Isaiah 38:1-22

Isaiah: God controls the nations

God defends *Jerusalem

Isaiah Chapter s 31 to 39

Norman Hillyer

Chapter 38

Hezekiah is seriously ill

v1 About that time, Hezekiah became very ill. He believed that he would soon die. The *prophet Isaiah son of Amoz went to him with a message from the *Lord. Isaiah told the king to put his affairs in order. ‘You are going to die. You will not live.’

v2 Hezekiah turned his face towards the wall. And he prayed to the *Lord. v3 Hezekiah wept bitterly as he prayed. ‘*Lord, please remember how I have lived my life truly and honestly. I have always acted in a manner that pleased you.’

v4 Then the *Lord gave Isaiah another message for king Hezekiah. v5 ‘Go back. Tell Hezekiah that I, the *Lord, have heard his prayer. And I have seen his tears. Say to him, “I am the God of David your *ancestor (early relative) who served me. I, the *Lord, declare that I shall let you live another 15 years. v6 The king of Assyria will not be able to *seize either you or this city. And I shall continue to defend the city.” ’

v7 Isaiah said to Hezekiah: ‘Here is the *Lord’s sign that he will carry out his promise. v8 You can see the outside staircase that Ahaz built. And you can see the shadow there as the sun sets. Watch! I shall make the shadow return by ten steps.’ And that is what happened.