Tyndale Open Study NotesIsaiah 38

The story of Hezekiah’s healing connects two events. It links the extension of Hezekiah’s life with Jerusalem’s rescue from the Assyrians.

These events happened before Jerusalem was saved. However, the book places them in this order because of their theme, not their time sequence. One main theme is the power of prayer (see Isaiah 37:14–20; 38:2–3). The Lord truly listens.

Hezekiah learned to trust God. His father, Ahaz, had refused to trust the Lord. Because Hezekiah trusted God, Judah and Jerusalem were spared complete destruction by the Assyrians.

Still, Hezekiah was not the promised Messiah, the Son of David (Isaiah 7:14; 9:1–7; 11:1–16; 16:5; 32:1; 33:17–22). He was a faithful king, but he was also human and would die. His failures and his sickness (chapters 38–39) prepare the reader for the coming of the true Messiah described in chapters 40–66.

In those days: This is a very general time statement. Hezekiah’s illness and healing likely happened before Jerusalem’s rescue (Isaiah 36–37), even though Isaiah mentions it afterward. Merodach-baladan’s rule in Babylon (Isaiah 39:1) ended before Sennacherib’s invasion in 701 BC. The text order suggests a link between these events (see Isaiah 38:6).

I have walked before You faithfully: Hezekiah’s heart (his inner attitude and will) was right with the Lord for most of his reign (2 Kings 18:1–5). However, Hezekiah showed weakness when he relied on Egypt and did not act faithfully (Isaiah 31:1–9).

the God of your father David: Hezekiah followed David's example with faithfulness (see Isaiah 37:35; 38:1–22).

I will deliver you … I will defend this city: This promise refers to saving Jerusalem (Isaiah 36–37). It also helps us understand Hezekiah’s illness and recovery. Just as Hezekiah gained 15 more years, Jerusalem also received a temporary relief (see Isaiah 39).

Hezekiah’s poem includes both lament (Isaiah 38:9–14) and praise (38:15–20). The praise remains restrained until the final verse.

go through the gates of Sheol: This image comes from an ancient belief that people enter death through gates (see Isaiah 14:9). Old Testament believers did not understand the afterlife as the New Testament describes it. They saw it as a shadowy place where all the dead gathered, and where no one praised God (see Isaiah 38:18; Psalms 88:10; 115:17).

Hezekiah was very sad when he thought he might die. He believed that death would separate him from fellowship with God. He also feared losing time with his family and friends.

These images show how short human life is (compare 2 Corinthians 5:1). They remind us that life on earth does not last long.

I will walk slowly: Hezekiah might have once taken his life and health for granted. Now he understood that God could take these gifts away at any time.

God’s restoration of Hezekiah’s health also symbolized the restoration from exile that Judah would experience in the future.

Hezekiah received a sign from the Lord. This sign reminds us of another sign that the prophet had offered to Ahaz (Isaiah 7:11).

Ahaz and Hezekiah stand at the two ends of a long story in Judah’s history. Ahaz represents the ungodly king. Hezekiah represents the godly king.

Ahaz brought disaster on his people through his choices. Hezekiah, in contrast, brought deliverance to his people. However, Isaiah 39 shows that even Hezekiah’s story includes warning and future trouble.

Hezekiah could not visit the temple with an infection (see Leviticus 13). So, going to the temple means he is healthy again.