ÒSo they looked and saw that
the text said, Ôabout the space of a whole
day.Õ The word ÔaboutÕ changed the
whole situation, and the astronomer took
up his reading again. He read on until he came to the 38th chapter of
the prophet Isaiah. In this chapter, Isaiah has left us the thrilling story of the king, Hezekiah, who was sick unto death. In response to his prayer, God promised to add fifteen more years to
his life. To confirm the truth of His promise, God offered a
sign. He said, ÔGo out in the court and look at the sundial of
Ahaz. I will make the shadow on the sundial back up ten
degrees!Õ Isaiah recounts that the king looked, and while he
looked, the shadow turned backward ten degrees,
by which ten degrees it had already gone down!