Isaiah 38 is part of the historical section of Isaiah in chapters 36-39 which function as a bridge in the book. Up to this Isaiah has largely been prophetic poetry. This has included warnings to Judah, judgments against the nations, visions of the coming Messiah, promises concerning Jerusalem, and God’s coming Kingdom.
But beginning in Isaiah 36, the book shifts into an historical account. Isaiah 36 and 37 focused on the Assyrian attack. The Assyrian king Sennacherib invaded Judah, conquered fortified cities, and surrounded Jerusalem. His spokesman, the Rabshakeh, mocked the Lord, ridiculed Hezekiah’s faith, and attempted to intimidate God’s people.
But Hezekiah brought the matter before the Lord. Isaiah assured the king that God would defend Jerusalem. And in one night the Angel of the Lord struck the Assyrian army, and Sennacherib returned home in humiliation.
Isaiah 37 demonstrates God’s sovereignty over nations and kings and Isaiah 38 shifts from a national crisis to a personal one. In chapter 37 Hezekiah feared for the life of the nation. In this chapter he fears for his own life. Even the strongest leaders face seasons of weakness and fear of death.
V 1-2 These events preceded the ones described in the previous chapter. They are placed here out of chronological order to point forward to the focus on Babylon in which will unfold in the second half of Isaiah.
After the deliverance of Jerusalem from the threat of Assyrian destruction of Jerusalem, the scene shifts to Hezekiah’s illness. Hezekiah contracts a terminal disease and receives a visit from Isaiah who tells Hezekiah to prepare for his impending death. Rather than passively accepting the word of Isaiah, Hezekiah prays to the LORD.
V 3-8 Hezekiah’s prayer calls God to remember his faithfulness and devotion. Following the narrative describing Hezekiah’s acts in relation to Assyria, such a request seems just, particularly when contrasted to his father Ahaz when God offered him a sign to strengthen his faith in God. Hezekiah’s faith regarding Assyria reflects his character, even though the events here actually took place after his illness and healing.
God is moved by Hezekiah’s prayer and sends a message through Isaiah granting Hezekiah an additional 15 years of life, as well as promising to defend the city of Jerusalem against the Assyrians.
The sign that the Lord said He will gave regarding Hezekiah’s healing and deliverance is in v. 8. The shadow on the steps of Ahaz will move back ten steps. The nature of these steps is not totally clear. The stairway is also mentioned in the parallel narrative of Hezekiah’s illness in 2Kg 20:9-11. Some scholars suggest that the steps functioned as a type of sundial, citing medieval translations that spoke of the “stairs of the sundial”. A similar interpretation is found in the Qumran scrolls translation of Is 38:8, which interprets it “on the dial of the Ahaz roof chamber.”
This makes more sense of the sign offered by the Lord, as well as bringing an element of time in the prophecy, resonating with the 15 years of extended life that Hezekiah will receive.
This miracle involved either reversing the earth’s rotation or deflecting the sun’s rays. In either case, this was a supernatural sign that Hezekiah received and believed, in contrast to Ahaz, who rejected Isaiah’s offer of a supernatural sign (7:11-12).
A possible corroboration of this is found in 2 Chronicles 32:31: “God left him alone only to test him, that He might know all that was in his heart, even the envoys of the rulers of Babylon, who sent to him to inquire of the wonder that had happened in the land.” This suggests that the event attracted international attention, especially from Babylon. Babylonian astronomers were among the most knowledgeable observers of the heavens in the ancient world. The fact that they investigated “the wonder” implies that it was regarded as extraordinary. Whether this has to do with the sign on the steps or the miracle of the defeat of the Assyrians we cannot say with any certainty.
The nature of Hezekiah’s illness is not explained. It may have been some type of infection since a poultice of figs (2 Kg 20:7) was applied to a “boil” (Is 38:21) to attempt to bring healing. However, it was a fatal illness (2Ch 32:24).
In 2 Chron. 32 it is noted that Hezekiah gave no return for the benefit of the miraculous sign and healing. This failure on Hezekiah’s part was attributed to his heart being proud (2 Chron. 32:25). This is seen in the account described in 2 Kings 20:12-19. After Hezekiah’s miraculous recovery, Merodach-baladan, king of Babylon, sent envoys with letters and a gift, ostensibly to congratulate him on his healing. Instead of giving glory to God for his deliverance, Hezekiah welcomed the Babylonian delegation and showed them all his treasures:
“Hezekiah listened to them, and showed them all his treasure house, the silver and the gold and the spices and the precious oil, and his armory and all that was found in his treasuries. There was nothing in his house nor in all his dominion that Hezekiah did not show them” (2 Kings 20:13).
This act revealed a heart that had become self-reliant and impressed with his own wealth, achievements, and status. Rather than testifying to the Lord’s power and faithfulness, Hezekiah appears to seek the admiration and favor of Babylon. It may also suggest that he was beginning to look toward Babylon as a potential political ally rather than trusting fully in the Lord.
Isaiah confronted Hezekiah and announced God’s judgment: the very treasures he had proudly displayed would one day be carried away to Babylon, and some of his descendants would serve in the Babylonian palace (2 Kings 20:16–18).
