Our Most Limited Resource (Isaiah 38-39)
Imagine for a moment that you are told you have only a short time to live. The houses and walls you’ve built, the comforts you’ve gathered, and the plans you’ve made suddenly seem insignificant. This is not just a hypothetical scenario—it was the reality for King Hezekiah, a faithful man of God who faced the ultimate test of his life and faith.
In Isaiah chapters 38 and 39, we encounter a dramatic narrative that swings from the despair of death’s door to the folly of human pride. It is a story that not only explores the fragility of life but also challenges us on how we respond to God’s interventions and blessings. But it’s also a story about God’s power and love for those who love him.
The Crisis of Mortality (Isaiah 38:1-8)
Isaiah 38:1 (ESV) — 1 In those days Hezekiah became sick and was at the point of death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came to him, and said to him, “Thus says the Lord: Set your house in order, for you shall die, you shall not recover.”
Imagine the shock, the sheer immediacy of mortality staring you in the face. Here is Hezekiah, a king who had walked righteously before God, now faced with the ultimate deadline. The end seemed certain, the divine verdict declared.
Isaiah 38:2–3 (ESV) — 2 Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord, 3 and said, “Please, O Lord, remember how I have walked before you in faithfulness and with a whole heart, and have done what is good in your sight.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly.
But what does Hezekiah do? He turns his face to the wall and prays to the Lord. In his prayer, there is no resignation but a pouring out of his soul. He reminds God of his faithful walk and his wholehearted devotion. He weeps bitterly—not just out of fear of death but from a heart that yearned for more time to fulfill God's purpose. This is a moment of profound vulnerability, where the king of a nation is no different from any one of us when faced with the finality of life.
Isaiah 38:4–8 (ESV) — 4 Then the word of the Lord came to Isaiah: 5 “Go and say to Hezekiah, Thus says the Lord, the God of David your father: I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Behold, I will add fifteen years to your life. 6 I will deliver you and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria, and will defend this city. 7 “This shall be the sign to you from the Lord, that the Lord will do this thing that he has promised: 8 Behold, I will make the shadow cast by the declining sun on the dial of Ahaz turn back ten steps.” So the sun turned back on the dial the ten steps by which it had declined.
And how does God respond? He sends Isaiah back to Hezekiah with a new message: "I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; behold, I will add fifteen years to your life." What a turnaround! This is not just a physical healing; it is a testament to the power of prayer and the responsiveness of our God. It reminds us that God is not distant or disinterested; He is deeply moved by the pleas of His people.
Here lies our first lesson and our first call to action. Like Hezekiah, each of us will face moments of crisis, times when our mortality or the fragility of our lives becomes painfully clear. How will we respond? Will we turn to God with the same earnestness and vulnerability?
I challenge you today to prepare for these moments not out of fear but with faith. Develop a personal crisis-response plan. Start by crafting a personal prayer guide—scriptures that you can turn to, prayers that articulate your dependence on God’s sovereignty. Let this guide be a living document that grows as you walk with God, a tool that you reach for in times of crisis to remind you of who God is and who you are under His care.
In this story of Hezekiah, we see that our God listens, He cares, and He acts. Let us not shy away from presenting our fears, our hopes, and our needs to Him. Let us be a people who pray boldly, trusting in the power of God to transform our direst predicaments into testimonies of His faithfulness and love.
Turning Points – From Despair to Dedication (Isaiah 38:9-20)
As we return to the story of Hezekiah, we find him not only restored in health but profoundly changed in spirit. Hezekiah, upon his recovery, composes a poem—a song of deliverance that encapsulates his journey from the shadow of death back to the light of life. This poem is more than just an expression of relief; it is a declaration of transformation and an acknowledgment of God's saving grace.
