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Listen "Isaiah 38-39"
Episode Synopsis
This is the third and final part of Hezekiah’s story. Make sure to listen to chapters 36 and 37 before listening to this episode.
Sickness and sign
A sickness, a sign, a song, and a simple mistake. This is Hezekiah’s last test - death. Will he trust or doubt God? Hezekiah wept bitterly realising his time was up. This was not at the end of his life, but in his prime. It also seems to be happening while the king of Assyria is knocking on his door. Isaiah returns saying God will show mercy and heal him.
Later we realise it is a medicinal remedy that Isaiah gives him. Now Hezekiah is given a sign like Ahaz was given a sign - but the son is trusting and listens to God. Maybe symbolically the sun going back is like saying that Hezekiah’s choice are rewriting the history of his father’s sins.
Application
We are not determined by our ancestry. God calls us no matter where we come from or what we done.
A song
Hezekiah writes a song after his healing highlighting the importance of life. He feels life is being robbed from him. Life moves so quickly and we live constantly in anticipation looking to the next thing, before we know it, it’s all over. Hezekiah discovers the blessing of more life and embraces it. He wants to give those years to God. Every day of his life will be spent praising God in the temple. He makes a point here of showing how death is not an advantage. Death is an absence of consciousness. The dead don’t praise. Only the living praise.
Application
we must make the most of the life we live now. We can see how Hezekiah heard Isaiah’s message and responded in faith. How will you respond?
A simple and silly mistake
Then we have a conclusion to the story that anticipates a bigger threat than Assyria. Babylon. Perhaps, God is looking forward to the next generations. Wanting them to have faithful trust in God. Yet, the same mistakes come to all people.
Hezekiah naively shows them everything in the temple treasury thinking they are from a distant land. It seems not a big deal to him. Even Hezekiah plays it down. But it is silly move. Maybe it is slightly bordering on pride. Isaiah warns this will be the nation that will eventually destroy Jerusalem. Hezekiah only saw his present situation - and he didn’t (like Isaiah) look at God’s bigger plan.
Application
Hezekiah was a great king, but he was not the KING. This theme will carry us into the final 27 chapters of Isaiah. From here on out it is a book of encouragement and hope. It sees a people broken and falling apart but also a Saviour come to comfort them.
Sickness and sign
A sickness, a sign, a song, and a simple mistake. This is Hezekiah’s last test - death. Will he trust or doubt God? Hezekiah wept bitterly realising his time was up. This was not at the end of his life, but in his prime. It also seems to be happening while the king of Assyria is knocking on his door. Isaiah returns saying God will show mercy and heal him.
Later we realise it is a medicinal remedy that Isaiah gives him. Now Hezekiah is given a sign like Ahaz was given a sign - but the son is trusting and listens to God. Maybe symbolically the sun going back is like saying that Hezekiah’s choice are rewriting the history of his father’s sins.
Application
We are not determined by our ancestry. God calls us no matter where we come from or what we done.
A song
Hezekiah writes a song after his healing highlighting the importance of life. He feels life is being robbed from him. Life moves so quickly and we live constantly in anticipation looking to the next thing, before we know it, it’s all over. Hezekiah discovers the blessing of more life and embraces it. He wants to give those years to God. Every day of his life will be spent praising God in the temple. He makes a point here of showing how death is not an advantage. Death is an absence of consciousness. The dead don’t praise. Only the living praise.
Application
we must make the most of the life we live now. We can see how Hezekiah heard Isaiah’s message and responded in faith. How will you respond?
A simple and silly mistake
Then we have a conclusion to the story that anticipates a bigger threat than Assyria. Babylon. Perhaps, God is looking forward to the next generations. Wanting them to have faithful trust in God. Yet, the same mistakes come to all people.
Hezekiah naively shows them everything in the temple treasury thinking they are from a distant land. It seems not a big deal to him. Even Hezekiah plays it down. But it is silly move. Maybe it is slightly bordering on pride. Isaiah warns this will be the nation that will eventually destroy Jerusalem. Hezekiah only saw his present situation - and he didn’t (like Isaiah) look at God’s bigger plan.
Application
Hezekiah was a great king, but he was not the KING. This theme will carry us into the final 27 chapters of Isaiah. From here on out it is a book of encouragement and hope. It sees a people broken and falling apart but also a Saviour come to comfort them.
In God we trust