WHEN GOD USED A LUMP OF FIGS

       "And Isaiah said, Take a lump of figs. And they took and laid it on the boil, and he recovered."
(2 Kings 20:7; Isaiah 38:21)

When king Hezekiah was faced with a threatening Assyrian hoard, he laid out the letters of their boastful king, Sennacherib, before the Lord, seeking for deliverance. It came in a single night as the angel of the Lord smote 185,000 of the intimidating hosts. Sennacherib returned to his own country, and was soon slain by his own sons while he was worshiping in the house of his idolatrous god (2 Kgs 19:35-37). Soon after that, Hezekiah was "sick unto death." The Lord sent Isaiah the Prophet to tell him, "Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live" (20:1). This is the occasion when Hezekiah turned his face toward the wall and prayed for the extension of his life. His prayer was heard, and the Lord added fifteen years to his life (20:2-6). Our text reveals the means whereby the life of Hezekiah was extended. We learn his sickness was in the form of a grievous boil. This was no ordinary boil, but was a form of leprosy, much like a death-inducing ulcer, or cancer. Isaiah did not pray for the removal of this malady, nor did he touch him as Jesus did the leprous man (Matt 8:3). Instead, he directed those nearby to lay a "lump of figs" upon the boil, declaring "he shall recover" (Isa 38:21). Isaiah's record of the event says they laid the lump of figs "for a plaster upon the boil." A "plaster" is ordinarily a medical compound, spread upon a cloth and applied to an infected area. Other versions use the word "poultice," which means the same thing. The apparent suddenness of the cure [within three days, v. 8] confirms this was no ordinary medicinal treatment, even though it appeared to be so. We also know this is the case because it was directed by a prophet, apparently at the direction of the Lord. However, this recovery was not the sign that the Lord would extend Hezekiah's life. Instead, the Lord prolonged the day by twenty-two hours, as reflected in the shadow of the sundial going backwards by ten intervals (vs 9-11). We learn from this text that God sometimes uses ordinary means to work extraordinary results. His healings are not always accomplished without some form of human intervention. Nor, indeed, are they always accomplished by prayer. However, they ARE always accomplished by God, "Who heals all your diseases" (Psa 103:3). A lot can be learned from this incident with Hezekiah. It can assist us in seeing that Divine provision comes in a variety of ways. Yet, it never comes in a manner that will not bring glory to Him when properly seen.