Isaiah - Chapter 38

Isaiah 38.1 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. Isaiah 38.2 Then Hezekiah turned his face toward the wall, and prayed unto the LORD, Isaiah 38.3 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. Isaiah 38.4 Then came the word of the LORD to Isaiah, saying, Isaiah 38.5 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. Isaiah 38.6 And I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria: and I will defend this city. Isaiah 38.7 And this shall be a sign unto thee from the LORD, that the LORD will do this thing that he hath spoken; Isaiah 38.8 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. Isaiah 38.9 The writing of Hezekiah king of Judah, when he had been sick, and was recovered of his sickness: Isaiah 38.10 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. Isaiah 38.11 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. Isaiah 38.12 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. Isaiah 38.13 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. Isaiah 38.14 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. Isaiah 38.15 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. Isaiah 38.16 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. Isaiah 38.17 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. Isaiah 38.18 For the grave cannot praise thee, death can not celebrate thee: they that go down into the pit cannot hope for thy truth. Isaiah 38.19 The living, the living, he shall praise thee, as I do this day: the father to the children shall make known thy truth. Isaiah 38.20 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. Isaiah 38.21 For Isaiah had said, Let them take a lump of figs, and lay it for a plaister upon the boil, and he shall recover. Isaiah 38.22 Hezekiah also had said, What is the sign that I shall go up to the house of the LORD?

Isaiah : Chapter 38

Hezekiah's Sickness and Healing

Chapter 38 of the book of Isaiah offers us a poignant account of the illness and healing of Hezekiah, king of Judah. ​​This account invites us to reflect on the profound lessons we can learn from this unique spiritual experience.

A Call to Prayer

In this chapter, we witness Hezekiah's struggle with illness. His fervent prayer to the Lord testifies to his faith and devotion. Hezekiah implores God, saying, "Remember, O Lord, how faithfully and with sincere devotion I have served you." This supplication highlights the power of prayer and the intimate relationship we can have with our Creator.

Divine Mercy

God's response to Hezekiah's prayer is a shining example of divine mercy. After receiving the news of his impending death, Hezekiah receives the promise to extend his life for another fifteen years. This miracle underscores God's sovereignty and His willingness to listen to the cries of His faithful servants.

A Song of Gratitude

After his healing, Hezekiah expresses his gratitude through a song of gratitude. This moment of praise is a reminder that even in trials, we must always turn to God with a grateful heart. It teaches us that physical healing is not simply deliverance, but also an opportunity to celebrate God's goodness in our lives.

Biblical Resonances

To deepen our understanding of the themes addressed in Isaiah 38, five biblical passages enrich our reflection:

Conclusion

Hezekiah's story reminds us that prayer, faith, and gratitude are essential elements of our walk with God. Through trials, we discover His mercy and healing power. May we, like Hezekiah, turn to Him in prayer, seeking His will for our lives.