“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.” Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and PRAYED TO THE LORD, 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. Then the word of the LORD came to Isaiah: “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.” (Isaiah 38:1-5)
Hezekiah was struck with a fatal illness, possibly a malignant skin “ulcer”. The illness was caused by the discord between him and Isaiah, each of whom desired that the other should pay him the first visit. In order to reconcile them, God struck Hezekiah with a malady and ordered Isaiah to visit the sick king. The disease was some ulcerous growth, called “a boil”.
Isaiah had the difficult assignment to inform the king that God had declared that the king would not live. How would you like that assignment? I feel sorry for Isaiah when reading this passage. Within a very short period of time, Isaiah tells the king “The bad news” that he will die and then tells the king “The good news” that he will live another 15 years.
MAKE SURE YOUR HOUSE IS SET IN ORDER
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham