1 In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came unto him, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order: for thou shalt die, and not live.
2 Then Hezekiah turned his face toward the wall, and prayed unto the LORD,
3 And said, Remember now, O LORD, I beseech thee, how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore.
4 Then came the word of the LORD to Isaiah, saying,
5 Go, and say to Hezekiah, Thus saith the LORD, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will add unto thy days fifteen years.
6 And I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria: and I will defend this city.
7 And this shall be a sign unto thee from the LORD, that the LORD will do this thing that he hath spoken;
8 Behold, I will bring again the shadow of the degrees, which is gone down in the sun dial of Ahaz, ten degrees backward. So the sun returned ten degrees, by which degrees it was gone down.
9 The writing of Hezekiah king of Judah, when he had been sick, and was recovered of his sickness:
10 I said in the cutting off of my days, I shall go to the gates of the grave: I am deprived of the residue of my years.
11 I said, I shall not see the LORD, even the LORD, in the land of the living: I shall behold man no more with the inhabitants of the world.
12 Mine age is departed, and is removed from me as a shepherd's tent: I have cut off like a weaver my life: he will cut me off with pining sickness: from day even to night wilt thou make an end of me.
13 I reckoned till morning, that, as a lion, so will he break all my bones: from day even to night wilt thou make an end of me.
14 Like a crane or a swallow, so did I chatter: I did mourn as a dove: mine eyes fail with looking upward: O LORD, I am oppressed; undertake for me.
15 What shall I say? he hath both spoken unto me, and himself hath done it: I shall go softly all my years in the bitterness of my soul.
16 O LORD, by these things men live, and in all these things is the life of my spirit: so wilt thou recover me, and make me to live.
17 Behold, for peace I had great bitterness: but thou hast in love to my soul delivered it from the pit of corruption: for thou hast cast all my sins behind thy back.
18 For the grave cannot praise thee, death can not celebrate thee: they that go down into the pit cannot hope for thy truth.
19 The living, the living, he shall praise thee, as I do this day: the father to the children shall make known thy truth.
20 The LORD was ready to save me: therefore we will sing my songs to the stringed instruments all the days of our life in the house of the LORD.
21 For Isaiah had said, Let them take a lump of figs, and lay it for a plaister upon the boil, and he shall recover.
22 Hezekiah also had said, What is the sign that I shall go up to the house of the LORD?
Isaiah Chapter 38 of the King James Version (KJV) Holy Bible is a powerful narrative that explores themes of mortality, divine intervention, faith, and gratitude. It tells the story of King Hezekiah's illness, his prayer for healing, God's response, and Hezekiah's subsequent recovery and praise. The chapter provides profound insights into the relationship between God and man, the power of prayer, and the significance of gratitude.
The chapter begins with the illness of King Hezekiah, a righteous leader of Judah. Hezekiah is faced with his mortality when Isaiah, the prophet, delivers God's message that he should put his house in order because he will die and not live. The king's reaction to this news is emblematic of the human struggle with the inevitability of death. He turns his face to the wall and prays to the Lord, reminding Him of his faithfulness and dedication to His service. This act of prayer in the face of impending death underscores the theme of faith in the face of adversity.
In response to Hezekiah's prayer, God sends Isaiah back to the king with a new message – He has heard his prayer, seen his tears, and decided to add fifteen years to his life. This divine intervention is a testament to the power of prayer and faith. It also emphasizes the compassionate and merciful nature of God, who is moved by the sincere prayers and tears of His servant. The narrative affirms that despite the inevitability of death, God has the power to intervene and alter the course of events.
Hezekiah's faith in God is a central theme in this chapter. Despite the initial death sentence, he does not despair or question God's will. Instead, he turns to prayer, expressing his faith and trust in God's mercy. His faith is not passive but active, demonstrated by his fervent prayer for healing. The narrative suggests that such faith can move God to act favorably, reinforcing the biblical teaching that faith can move mountains (Matthew 17:20).
Following his miraculous recovery, Hezekiah composes a song of praise to God. His song, which forms the latter part of the chapter, is a testament of gratitude. He acknowledges God's mercy and celebrates his renewed life. He recognizes that it is God who has saved him from the pit of death and restored his health. His song is a poignant reminder of the importance of gratitude in the believer's relationship with God. It is a call to acknowledge God's mercies and to praise Him for His goodness.
Isaiah Chapter 38 offers many lessons to believers. Firstly, it underscores the inevitability of human mortality. Regardless of our status, achievements, or righteousness, death is a reality we must all face. However, the chapter also highlights the power of faith and prayer. In the face of death, Hezekiah does not lose hope but turns to God in prayer. His faith and sincerity move God to grant him more years of life. This narrative affirms the biblical teaching that God hears and answers prayers.
Secondly, the chapter underscores the compassionate nature of God. Despite the initial decree of death, God is moved by Hezekiah's tears and prayers to extend his life. This demonstrates that God is not a distant, unfeeling entity, but a compassionate Father who hears the cries of His children and responds to their needs.
Finally, the chapter highlights the importance of gratitude. Hezekiah's song of praise underscores the need for believers to acknowledge God's mercies and thank Him for His goodness. Gratitude is not just a response to answered prayers; it is an essential aspect of a healthy relationship with God. It fosters a sense of humility, acknowledges God's sovereignty, and cultivates a heart of contentment.
In conclusion, Isaiah Chapter 38 of the KJV Holy Bible is a rich narrative that explores human mortality, the power of prayer and faith, divine compassion, and the significance of gratitude. It provides a profound exploration of the human condition and God's relationship with man. It encourages believers to face life's adversities with faith, to seek God's intervention through prayer, and to express gratitude for His mercies. It is a testament to the compassionate nature of God and the transformative power of faith.
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