In the Bible, Hezekiah’s figs refer to the medicinal use of figs as described in 2 Kings 20:7, where the prophet Isaiah instructs that a poultice of figs be applied to Hezekiah’s boil for healing. This signifies both a miraculous healing by God and the practical use of natural remedies in ancient times.
Scripture
1 In those days Hezekiah became sick and was at the point of death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came to him and said to him, “Thus says the Lord, ‘Set your house in order, for you shall die; you shall not recover.’”
2 Then he turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord, saying,
3 “Now, O Lord, please remember how I have walked before you in faithfulness and with a whole heart, and have done what is good in your sight.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly.
4 And when Isaiah had gone out into the middle of the court, the word of the Lord came to him:
5 “Turn back, and say to Hezekiah the leader of my people, Thus says the Lord, the God of David your father: I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Behold, I will heal you. On the third day you shall go up to the house of the Lord.”
6 And I will add fifteen years to your life.
7 And Isaiah said, “Bring a cake of figs. And let them take and lay it on the boil, that he may recover.”
8 And Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “What shall be the sign that the Lord will heal me, and that I shall go up to the house of the Lord on the third day?”
9 And Isaiah said, “This shall be the sign to you from the Lord, that the Lord will do the thing that he has promised: shall the shadow go forward ten steps, or go back ten steps?”
10 And Hezekiah answered, “It is an easy thing for the shadow to lengthen ten steps. Rather let the shadow go back ten steps.”
11 And Isaiah the prophet called to the Lord, and he brought the shadow back ten steps, by which it had gone down on the steps of Ahaz.
Hezekiah’s Figs: Biblical Significance Explained
The narrative of Hezekiah’s figs in 2 Kings 20:7 embodies a rich interplay between divine intervention and the use of practical means for healing. When the prophet Isaiah tells Hezekiah to apply a poultice of figs to his boil, it highlights the biblical theme that God, while sovereign in His ability to heal, also acknowledges the role of natural elements in the process of restoration. This duality reflects a broader theological understanding found throughout the Scriptures: that faith in God’s power works in concert with the wisdom and resources provided by creation. In this instance, the figs not only serve as a physical remedy but also symbolize God’s provision and care for His people, affirming that He is involved in the details of their lives (2 Kings 20:5).
Further, Hezekiah’s healing serves as a narrative pivot towards the themes of repentance and restoration. Hezekiah, who was once granted a 15-year extension to his life after pleading with God, illustrates the mercy and leniency of God toward those who seek Him earnestly (2 Kings 20:6). This story emphasizes the importance of turning back to God and the transformative nature of genuine faith. The application of the figs can also be seen as a metaphor for the healing we receive when we combine our spiritual journey with tangible, earthly actions, such as prayer and the use of the resources available to us. Overall, Hezekiah’s figs remind believers that God invites collaboration between the divine and the natural world to fulfill His purposes in health and healing.
The encounter involving Hezekiah’s figs also acts as a profound reminder of God’s intimate involvement in the human experience, particularly in the context of suffering and the quest for healing. In this narrative, the figs signify not only physical remedy but also the necessity of faith and obedience in the face of adversity. The act of applying the poultice can be interpreted as an exercise in trust—Hezekiah’s responsiveness to Isaiah’s instructions showcases a profound act of faith that acknowledges both divine authority and the role of earthly means in the healing process. This dual action reinforces the belief that God’s healing can appear in various forms and that human cooperation is integral to experiencing restoration.
Moreover, the themes present in this narrative echo throughout other scriptural passages where physical symbols are used as conduits for spiritual truths. For example, references to figs and their significance in agricultural contexts often denote prosperity and blessing (as seen in Jeremiah 24, where figs represent the fate of the exiled people). In these instances, the fig tree becomes an emblem of hope and renewal amidst trials. Consequently, Hezekiah’s healing through figs serves as a microcosm for the larger biblical narrative, where physical elements frequently intertwine with spiritual revelations. Ultimately, this element reinforces the message that God’s work in the world is multifaceted, weaving together the natural and supernatural to fulfill His redemptive purposes for humanity.
Symbol of Healing and Restoration
Hezekiah’s figs serve as a powerful symbol of healing and restoration in the biblical narrative. The act of applying the figs to Hezekiah’s boil signifies not only physical healing but also the broader theme of divine intervention in times of distress. This imagery reflects the belief that God can restore health and well-being, emphasizing the importance of faith and reliance on divine power during challenging times.
