Isaiah 38-39 God Save The King Series

Isaiah 38-39

God Save the King!

Hezekiah’s Healing vs. 38:1-8

Hezekiah’s Thanksgiving vs. 38:9-20

Hezekiah’s Showing Off vs. 39:1-8

Intro:

Jonathan Dabney Mission Moment

As we get into chapter 38 we now shift our focus from the Assyrians to the Babylonians

This will become more evident as we look at chapter 39

But chaps. 36–39 are not in chronological order, for 38:6 refers to God’s future plan to defend Jerusalem from Sennacherib’s attack; thus, it is evident that the narrative reports in chaps. 38 and 39 occurred before the events described in chaps. 36–37.

Since the Assyrians removed the Babylonian king Merodach-baladan from power in 703 BC, this Babylonian king’s trip to Jerusalem to arrange an alliance with Hezekiah must have happened sometime in 703–704 BC.

This means that Hezekiah’s sickness (chap. 38) happened in the preceding year.

The reason that is done is to make the transition from the Assyrians to the babylonians

In the midst of God doing the amazing healing in Hezekiah’s life the babylonians come

Hezekiah let’s his guard down and because of that doesn’t finish well

Read Isaiah 38:1-5

Transition:

Today we see Hezekiah sick to the point of death

And much like a doctor, Isaiah comes and tell him to get his things in order

In an amazing act of grace God grants Hezekiah 15 more years

The danger would be at this point is for us as Christians to try and make a formula out this

If I get on my bed, turn toward the wall, and cry really hard I will be healed

Unfortunately, as we see so many times in the NT, God doesn’t work according to a formula

If you look at every blind person Jesus healed he did it different each time

In fact that is what got Moses in trouble

God said speak to the rock but Moses hit it with his staff

Moses tried to use an old formula to get a new result

We need to seek God and follow his new path

God allowed this sickness but used it for His glory

Hezkeiah’s Healing vs. 38:1-8

Vs. 1-3 Hezekiah’s prayer

Was sick and near death: We are not told how Hezekiah became sick.

It may have been through something obvious to all, or it may have been through something known only to God.

However Hezekiah became sick, it was certainly permitted by the LORD.

Sickness and diseases are nondiscriminate they affect the good and the wicked

Hezekiah was a godly king but became so sick he was at the point of death

The whole country of Judah knows and they are all worried

It’s so bad that Isaiah comes to deliver the bad news

Most people believe that he is 39 years old at this point

Set your house in order, for you shall die and not live:

God was remarkably kind to Hezekiah, telling him that his death was near.

Not all people are given the time to set your house in order.

Although being given a death sentence is brutal, knowing it in advance and making arrangements is and act of Grace by God

Hezekiah turned his face toward the wall:

This shows how earnest Hezekiah was in his prayer.

He directed his prayer in privacy to God, and not to any man.

While getting prayers from other is important, that time between you and God is essential

With his fave to the wall there was no one between him and God

Remember now, O LORD:

To our ears, Hezekiah’s prayer might almost sound ungodly.

In it, his focus is on self-justification and his own merits.

It is pretty much as if Hezekiah prayed, “LORD, I’ve been such a good boy and You aren’t being fair to me. Remember what a good boy I’ve been and rescue me.”

But under the Old Covenant, this was a valid principle on which to approach God.

Passages like Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 28 show that under the Old Covenant, blesssing and cursing was sent by God on the basis of obedience or disobedience.

On that principle, David could write in Psalm 15:

Psalm 15:1-2 LORD, who may abide in Your tabernacle? Who may dwell in Your holy hill? He who walks uprightly, and works righteousness, and speaks the truth in his heart.

But under the New Covenant, we are blessed on the principle of faith in Jesus

Galatians 3:13-14 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”— 14 so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.

Hezekiah’s principle of prayer isn’t fitting for a Christian today.

Vs. 4-8 God’s answer

I have heard your prayers; I have seen your tears