Isaiah 38

Chapter Summary

Isaiah 38 recounts the story of Hezekiah's illness and his prayer to God for healing. The prophet Isaiah is sent to Hezekiah with a message from God, telling him to set his house in order because he will not recover. However, Hezekiah prays fervently to God, reminding Him of his faithfulness and asking for healing. God hears Hezekiah's prayer and sends Isaiah back with a message of healing and recovery. Hezekiah is healed, and as a sign of God's promise, the shadow on the sundial is reversed. The chapter also includes a song of thanksgiving that Hezekiah wrote after his recovery, in which he expresses his gratitude to God for his mercy and deliverance. Key verses include Isaiah 38:1-3, where Isaiah delivers the initial message to Hezekiah, and Isaiah 38:4-6, where God responds to Hezekiah's prayer with a promise of healing.

Context for the Chapter

Isaiah 38 is part of the larger narrative of the book of Isaiah, which emphasizes God's judgment and redemption of His people. The chapter is situated in the context of Hezekiah's reign as king of Judah, and serves as a demonstration of God's mercy and deliverance in response to faith and prayer. The chapter also looks forward to the gospel, where Christ's work on the cross demonstrates God's ultimate redemption and deliverance.

Heart Application

This chapter encourages believers to cultivate a deep sense of reverence and trust in God's character, and to pray fervently in times of need. Hezekiah's example shows that even in the face of adversity, God is faithful and merciful, and that He hears and responds to the prayers of His people.

What Does This Chapter Mean?

This chapter tells the story of Hezekiah, a king who got very sick and prayed to God for healing. God heard Hezekiah's prayer and healed him, and Hezekiah wrote a song of thanksgiving to express his gratitude. The chapter shows that God is merciful and faithful, and that He hears and responds to the prayers of His people, as seen in Isaiah 38:3 and Isaiah 38:9.

Voices from the Church

“Hezekiah's prayer is a model of faith and humility, demonstrating the importance of trusting in God's goodness and mercy, even in the face of adversity.”

— Charles Spurgeon

“The reversal of the shadow on the sundial is a miraculous sign of God's power and mercy, and serves as a reminder of His sovereignty over all aspects of life.”

— John Calvin

Outline for Preaching

1. Hezekiah's Illness and Prayer (Isaiah 38:1-3) — Hezekiah is afflicted with a terminal illness, and Isaiah is sent to him with a message from God. Hezekiah prays fervently to God, reminding Him of his faithfulness and asking for healing.
2. God's Response to Hezekiah's Prayer (Isaiah 38:4-6) — God hears Hezekiah's prayer and sends Isaiah back with a message of healing and recovery. God promises to add fifteen years to Hezekiah's life and to deliver him and Jerusalem from the king of Assyria.
3. The Sign of the Sundial (Isaiah 38:7-8) — As a sign of God's promise, the shadow on the sundial is reversed, demonstrating God's power and mercy. This miracle serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty over all aspects of life.
4. Hezekiah's Song of Thanksgiving (Isaiah 38:9-20) — Hezekiah writes a song of thanksgiving to express his gratitude to God for His mercy and deliverance. The song is a model of worship and praise, and serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness and goodness.
5. Conclusion (Isaiah 38:21-22) — The chapter concludes with a statement about the sign that was given to Hezekiah, and a reminder of God's faithfulness and mercy. The conclusion serves as a final emphasis on the importance of trusting in God's goodness and mercy, even in the face of adversity.

Core Doctrines

The Sovereignty of God

This chapter teaches that God is sovereign over all aspects of life, including healing and recovery. This is evident in Isaiah 38:4-6, where God responds to Hezekiah's prayer and promises to heal him.

The Importance of Prayer

The chapter emphasizes the importance of prayer in the life of believers, as Hezekiah's prayer is heard and responded to by God. This is seen in Isaiah 38:1-3, where Hezekiah prays to God and God sends Isaiah with a message of healing.

The Faithfulness of God

The chapter demonstrates God's faithfulness and mercy, as He hears and responds to Hezekiah's prayer. This is evident in Isaiah 38:3, where Hezekiah expresses his faithfulness and wholeheartedness before God, and God responds with a promise of healing.

The Gospel

The chapter ultimately points to the gospel, where Christ's work on the cross demonstrates God's ultimate redemption and deliverance. This is seen in the themes of prayer, faith, and God's sovereignty, which are all relevant to the Christian life.

Lessons from Isaiah 38

1. The Importance of Humility — Hezekiah's prayer demonstrates the importance of humility and recognition of God's sovereignty, as he acknowledges his own mortality and limitations. This is evident in Isaiah 38:3, where Hezekiah expresses his faithfulness and wholeheartedness before God.
2. The Power of Prayer — The chapter highlights the importance of prayer in the life of believers, as Hezekiah's prayer is heard and responded to by God. This is seen in Isaiah 38:1-3, where Hezekiah prays to God and God sends Isaiah with a message of healing.
3. God's Faithfulness — The chapter demonstrates God's faithfulness and mercy, as He hears and responds to Hezekiah's prayer. This is evident in Isaiah 38:3, where Hezekiah expresses his faithfulness and wholeheartedness before God, and God responds with a promise of healing.
4. The Importance of Worship — Hezekiah's song of thanksgiving is a model of worship and praise, and serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness and goodness. This is seen in Isaiah 38:9-20, where Hezekiah writes a song of thanksgiving to express his gratitude to God for His mercy and deliverance.
5. The Sovereignty of God — The chapter teaches that God is sovereign over all aspects of life, including healing and recovery. This is evident in Isaiah 38:4-6, where God responds to Hezekiah's prayer and promises to heal him.

Themes from Isaiah 38

1. Prayer and Faith — The chapter emphasizes the importance of prayer and faith in the life of believers, as Hezekiah's prayer is heard and responded to by God. This is seen in Isaiah 38:1-3, where Hezekiah prays to God and God sends Isaiah with a message of healing.
2. God's Sovereignty — The chapter teaches that God is sovereign over all aspects of life, including healing and recovery. This is evident in Isaiah 38:4-6, where God responds to Hezekiah's prayer and promises to heal him.
3. The Faithfulness of God — The chapter demonstrates God's faithfulness and mercy, as He hears and responds to Hezekiah's prayer. This is evident in Isaiah 38:3, where Hezekiah expresses his faithfulness and wholeheartedness before God, and God responds with a promise of healing.
4. Worship and Praise — Hezekiah's song of thanksgiving is a model of worship and praise, and serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness and goodness. This is seen in Isaiah 38:9-20, where Hezekiah writes a song of thanksgiving to express his gratitude to God for His mercy and deliverance.
5. The Gospel — The chapter ultimately points to the gospel, where Christ's work on the cross demonstrates God's ultimate redemption and deliverance. This is seen in the themes of prayer, faith, and God's sovereignty, which are all relevant to the Christian life.

Questions for Meditation

1. What can we learn from Hezekiah's prayer in Isaiah 38:3, and how can we apply it to our own lives?
2. How does God's response to Hezekiah's prayer demonstrate His sovereignty and mercy, as seen in Isaiah 38:4-6?
3. What is the significance of the sign of the sundial in Isaiah 38:7-8, and how does it relate to God's promise to Hezekiah?
4. How can we cultivate a deeper sense of reverence and trust in God's character, as Hezekiah did in Isaiah 38:3?
5. What does Hezekiah's song of thanksgiving in Isaiah 38:9-20 teach us about worship and praise, and how can we apply it to our own lives?

Detailed Chapter Outline

Frequently Asked Questions

Top Cross References

Sermons on Isaiah 38

	Sermon	Description
	Cleansed by the Blood by Robert B. Thompson	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of Christians giving themselves fully to God's plan. He urges believers to forget about themselves and love not their own liv
	Can I Be Coverted Today by Ian Paisley	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the unchangeable declaration that God can save sinners and bless those who minister the word for their salvation. The preacher refers to Jam
	The Lump of Figs (Isaiah 38) by Dick Hussey	In this sermon, the preacher discusses the story of a young king who is given a message from God through the prophet Isaiah. The king is told to set his house in order because he w
	Old Testament Survey - Part 21 by Dick Woodward	The sermon focuses on the Book of Deuteronomy, highlighting the transition of the second generation of God's people entering the promised land of Canaan after the first generation
	Slippery When by Jack Hyles	In this sermon, the preacher shares a personal experience of going door-to-door to evangelize. He encounters a man who is initially resistant but eventually sits down to listen. Th
	Soul Trouble by Thomas Bradbury	Thomas Bradbury preaches on the spiritual instruction found in John 12:27, where Jesus expresses His soul's trouble and submission to the Father's will. Bradbury emphasizes the dee
	Are You Ready? by J.C. Ryle	J.C. Ryle challenges his audience to reflect on their readiness for the uncertainties of the new year, emphasizing the inevitability of sickness, affliction, bereavement, death, an
	The Quality of Our Life Is More Important Than the Length of Our Life by Zac Poonen	Zac Poonen emphasizes that the quality of our life, defined by fulfilling God's will, is far more important than its length. He illustrates that some can accomplish God's tasks in
	Hezekiah—the Man Who Beat a Death Rap! by David Wilkerson	David Wilkerson discusses the story of King Hezekiah, who faced death but prayed for and received an extension of life from God. Despite his miraculous recovery, Hezekiah fell into
	The Death of the Flesh the Life of the Spirit by J.C. Philpot	J.C. Philpot preaches about the spiritual journey of King Hezekiah, emphasizing the deep work of God in the heart to bring believers to a true understanding of their own sinfulness

Summary of Matthew Henry Commentary on Isaiah 38

In this chapter, we see the remarkable story of Hezekiah's illness and recovery, which is a powerful demonstration of God's mercy and sovereignty. Hezekiah's prayer in Isaiah 38:3 is a model of faith and humility, and God's response to his prayer is a remarkable display of His power and goodness. The sign of the sundial is a miraculous confirmation of God's promise to Hezekiah, and serves as a reminder of His sovereignty over all aspects of life. Hezekiah's song of thanksgiving is a beautiful expression of his gratitude to God for His mercy and deliverance, and serves as a model for Christian worship and praise. As Matthew Henry notes, this chapter teaches us about the importance of prayer, the sovereignty of God, and the faithfulness of God, and encourages us to trust in His goodness and mercy, even in the face of adversity. Read the full unabridged Matthew Henry Commentary →

What Do You Notice?