Hezekiah’s Sickness and Recovery

Text: Isaiah 38

Hezekiah is told he is about to die - Isaiah 38:1-3

Hezekiah became gravely ill. Isaiah came to him with a message that he needed to get his house in order because he would soon die. Hezekiah takes the news badly and turns away from everyone. He prays to God, recalling that he has followed God wholeheartedly. He weeps bitterly that this would be the end of his life.

Manasseh was probably placed on the throne as a coregent at this time, even though he was only twelve years old (II Kings 21:1).

Hezekiah was 25 years old (II Chronicles 29:1). His illness came in the 14th year of his reign, shortly after God destroyed Sennacherib's army. This means Hezekiah was about 39 years old when he learned he was about to die. This gives us a hint why he was so upset at the news.

Hezekiah is granted fifteen more years of life - Isaiah 38:4-8

God sends Isaiah to tell Hezekiah that He heard his prayers and saw his tears. God would add 15 more years to his life. God also promised to deliver Hezekiah and Jerusalem from the hand of Sennacherib. While God had defeated Sennacherib, there was the fear that he would raise another army and come against Jerusalem again. God assured Hezekiah that this would not happen.

As evidence that God had truly promised these things, God caused the shadow on the stairway to move back ten steps.

Hezekiah's poem about his illness and recovery - Isaiah 38:9-20

A poem that Hezekiah later writes is inserted into the account. It gives us insight into what Hezekiah felt when he was told he would die. He was upset that he had no more time to serve the Lord or to see the world. He attempts to compose himself to face his fate, but he feels like he is in the jaws of a lion who is crushing his bones. In his despair, he turned to God for comfort.

Verse 15 begins Hezekiah's reaction to the news that God answered his prayer. He has little to say. God replied, and He will do it. Hezekiah will reflect on what occurred due to his bitterness for the rest of his life. Not only was he rescued from death for a while, but his sins were also forgiven. He would not have been able to praise God had he died, but today, he will praise God along with the living. He would pass on his knowledge of God's faithfulness to his son and sing about how God had saved him all the rest of his life.

Hezekiah's recovery - Isaiah 38:21-22

Isaiah gave instructions on how to treat Isaiah's illness, and Hezekiah recovered. Foremost on Hezekiah's mind was knowing when he could worship God at the Temple.