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Isaiah 38

22 verses

TL;DR

Hezekiah, the king of Judah, is ill and praying; God, through Isaiah, promises and extends his life, and he recovers.

Summary

In Isaiah 38, Hezekiah is gravely ill and Isaiah informs him that he will die. Hezekiah turns to the Lord in prayer, lamenting his mortality. God speaks through Isaiah, promising to add fifteen years to his life and to deliver Judah from Assyria. Hezekiah is restored to health, rejoicing in God's mercy. The chapter ends with reflections on life, death, and God's sustaining power, and a mention of a healing remedy with figs.

Outline
  1. Hezekiah's illness and Isaiah's warning
  2. Hezekiah's prayer and God's promise
  3. Recovery and thanksgiving
Themes
Divine mercy and faithHope in God's promiseHuman humility before God
Keywords
HezekiahIsaiahGodAssyriasicknessprayerlife extensionsun dialfigs
People
HezekiahIsaiahGodKing of AssyriaAhaz
Places
JudahJerusalemthe city of the Lord
Things
shadow of degrees (sun dial)lump of figsfifteen-year life extensionsicknessprayer
Key Verses
  • Isaiah 38:5: God promises to add fifteen years to Hezekiah's life
  • Isaiah 38:21: Isaiah gives a tangible healing remedy and highlights God's power
Questions
  • How does Hezekiah's humility shape his relationship with God?
  • What does the promise of fifteen years reveal about God's sovereignty?
  • In what ways does the healing with figs illustrate God's care for physical as well as spiritual well-being?
Sentiment

positive
the narrative ends in healing and gratitude, conveying hope and divine compassion