1 In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came unto him, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order: for thou shalt die, and not live.
2 Then Hezekiah turned his face toward the wall, and prayed unto the LORD,
3 And said, Remember now, O LORD, I beseech thee, how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done [that which is] good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore.
4 Then came the word of the LORD to Isaiah, saying,
5 Go, and say to Hezekiah, Thus saith the LORD, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will add unto thy days fifteen years.
6 And I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria: and I will defend this city.
7 And this [shall be] a sign unto thee from the LORD, that the LORD will do this thing that he hath spoken;
8 Behold, I will bring again the shadow of the degrees, which is gone down in the sun dial of Ahaz, ten degrees backward. So the sun returned ten degrees, by which degrees it was gone down.
9 The writing of Hezekiah king of Judah, when he had been sick, and was recovered of his sickness:
10 I said in the cutting off of my days, I shall go to the gates of the grave: I am deprived of the residue of my years.
11 I said, I shall not see the LORD, [even] the LORD, in the land of the living: I shall behold man no more with the inhabitants of the world.
12 Mine age is departed, and is removed from me as a shepherd’s tent: I have cut off like a weaver my life: he will cut me off with pining sickness: from day [even] to night wilt thou make an end of me.
13 I reckoned till morning, [that], as a lion, so will he break all my bones: from day [even] to night wilt thou make an end of me.
14 Like a crane [or] a swallow, so did I chatter: I did mourn as a dove: mine eyes fail [with looking] upward: O LORD, I am oppressed; undertake for me.
15 What shall I say? he hath both spoken unto me, and himself hath done [it]: I shall go softly all my years in the bitterness of my soul.
16 O Lord, by these [things men] live, and in all these [things is] the life of my spirit: so wilt thou recover me, and make me to live.
17 Behold, for peace I had great bitterness: but thou hast in love to my soul [delivered it] from the pit of corruption: for thou hast cast all my sins behind thy back.
18 For the grave cannot praise thee, death can [not] celebrate thee: they that go down into the pit cannot hope for thy truth.
19 The living, the living, he shall praise thee, as I [do] this day: the father to the children shall make known thy truth.
20 The LORD [was ready] to save me: therefore we will sing my songs to the stringed instruments all the days of our life in the house of the LORD.
21 For Isaiah had said, Let them take a lump of figs, and lay [it] for a plaister upon the boil, and he shall recover.
22 Hezekiah also had said, What [is] the sign that I shall go up to the house of the LORD?
Summary of Isaiah Chapter 38
Isaiah Chapter 38 recounts a significant moment in the life of King Hezekiah of Judah. The chapter details his illness, his prayer for healing, and the subsequent sign from God confirming his restoration. The chapter serves as a profound reflection on faith, divine intervention, and the human condition.
Key Themes
- Divine Healing: The chapter emphasizes God’s power to heal and restore life.
- Prayer and Intercession: Hezekiah’s earnest prayer illustrates the importance of seeking God in times of distress.
- Faith and Assurance: The sign given to Hezekiah reaffirms God’s faithfulness to His promises.
- Mortality and Reflection: Hezekiah’s contemplation of death prompts a deeper understanding of life and God’s purpose.
Detailed Analysis
Verses 1-3: Hezekiah’s Illness and Prayer
In the opening verses, Hezekiah is informed by the prophet Isaiah that he will die from his illness. Faced with this dire news, Hezekiah turns to God in prayer, weeping bitterly. His prayer is characterized by a plea for mercy and a reminder of his faithfulness to God.
- Desperation: Hezekiah’s immediate response to his impending death showcases the instinctive human reaction to seek divine help in crisis.
- Personal Relationship with God: His prayer reflects a deep personal relationship with God, marked by honesty and vulnerability.
Verses 4-6: God’s Response and Promise of Healing
God responds to Hezekiah’s prayer through Isaiah, promising him an additional fifteen years of life. This divine response highlights God’s compassion and willingness to alter circumstances based on sincere supplication.
- God’s Sovereignty: The promise of extended life illustrates God’s authority over life and death.
- Conditional Healing: The healing is contingent upon Hezekiah’s faith and the assurance that God is still in control.
Verses 7-8: The Sign of Healing
As a sign of His promise, God provides a miraculous sign involving the shadow on the sundial moving backward. This act serves as a tangible confirmation of God’s word and His power over natural laws.
- Miraculous Signs: The sign reinforces the theme of divine intervention in human affairs.
- Faith Strengthening: Such signs are meant to strengthen the faith of Hezekiah and the people of Judah.
Verses 9-20: Hezekiah’s Reflection and Song of Praise
Hezekiah reflects on his experience of illness and healing, expressing gratitude through a poetic song. His reflection highlights themes of mortality, the fleeting nature of life, and the hope of salvation through God.
- Mortality Awareness: Hezekiah’s contemplation on death leads to a deeper appreciation for life and God’s grace.
- Public Testimony: His song serves as a public declaration of God’s goodness and faithfulness, intended to encourage others.
Conclusion
Isaiah Chapter 38 is a poignant narrative that encapsulates the themes of divine healing, the power of prayer, and the assurance of God’s promises. Hezekiah’s story serves as an enduring reminder of the importance of faith, the reality of human vulnerability, and the hope found in God’s mercy.
