Conclusion of Hezekiah’s Reign
April 29, 2020
Commentary
This passage concerns an interesting event in Hezekiah’s life. This took place before the Assyrian invasion and it was front-line news. Imagine how the people of Judah must have reacted when they heard their king was “sick unto death” (v. 1) and at the same time the Assyrians are on the march. We are not told exactly what his sickness was, but we do know it included a boil (v. 21).
When Isaiah told the king he was going to die, he began to pray and to weep (vv 2-3). He reminded the Lord that he had “walked before Him in truth and with a perfect heart” (v. 3). In response to Hezekiah’s request, the Lord promised through Isaiah that the king’s life would be prolonged for 15 years (vv 4-5). God then confirms His promise to Isaiah by a sign of moving the sundial back ten degrees (vv 6-8; II Kings 20:8), which some Bible scholars say is about 20 minutes. Hezekiah wrote a song telling us how he felt during his experience of illness and recovery. He had:
1. A new appreciation of life (vv 9-12)
2. A new appreciation for prayer (vv 13-14)
3. A new appreciation of opportunities for service (vv 15-20)
Hezekiah realized that his prayer brought deliverance and forgiveness. He knew that God had spared his life. He also recognized the good that came from his bitter experience (vv 16-18). He then spoke of the significance of passing the joy of the Lord from the father to his children (v. 19).
Application
In response to fervent prayer, God may change the course of my life just as he did for Hezekiah. I should never hesitate to ask God for miracles as long as I plan to honor Him when it happens.
Isaiah 38:1– 22 (NET)
1 In those days Hezekiah was stricken with a terminal illness. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz visited him and told him, “This is what the Lord says, ‘Give instructions to your household, for you are about to die; you will not get well.’” 2 Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord, 3 “Please, Lord. Remember how I have served you faithfully and with wholehearted devotion, and how I have carried out your will.” Then Hezekiah wept bitterly.
4 The Lord’s message came to Isaiah, 5 “Go and tell Hezekiah: ‘This is what the Lord God of your ancestor David says: “I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Look, I will add fifteen years to your life. 6 I will also rescue you and this city from the king of Assyria. I will shield this city.”’” 7 Isaiah replied, “This is your sign from the Lord confirming that the Lord will do what he has said: 8 Look, I will make the shadow go back ten steps on the stairs of Ahaz.” And then the shadow went back ten steps.
9 This is the prayer of King Hezekiah of Judah when he was sick and then recovered from his illness:
10 “I thought, ‘In the middle of my life I must walk through the gates of Sheol, I am deprived of the rest of my years.’
11 “I thought, ‘I will no longer see the Lord in the land of the living, I will no longer look on humankind with the inhabitants of the world.
12 My dwelling place is removed and taken away from me as a shepherd’s tent. I rolled up my life like a weaver rolls cloth; from the loom he cuts me off. You turn day into night and end my life.
13 I cry out until morning; like a lion he shatters all my bones; you turn day into night and end my life.
14 Like a swallow or a thrush I chirp, I coo like a dove; my eyes grow tired from looking up to the sky. O Lord, I am oppressed; help me!
15 What can I say? He has decreed and acted. I will walk slowly all my years because I am overcome with grief.
16 O Lord, your decrees can give men life; may years of life be restored to me. Restore my health and preserve my life.’
17 “Look, the grief I experienced was for my benefit. You delivered me from the Pit of oblivion. For you removed all my sins from your sight.
18 Indeed Sheol does not give you thanks; death does not praise you. Those who descend into the Pit do not anticipate your faithfulness.
19 The living person, the living person, he gives you thanks, as I do today. A father tells his sons about your faithfulness.
20 The Lord is about to deliver me, and we will celebrate with music for the rest of our lives in the Lord’s temple.”
21 (Isaiah ordered, “Let them take a fig cake and apply it to the ulcerated sore and he will get well.” 22 Hezekiah said, “What is the confirming sign that I will go up to the Lord’s temple?”)
Illustration: Qualities That Make Strong Families
A few years ago Dr. Nick Stinnett of the University of Nebraska conducted a group of studies called the “Family Strengths Research Project” Stinnett and his researchers identified six qualities that make for strong families. The first quality and one of the most important to be found in strong families was the quality of appreciation. Families that are strong are strong in part, Dr. Stinnett concludes, because family members express to each other their appreciation for what the other members DO and for who they ARE. That is pretty staggering information. (Sermon Central)