Representation of Divine Mercy
The figs also represent God’s mercy and compassion towards His people. In the context of Hezekiah’s story, the use of figs as a remedy illustrates God’s willingness to provide for His faithful servants. This act of mercy highlights the relationship between God and His followers, showcasing how divine grace can manifest in tangible ways, offering hope and reassurance in moments of vulnerability.
Lesson on Faith and Obedience
Furthermore, the figs can be interpreted as a lesson on faith and obedience. Hezekiah’s acceptance of the remedy signifies his trust in God’s plan and his willingness to follow divine instructions. This aspect of the narrative encourages believers to remain steadfast in their faith, even when faced with dire circumstances, and to recognize the importance of obedience to God’s guidance as a pathway to healing and restoration.
How to Embrace Divine Mercy in Daily Life
Embracing divine mercy in our daily lives is a transformative journey that begins with recognizing the boundless love God has for each of us, despite our flaws and failures. Start by cultivating a heart of gratitude; take a moment each day to reflect on the blessings you’ve received, no matter how small. This practice opens our eyes to the mercy we’ve been shown and inspires us to extend that same grace to others. When faced with challenges or conflicts, remember the words of Jesus in Matthew 5:7, “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” Let this be a guiding principle in your interactions—choose kindness over judgment, forgiveness over resentment. Additionally, make it a habit to pray for those who have wronged you, as this not only lightens your own heart but also aligns you with God’s loving nature. By intentionally weaving mercy into the fabric of your daily actions, you’ll find that it not only enriches your own spiritual life but also reflects the light of Christ to those around you.
Bible References to Hezekiah’s Figs:
Isaiah 38:1-8: 1 In those days Hezekiah became sick and was at the point of death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came to him, and said to him, “Thus says the Lord: Set your house in order, for you shall die, you shall not recover.”
2 Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord,
3 and said, “Please, O Lord, remember how I have walked before you in faithfulness and with a whole heart, and have done what is good in your sight.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly.
4 Then the word of the Lord came to Isaiah:
5 “Thus says the Lord, the God of David your father: I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Behold, I will add fifteen years to your life.”
6 I will deliver you and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria, and will defend this city.
7 “This is the sign to you from the Lord, that the Lord will do this thing that he has promised:”
8 Behold, I will make the shadow cast by the declining sun on the dial of Ahaz turn back ten steps.” So the sun turned back on the dial the ten steps by which it had declined.
Jeremiah 24:1-10: 1 After Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had taken into exile from Jerusalem Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, together with the officials of Judah, the craftsmen, and the metal workers, and had brought them to Babylon, the Lord showed me this vision: behold, two baskets of figs placed before the temple of the Lord.
2 One basket had very good figs, like first-ripe figs, but the other basket had very bad figs, so bad that they could not be eaten.
3 Then the Lord said to me, “What do you see, Jeremiah?” I said, “Figs, the good figs very good, and the bad figs very bad, that cannot be eaten due to their badness.”
4 Then the word of the Lord came to me:
5 “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: Like these good figs, so I will regard as good the exiles from Judah, whom I have sent away from this place to the land of the Chaldeans.”
6 I will set my eyes on them for good, and I will bring them back to this land. I will build them up, and not tear them down; I will plant them, and not uproot them.
7 I will give them a heart to know that I am the Lord, and they shall be my people and I will be their God, for they shall return to me with their whole heart.
8 “But thus says the Lord: Like the bad figs that are so bad they cannot be eaten, so will I treat Zedekiah the king of Judah, his officials, the remnant of Jerusalem who remain in this land, and those who dwell in the land of Egypt.
9 I will make them a horror to all the kingdoms of the earth, to be a reproach, a byword, a taunt, and a curse in all the places where I shall drive them.
10 And I will send sword, famine, and pestilence upon them, until they shall be utterly destroyed from the land that I gave to them and their fathers.
Jeremiah 29:17-19: 17 Thus says the Lord of hosts: Behold, I am sending on them sword, famine, and pestilence, and I will make them like vile figs that are so rotten they cannot be eaten.
18 I will pursue them with sword, famine, and pestilence, and will make them a horror to all the kingdoms of the earth, to be a curse, a terror, a hissing, and a reproach among all the nations where I have driven them,
19 because they did not pay attention to my words, declares the Lord, that I persistently sent to you by my servants the prophets, but you would not listen, declares the Lord.’
1 Samuel 25:18-19: 18 Then Abigail made haste and took two hundred loaves and two skins of wine and five sheep already prepared and five seahs of parched grain and a hundred clusters of raisins and two hundred cakes of figs, and laid them on donkeys.
19 And she said to her young men, “Go on before me; behold, I come after you.” But she did not tell her husband Nabal.
1 Chronicles 12:40-41: 40 Moreover those who were near to them, even as far as Issachar and Zebulun and Naphtali, brought food on donkeys, camels, mules, and oxen, abundant provisions of flour, cakes of figs, clusters of raisins, wine, oil, oxen, and sheep, for there was joy in Israel.
41 All these men of war, arrayed in battle order, came to Hebron with a whole heart to make David king over all Israel. Likewise, all the rest of Israel were of one mind to make David king.
Nehemiah 13:15-16: 15 In those days I saw in Judah people treading winepresses on the Sabbath, and bringing in heaps of grain and loading them on donkeys, and also wine, grapes, figs, and all kinds of loads, which they brought into Jerusalem on the Sabbath day. And I warned them on the day when they sold food.
16 There also, at that time, I said to the people of Judah, “Let every man and his servant pass the night within Jerusalem, that they may be a guard for us by night and may labor by day.”
Hosea 9:10-17: 10 Like grapes in the wilderness, I found Israel. Like the first fruit on the fig tree in its first season, I saw your fathers. But they came to Baal-peor and consecrated themselves to the thing of shame, and became detestable like the thing they loved.
11 Ephraim’s glory shall fly away like a bird—
no birth, no pregnancy, no conception.
12 But even if they bring up children,
I will bereave them till none is left.
Woe to them
when I depart from them!
13 Ephraim, as I have seen, was like a young palm planted in a meadow; but Ephraim must lead his children out to slaughter.
14 Give them, O Lord— what will you give? Give them a miscarrying womb and dry breasts.
15 Every evil of theirs is in Gilgal;
there I began to hate them.
Because of the wickedness of their deeds
I will drive them out of my house.
I will love them no more;
all their princes are rebels.
16 Ephraim is stricken; their root is dried up; they shall bear no fruit. Even though they give birth, I will put their beloved children to death.
17 My God will reject them because they have not listened to him; they shall be wanderers among the nations.
Micah 7:1-6: 1 Woe is me! For I have become as when the summer fruit has been gathered, as when the grapes have been gleaned: there is no cluster to eat, no first-ripe fig that my soul desires.
2 The godly has perished from the earth,
and there is no one upright among mankind;
they all lie in wait for blood,
and each hunts the other with a net.
3 Their hands are on what is evil, to do it well; the prince and the judge ask for a bribe, and the great man utters the evil desire of his soul; thus they weave it together.
4 The best of them is like a brier,
the most upright of them a thorn hedge.
The day of your watchmen, of your punishment, has come;
now their confusion is at hand.
5 Put no trust in a neighbor; have no confidence in a friend; guard the doors of your mouth from her who lies in your arms;
6 For the son treats the father with contempt, the daughter rises up against her mother, the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; a man’s enemies are the men of his own house.
Matthew 21:18-22: 18 In the morning, as he was returning to the city, he became hungry.
19 And seeing a fig tree by the wayside, he went to it and found nothing on it but only leaves. And he said to it, “May no fruit ever come from you again!” And the fig tree withered at once.
20 When the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, “How did the fig tree wither at once?”
21 And Jesus answered them, “Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen.
22 And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.
Mark 11:12-14: 12 On the following day, when they came from Bethany, he was hungry.
13 And seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to see if he could find anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs.
14 And he said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard it.
Luke 13:6-9: 6 And he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none.
7 And he said to the vinedresser, ‘Look, for three years now I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down. Why should it use up the ground?’
6 And he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none.
9 Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’”
Reverend Ogunlade is a seasoned Church Minister with over three decades of experience in guiding and nurturing congregations. With profound wisdom and a serene approach, Reverend Ogunlade has carried out various pastoral duties, including delivering uplifting sermons, conducting religious ceremonies, and offering sage counsel to individuals seeking spiritual guidance. Their commitment to fostering harmony and righteousness within their community is exemplified through their compassionate nature, making them a beloved and trusted figure among the congregation.