Isaiah 38:9–14 (ESV) — 9 A writing of Hezekiah king of Judah, after he had been sick and had recovered from his sickness: 10 I said, In the middle of my days I must depart; I am consigned to the gates of Sheol for the rest of my years. 11 I said, I shall not see the Lord, the Lord in the land of the living; I shall look on man no more among the inhabitants of the world. 12 My dwelling is plucked up and removed from me like a shepherd’s tent; like a weaver I have rolled up my life; he cuts me off from the loom; from day to night you bring me to an end; 13 I calmed myself until morning; like a lion he breaks all my bones; from day to night you bring me to an end. 14 Like a swallow or a crane I chirp; I moan like a dove. My eyes are weary with looking upward. O Lord, I am oppressed; be my pledge of safety!
In verses 10-14, Hezekiah recounts his feelings of despair when he believed his end was near. He speaks of being deprived of the remainder of his years, likening his fragile state to a shepherd's tent cut off and removed from sight. Yet, even in these moments of darkness, his faith does not falter. He turns to God, pleading for mercy and restoration.
Isaiah 38:15–20 (ESV) — 15 What shall I say? For he has spoken to me, and he himself has done it. I walk slowly all my years because of the bitterness of my soul. 16 O Lord, by these things men live, and in all these is the life of my spirit. Oh restore me to health and make me live! 17 Behold, it was for my welfare that I had great bitterness; but in love you have delivered my life from the pit of destruction, for you have cast all my sins behind your back. 18 For Sheol does not thank you; death does not praise you; those who go down to the pit do not hope for your faithfulness. 19 The living, the living, he thanks you, as I do this day; the father makes known to the children your faithfulness. 20 The Lord will save me, and we will play my music on stringed instruments all the days of our lives, at the house of the Lord.
But the heart of Hezekiah’s song—and our focus today—lies in verses 15-20, where his tone shifts dramatically. He says, "What shall I say? He has spoken to me, and he himself has done it. I walk slowly all my years because of the bitterness of my soul." Here, Hezekiah acknowledges that every breath he takes is a gift from God. He vows to walk humbly, recognizing that his extended life is an opportunity to serve and glorify God more deeply.
Hezekiah’s reflection brings us to a pivotal application for our lives. Like him, we often encounter our own "turning points" where despair can turn to dedication if we allow God's transformative power to work within us. It is in our darkest moments that our faith is refined, our character is tested, and our true purpose can be revealed.
Action Step: This week, I encourage each of you to initiate a time of weekly reflection. Consider the challenges you've faced recently—perhaps a personal loss, a professional setback, or a health scare. Reflect on how these situations have impacted your relationship with God. Have they drawn you closer to Him, or have you felt distanced? Use these reflections to deepen your understanding of God’s role in your life and to renew your commitment to living purposefully for Him.
In closing this part of our sermon, let us remember that our response to life’s turning points can lead us to a deeper, more meaningful relationship with God. Like Hezekiah, let us use our experiences, both bitter and sweet, as catalysts for spiritual growth and greater dedication to God’s call in our lives.
Lessons in Legacy – The Fallout of Pride (Isaiah 39)
In the final act of the story of Hezekiah, we witness a scene that starkly contrasts the humility Hezekiah displayed during his illness. Now recovered and feeling secure, Hezekiah receives visitors from Babylon, envoys who have heard of his illness and the miraculous sign that accompanied his recovery. Flattered by their attention and perhaps eager to display his blessings, Hezekiah shows them all the treasures of his palace.
Isaiah 39:1–2 (ESV) — 1 At that time Merodach-baladan the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent envoys with letters and a present to Hezekiah, for he heard that he had been sick and had recovered. 2 And Hezekiah welcomed them gladly. And he showed them his treasure house, the silver, the gold, the spices, the precious oil, his whole armory, all that was found in his storehouses. There was nothing in his house or in all his realm that Hezekiah did not show them.
Who wouldn’t do that? Most of us, if not all of us want to talk about themselves. I wonder what his attitude was as he was showing them all this. Was he talking to them about how God had provided them, or was he just showing off and bragging?
