, guided by hope and prepared with practical wisdom.
Get your copy here.
