Main Highlights
Hezekiah becomes mortally ill, prays to God, and God extends his life by fifteen years.
Key Verses
In those days Hezekiah became sick and was near death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came to him and said to him, “Thus says the Lord: Set your house in order, for you shall die, you shall not recover.””— Isaiah 38:1
“Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord, and said, “Please, O Lord, remember how I have walked before you in faithfulness and with a whole heart, and have done what is good in your sight.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly.”— Isaiah 38:2-3
“Behold, I will add fifteen years to your life. I will deliver you and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria, and I will defend this city.”— Isaiah 38:5-6
"O Lord, by these things men live, and in all these is the life of my spirit. Oh restore me and make me live."— Isaiah 38:16
"The Lord will save me, and we will play my music with stringed instruments all the days of our lives at the house of the Lord.”— Isaiah 38:20
"I shall walk carefully all my years, because of the bitterness of my soul."— Isaiah 38:15
Related Scripture
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds."— Psalm 147:3
Scholar Insight
"Hezekiah's illness and subsequent healing is a reminder that even the most righteous individuals are subject to suffering and mortality. However, it also demonstrates God's willingness to hear and respond to the prayers of those who seek Him." - Gary V. Smith, Isaiah 1-39 (Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 2009), p. 668"
Theological Analysis
What we learn about God
We learn about God's compassion and His ability to heal. The chapter reveals the intimacy that can exist between God and His servants through prayer. "O Lord, by these things men live, and in all these is the life of my spirit. Oh restore me and make me live." Isaiah 38:16
Christological Connection
Hezekiah's healing can be seen as a foreshadowing of Jesus' healing ministry. Hezekiah's sickness is representative of our own sickness to sin that can be healed by Jesus. "The Lord will save me, and we will play my music with stringed instruments all the days of our lives at the house of the Lord.” Isaiah 38:20
Systematic Theology
The passage illustrates the doctrine of prayer and God's responsiveness to it. It also highlights the role of faith in seeking divine intervention. "I shall walk carefully all my years, because of the bitterness of my soul." Isaiah 38:15
Law & Grace
Hezekiah appeals to his faithfulness to God's law, but ultimately, his healing is an act of God's grace. "Please, O Lord, remember how I have walked before you in faithfulness and with a whole heart, and have done what is good in your sight.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly." Isaiah 38:3
Personal Application
We should be encouraged to be honest with God about our fears and desires, trusting that He hears our prayers. "The Lord will save me, and we will play my music with stringed instruments all the days of our lives at the house of the Lord.” Isaiah 38:20