Isaiah 39:3–7 (ESV) — 3 Then Isaiah the prophet came to King Hezekiah, and said to him, “What did these men say? And from where did they come to you?” Hezekiah said, “They have come to me from a far country, from Babylon.” 4 He said, “What have they seen in your house?” Hezekiah answered, “They have seen all that is in my house. There is nothing in my storehouses that I did not show them.” 5 Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, “Hear the word of the Lord of hosts: 6 Behold, the days are coming, when all that is in your house, and that which your fathers have stored up till this day, shall be carried to Babylon. Nothing shall be left, says the Lord. 7 And some of your own sons, who will come from you, whom you will father, shall be taken away, and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.”
This prideful display, this moment of boasting, would cost him dearly. The prophet Isaiah confronts Hezekiah with a hard question and a harder prophecy. He asks, “What have they seen?” and tells him “All that is in your house, and that which your fathers have stored up till this day, shall be carried to Babylon. Nothing shall be left, says the Lord." This prophecy is not just about loss; it is about the consequences of our actions echoing into the future, affecting generations to come.
From this part of Hezekiah’s story, we derive a crucial lesson about the dangers of pride and the importance of considering the legacy we are building. How often do we, like Hezekiah, take pride in our possessions, our achievements, or even our spiritual blessings? How often do we use God’s gifts as a means to impress others rather than to serve them? The time we have here and what we do with it can have an impact on future generations.
Application: This calls us to reflect deeply on the legacy we wish to leave. Are our actions driven by humility and a desire to glorify God, or are we motivated by pride and the desire for human approval? The legacy we build should be one that points back to God, not to ourselves.
Action Step: This week, identify one area in your life where you can exercise more humility. Perhaps you can serve anonymously in a community program, or maybe you can step back to let others lead in a project at work or in a church activity. Commit to this change, not just as a one-time act, but as a starting point to cultivate a humble heart that glorifies God.
As we close this part of our sermon, let us remember that our true legacy is not what we leave for people to see, but what we leave in people to remember. Let’s choose to leave a legacy of faith, humility, and godly character. Just as Isaiah’s words to Hezekiah remind us, the actions we take today resonate far beyond our own lives.
Conclusion
Hezekiah's journey through near-death and subsequent recovery encapsulates a profound spiritual lesson about grace and human pride, providing a mirror for our own lives. At first, facing imminent death, Hezekiah turns to God in utter dependency, a reminder that our most genuine prayers and moments of closeness with God often come when we're at our most vulnerable. This experience should urge us to reflect on how we approach God daily—are we as fervent and sincere in our good days as in our times of desperation?
However, Hezekiah's narrative doesn't end with his recovery; it's complicated by his subsequent actions when he displays all his wealth to the Babylonian envoys. This shift—from divine dependence to human pride—serves as a stark warning for us. It's easy to lean on God during crises but much harder to maintain that humility when the crisis passes. Our blessings, be they success, wealth, or even wisdom, can become stumbling blocks if we begin to see them as our own achievements rather than gifts from God.
The deeper application for us is two-fold. First, we must continually recognize every day of health, every success, and every moment of joy as a direct gift from God, not just the results of our endeavors. Reflecting on how we credit our successes can reveal much about our spiritual state. Do we flaunt our blessings as Hezekiah did, or do we use them to further God’s kingdom quietly and humbly?
Second, the implications of our actions, like Hezekiah’s, extend beyond our immediate circumstances. His pride did not just threaten his spiritual state but forecasted a dire future for his descendants. This should compel us to consider how our actions today—how we handle our resources, how we treat our successes—might impact others around us and even future generations. Are we setting an example of humility and stewardship, or are we inadvertently teaching pride and self-reliance?
In conclusion, Hezekiah's experience with his near-death illness and subsequent recovery invites us to a continuous and holistic examination of our spiritual lives. It challenges us to live in a state of constant gratitude and humility, recognizing God's sovereignty in every circumstance, and considering the long-term impact of our everyday actions. As we reflect on this story, let us commit to a life that glorifies God not only in our needs but also in our abundance.