If God had not healed Hezekiah Manasseh would not have been born. Ironically, Manasseh became Judah’s most wicked king, leading the nation into idolatry and bloodshed (2 Kings 21:2–9).
Yet, Chronicles also notes that Hezekiah repented and confessed the pride of his heart (2Ch 32:26) and led the nation in repentance as well. As a result, the Lord’s wrath was averted, at least in the days of Hezekiah. This demonstrates that even a godly leader can stumble but can also respond to God’s correction with repentance.
This doesn’t mean Hezekiah sinned by asking to live. But Scripture reminds us that only God sees the full implications of our requests. We pray from limited knowledge. God answers from perfect wisdom.
The healing of Hezekiah becomes not just a personal blessing but part of a larger unfolding history that ultimately points to the coming Babylonian exile described in chapter 39.
Sometimes God’s greatest gifts can become tests on how we handle our blessings as much as how we endure in our suffering.
Hezekiah’s prayer is a psalm written after God healed him from his life-threatening illness. It reveals how he went from despair to gratitude and provides insight into a godly response to suffering and deliverance.
V 10-12 Hezekiah begins by lamenting what he saw as an untimely death in v 10: “I said, ‘In the middle of my life I am to enter the gates of Sheol; I am to be deprived of the rest of my years.’”
He viewed his illness as the loss of years he expected to live and serve the Lord. He describes life in v 12 as a shepherd’s tent being pulled up, emphasizing that life is temporary and like a weaver cutting cloth from the loom, illustrating how suddenly life can be ended. His prayer reminds us of the frailty and brevity of life.
V 13-14 Hezekiah recognizes that God is sovereign even over his suffering: “Like a lion—so He breaks all my bones.” This is not a complaint against God’s injustice but an acknowledgment of God’s hand in his affliction. Exhausted and weak, Hezekiah compares himself to a bird in mourning: “Like a swallow, like a crane, so I twitter; I moan like a dove.” In his vulnerability, he pleads: “O Lord, I am oppressed, be my security.” His suffering had stripped his self-reliance and driven him to dependence upon God.
V 15-17 He acknowledges God’s gracious deliverance in been healed. Hezekiah reflects on what God accomplished through the trial: “It is for my own welfare that I had great bitterness” (v 17).
He came to understand that God used affliction for his spiritual good when he declares: “You have kept my soul from the pit of nothingness, For You have cast all my sins behind Your back”.
Hezekiah recognizes that God’s mercy extends beyond physical healing to the forgiveness of sin. His suffering became an occasion for deeper spiritual awareness and renewed appreciation for God’s grace.
V 18–20 He gives thanks that he can praise God because he is Living. He contrasts death with the opportunity to worship: “It is the living who give thanks to You, as I do today” (v 19). He is not denying the future resurrection but a recognition that the living have the privilege and responsibility to publicly praise God and testify to His faithfulness.
He concludes his prayer with “The LORD will surely save me; So we will play my songs on stringed instruments All the days of our life at the house of the LORD” (v 20). His deliverance results in worship, testimony, and a renewed dedication to God’s praise.
Hezekiah entered his trial fearing death, but he emerged with a deeper understanding of God’s grace. His prayer reminds us that even in seasons of bitterness, God is at work accomplishing His good purposes and inviting us to trust Him more fully.
The major theme of Isaiah 38 is that God holds authority over life and death, and that suffering becomes a place where faith, prayer, humility, and testimony are strengthened.
Hezekiah’s prayer and the chapter center on four great truths.
1. Life Is Fragile – Hezekiah was a faithful king. He had witnessed God’s miraculous victory. Yet he suddenly stood face to face with death. This reminds us that our status, accomplishments, and past victories will not shield any of us from death.
Psalm 90 reminds us that our days are numbered. Kings and servants are all dependent on God. This chapter recalls the illusion we are prone to that we are in control of our lives.
2. Prayer Matters Hezekiah’s response to his impending death was not despair alone it was an incentive to pray. This is not prayer as ritual or religious act, or performance but one of desperate dependence.
Prayer does not manipulate God. But Scripture repeatedly shows that God ordains prayer as part of His sovereign purposes. The God who declares the end from the beginning also calls His people to seek Him. Hezekiah’s tears and prayers mattered. Not because God was unaware, but because God delights to respond to those who call on Him.
3. We see God as Both Sovereign and Compassionate Some see God’s sovereignty and compassion as opposites. Isaiah 38 teaches us otherwise, the same God who announced Hezekiah’s death also heard his prayer. God’s sovereignty does not make Him distant. It reveals that His mercy and compassion. And we see He has the power and authority to act.
4. Suffering Can Become a Testimony The final section of the chapter is a song of praise and worship. Hezekiah’s pain is turned into thanksgiving.
God often uses our suffering not just to change our circumstances but to deepen our knowledge of Him. The Lord who delivered Jerusalem in chapter 37 now ministers personally to a suffering king in chapter 38.
One reveals His power over armies. The other reveals His tenderness toward individuals. And both reveal the same God.
