King Hezekiah was something of a rarity. He was a good king who led the people of Israel in obedience to the covenant relationship that had been struck at Sinai. Unfortunately, there were not too many kings of Israel who could say as much.
When Isaiah announces that Hezekiah will soon die, not only do the people mourn their loss, but Hezekiah himself is profoundly saddened. He could not understand how God could strike him down after he had served as king for as few as fifteen years. He was still a young man. Why was the prophet announcing his looming death?
First of all, let us remember that these people had no understanding of life after death. While we believe that we will gain eternal life through our faith in Jesus and His Resurrection, for these people the only reward they knew was that of a long life.
Secondly, the people of this time would have thought that dying of an infected skin lesion would have been an indication that Hezekiah was a sinner, that God was punishing him. However, because of Hezekiah’s prayers and tears, God relents and grants Hezekiah’s wish.
What does the story have to say to us? Is God rewarding Hezekiah because of his adherence to the covenant, because of his obedience, and because he prays? If this were the case, how do we explain the deaths of young or good people? The story is not about Hezekiah. The story is about God, a God who is merciful and just. Our focus should be on God, not on Hezekiah. By saving Hezekiah, God is also saving the people of Israel.
God offers us the same mercy, the same justice. Young people still die; good men and women suffer. However, unlike Hezekiah and the people of his time, we know that illness or premature death is not a sign of sin. So we are called to trust in God’s mercy and in God’s justice. This is the only appropriate response to God who has been so good to us by offering His only Son for our sins.
Fr. Lawrence Jagdfeld, O.F.M., Administrator