Chapter Summary
Isaiah Chapter 38 tells the story of King Hezekiah of Judah, who became extremely ill and was told by the prophet Isaiah that he was going to die. Hezekiah prayed fervently and tearfully to God, reminding Him of his faithful life. In response, God, through Isaiah, reversed His decree, promising Hezekiah an additional fifteen years of life and protection for Jerusalem from the Assyrian army. As a miraculous sign to confirm this promise, the shadow on a sundial moved backward ten steps. The chapter then shares Hezekiah's song of gratitude, where he expresses his deep despair during his illness, his relief at being saved from death, and his renewed commitment to praising God and sharing His faithfulness with future generations. The chapter concludes with a note about the fig poultice used for his healing and Hezekiah's request for a sign of his recovery.
Bible:Essence Verses
- Around that time, King Hezekiah became extremely sick, near death. The prophet Isaiah, Amoz’s son, visited him and delivered God’s message: “Get your affairs in order, for you will die; you will not recover.”
- Hezekiah then turned his face toward the wall, perhaps to be alone with his thoughts, and prayed to the Lord.
- He said, “Please remember, Lord, I beg you, how I have lived my life honestly and with a wholehearted devotion to you, always doing what was pleasing in your eyes.” And Hezekiah cried very hard.
- The Lord’s message then came to Isaiah once more, saying,
- “Go and tell Hezekiah: This is what the Lord, the God of your ancestor David, says: I have listened to your prayer and noticed your tears. Look, I will add fifteen years to your life.”
- “I will also rescue you and this city from the power of the king of Assyria, and I will protect Jerusalem.”
- “And this will be a special sign from the Lord to you, proving that the Lord will definitely do what He has promised;”
- “Watch, I will make the shadow on the steps of Ahaz’s sundial, which has already moved down, go backward ten steps.” So the sun’s shadow actually moved back ten steps from where it had been.
- This is the song King Hezekiah of Judah wrote after he had been sick and then got better.
- I thought to myself, as my life was being cut short, that I was heading to the gates of death. I felt robbed of the rest of my years.
- I told myself I wouldn’t see the Lord, yes, the Lord, in the land of the living anymore. I wouldn't get to look upon people among the earth's inhabitants again.
- My life was taken away from me suddenly, like a shepherd quickly dismantles his tent. My life was being cut off like a weaver’s thread. I believed God was ending my life with a wasting sickness; from morning till night, you were bringing me to my end.
- I waited through the night, imagining that, like a lion, God would crush all my bones. From one day to the next, you seemed ready to bring my life to a close.
- I chirped and moaned like a crane or a swallow, and I grieved like a dove. My eyes grew tired from constantly looking up to you. Oh Lord, I feel crushed; please step in and help me.
- What can I say? God has not only spoken to me but has also made it happen Himself. I will spend all my remaining years humbly and carefully, remembering the deep pain I felt.
- Oh Lord, people live by such acts of your mercy, and these are the things that keep my spirit alive. You will certainly restore me and let me live.
- Look, when I thought I would have peace, I experienced intense bitterness. But out of love for me, you rescued my life from the pit of decay. Indeed, you have put all my wrongdoings behind you.
- For the grave cannot praise you, and death cannot celebrate you. Those who go down into the pit of the dead cannot hope for your faithfulness.
- The living, yes, the living, will praise you, just as I am doing today. Fathers will teach their children about your faithfulness.
- The Lord was eager to save me! Therefore, we will sing my songs with stringed instruments all the days of our lives in the Lord’s temple.
- (This is a narrative interjection) Earlier, Isaiah had instructed, “Take a cake of figs and apply it as a poultice to the boil, and Hezekiah will get better.”
- Hezekiah had also asked, “What is the sign that I will be able to go up to the Lord’s temple?”