Isaiah 38

Isaiah 38:1

This chapter proceeds with the history of Hezekiah: Here is, 1. His sickness, and the fortunes of death be received, ver. 1. 2. His prayer in his sickness, ver. 2. 3. The answer of peace which God gave to that prayer, and the sign given to confirm his faith, ver. 4—8. And this one read and explained before, 2 Kings xx. 1. Or. But, 4. Here is Hezekiah’s thanksgiving for his recovery, an using the means prescribed, ver. 9—22, which was not mentioned before, and contains much previous matter for the encouragement of our faith and hope at all times, and in sickness particularly.

1. ¶ In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death: and Isaiah the people the son of Amos came unto him, and said unto him, Thus faith the LORD, Set thine house in order: for thou shalt die, and not live. 2. Then Hezekiah turned his face unto 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 fore. 4. ¶ Then came the word of the LORD to Isaiah, saying, 5. Go, and say to Hezekiah, Thus faith 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 Affyria: 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 Ahas ten degrees backward. So the sun returned ten degrees, by which degrees it was gone down.

To what hath been observed before on these words, we may add,

1. That since death is the common lot, it is our duty, before it approaches, to provide for it, both by a settlement of all our worldly concerns, that they may not at that time occupy our thoughts; and more especially by such a daily dying to the world and sin, as may make the day of our removal neither unexpected nor unacceptable.

2. In every situation, sick, afflicted, or tempted, prayer is the great relief. It is the heart’s ease to unborn ourselves to God.

3. It will be a comfort in every calamity, and a joy in the hour of death, to have our conscience bear us witness in the Holy Ghost, that in simplicity and godly sincerity we have had our conversation in the world.

4. God regards every star which falls from the eye of his mourners, and will give them quickly the garments of praise for the spirit of heaviness.

5. The prosperity promised to Zion, v. 6. was better to Hezekiah than the restoration of his health; as the welfare of the church, and the interests of the Redeemer’s kingdom, are ever dearer to the faithful, than any other concern merely relative to themselves.

6. One miracle served to confirm Hezekiah’s faith; we have seen the glorious Redeemer work innumerable, and shall we distrust him?

7. ¶ The Babam Christ 14a.

a Pl. xxxii. a. de chi. 1. de creii. p. a Job vii. 6. a Ov. from the thrum. c. Cor. 10. 3b.