Study notes

Isaiah 38

Introducing IsaiahWho wrote it, when, why, and what to look for as you read

28:1–39:8 Section

More of Isaiah’s messages of judgement and hope are recorded in these chapters. These judgement messages were against the northern kingdom, the southern kingdom and other nations. The main problem was that God’s people didn’t have respect for the Lord. They didn’t worship only God but also worshipped false gods.

God wanted to be their Teacher but they didn’t listen to his teachings. They made fun of God’s rules instead of obeying the Mount Sinai covenant. They wanted peace and rest but didn’t ask God for help when enemies attacked them. Instead they trusted other nations like Egypt to protect them.

Because of all this God would allow the covenant curses to come to his people. He would use other nations to bring his judgement against them. Later he would punish those other nations for being proud. Isaiah urged God’s people to return to the Lord. This meant to turn away from their sin and repent. It meant obeying God and doing what was fair and right. By doing this, God’s people would find peace and rest.

Peace and rest were part of the messages of hope. The messages of hope described a wonderful time in the future. God would be honoured and respected and his people would enjoy the covenant blessings. The Holy Spirit would be poured out on God’s people. That described how close they would be to God. God would be present with them and everyone would see God’s glory and beauty. People’s bodies would be healed and made strong. They would be safe and protected. They would have everything they needed to live well. They would live as wise and holy people who had respect for God.

The story about Assyria attacking Jerusalem is an example of what Isaiah’s prophecies were about. This story is also recorded in 2 Kings chapters 18 to 20 and in 2 Chronicles chapter 32. Assyria was God’s tool for bringing judgement against the southern kingdom. But Assyria’s leaders were proud and made fun of God. King Hezekiah and Jerusalem’s leaders made themselves humble. They cried out to God to save them. God saved them from the Assyrian army. The southern kingdom had peace and rest. But Isaiah’s messages of hope weren’t completely fulfilled at that time. Isaiah announced that one day Babylon would take control of the southern kingdom.

38:1

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).

38:1–9

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.

38:3

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).

38:6

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).

38:10

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).

38:11

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.

38:12

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

38:15

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.

38:16

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

38:21–22

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.

38:22

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

Verse notes: Adapted by Mission Mutual (Aquifer Open Study Notes) from Tyndale Open Study Notes © 2023 Tyndale House Publishers. CC BY-SA 4.0. Section notes: Biblica Study Notes © 2023 Biblica, Inc. CC BY-SA 4.0, via BibleAquifer. About the sources