2 Kings 20:9
And Isaiah said, This sign shalt thou have of the Lord, that the Lord will do the thing that he hath spoken: shall the shadow go forward ten degrees, or go back ten degrees?
2 Kings 20:9 (KJV)
Context
King Hezekiah of Judah was gravely ill, and the prophet Isaiah told him he would recover and go to the house of the Lord on the third day (2 Kings 20:8). Hezekiah asked for a sign to confirm this promise. In this verse, Isaiah offers him a choice: should the shadow on the sundial go forward ten degrees, or go back ten degrees?
Meaning
The shadow on a sundial or stairway marked the passing of time. Isaiah’s question gave Hezekiah the option to choose the sign. The Lord Himself would perform the miracle, showing that He alone controls the sun and the natural order. The sign was personal, for Hezekiah could select which movement he preferred, and it was tangible, so the king could see it with his own eyes.
Biblical connections
In the following verse, Hezekiah says it is a light thing for the shadow to go down ten degrees, but he asks that it return backward ten degrees (2 Kings 20:10). God grants this request, and the shadow moves backward, confirming His promise to heal the king and add fifteen years to his life (2 Kings 20:6). This event also appears in Isaiah 38:8, where the sign is described as the shadow returning ten degrees on the dial of Ahaz.
Application
God sometimes gives signs to strengthen the faith of His people. Hezekiah was already a faithful king, yet the Lord graciously accommodated his request. Believers today can ask God for confirmation of His promises, while trusting that He is sovereign over all creation. The same God who turned back the shadow can be trusted with every detail of life.
Reflection
The sign was not merely a wonder; it was a demonstration of God’s faithfulness and power. Hezekiah’s choice shows that God invites His people to participate in His work. The miracle points to a deeper truth: the Lord keeps every word He speaks. His promises are sure, and He is willing to confirm them in ways that speak directly to each heart.
