Imagine you’ve just been told you’re going to live another fifteen years when you thought you were going to die? I’ve never faced an impending death sentence like King Hezekiah was, but I have had plenty of friends and family members receive news from a doctor that their life was coming to an end sooner than later. I can’t even begin to imagine the emotions one feels in that moment hearing those words. Then moments later to hear you’ve got more time!
“Set your affairs in order, for you are going to die. You will not recover from this illness.” When Hezekiah heard these words from the Lord, he was distraught! Since the message was from God, it is surely true. We see this same historical passage in 2 Kings 20, too. Yet, Hezekiah wasn’t ready to die. He pled with God. “Remember, O Lord, how I have always been faithful to you and have served you single-mindedly, always doing what pleases you.” Isaiah immediately got word from God, before he was even out of the middle courtyard, to go back and tell the king he wouldn’t die after all but live another fifteen years.
Continue reading “Isaiah 38:1-22 – A New Lease on Life”
