Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD, Then HezekiahThe name "Hezekiah" means "Yahweh strengthens" in Hebrew, which is fitting given his reliance on God during his reign. Hezekiah was a king of Judah known for his faithfulness to God, as recorded in 2 Kings, 2 Chronicles, and Isaiah. His life exemplifies the importance of seeking divine strength and guidance, especially in times of crisis. turned his face to the wall
This phrase signifies a personal and intimate moment of prayer. In ancient Near Eastern culture, turning one's face to the wall could indicate a desire for privacy and focus, shutting out distractions to commune with God. It symbolizes Hezekiah's earnestness and desperation, as he seeks God's intervention in his dire situation. This act of turning away from the world to focus solely on God is a powerful reminder of the need for undistracted devotion in prayer. and prayed
The Hebrew word for "prayed" is "palal," which means to intercede or make supplication. Prayer is a central theme in the life of Hezekiah, reflecting his dependence on God. This act of prayer demonstrates the king's faith and trust in God's power to change circumstances. It serves as an encouragement for believers to approach God with their needs, trusting in His ability to respond. to the LORD
The term "LORD" in all capital letters represents the divine name "Yahweh," the covenant name of God revealed to Moses. It emphasizes God's eternal, self-existent nature and His faithfulness to His promises. Hezekiah's prayer to Yahweh underscores his recognition of God's sovereignty and his reliance on the covenant relationship between God and His people. This highlights the importance of approaching God with reverence and trust in His covenantal faithfulness. Persons / Places / Events 1. HezekiahThe king of Judah, known for his faithfulness to God and his efforts to restore proper worship in the temple. He is the central figure in this passage, demonstrating a personal and earnest prayer life. 2. The WallRepresents a private and intimate setting where Hezekiah turns away from distractions to focus solely on God in prayer. This act signifies a deep, personal plea to the Lord. 3. The LORDThe covenant name of God, Yahweh, to whom Hezekiah directs his prayer. This highlights the personal relationship between Hezekiah and God. 4. Isaiah the ProphetAlthough not mentioned in this specific verse, Isaiah plays a crucial role in the surrounding account as the messenger of God's word to Hezekiah. 5. JerusalemThe city where these events take place, serving as the political and spiritual center of Judah during Hezekiah's reign. Teaching Points The Power of Personal PrayerHezekiah's act of turning to the wall signifies a moment of personal and undistracted communication with God. Believers are encouraged to find their own "wall" or quiet place to seek God earnestly. Faith in Times of CrisisHezekiah's immediate response to his dire situation was to pray. This teaches us to turn to God first in our times of need, trusting in His power and sovereignty. God's Response to Sincere PrayerThe account shows that God hears and responds to sincere prayers. This encourages believers to pray with faith and expectancy. The Importance of a Relationship with GodHezekiah's prayer life reflects a deep relationship with God, reminding us of the importance of cultivating a personal and ongoing relationship with the Lord. Seeking God's WillWhile Hezekiah prayed for healing, his ultimate trust was in God's will. This teaches us to submit our desires to God's greater plan. Bible Study Questions 1. What does Hezekiah's action of turning his face to the wall teach us about the nature of personal prayer? 2. How can we apply Hezekiah's example of faith in times of crisis to our own lives today? 3. In what ways does Hezekiah's prayer reflect a deep relationship with God, and how can we cultivate a similar relationship? 4. How does the account of Hezekiah's prayer and God's response encourage us to pray with faith and expectancy? 5. What other biblical examples of prayer can we find that demonstrate God's faithfulness in responding to His people's cries? How do these examples inspire our own prayer life? Connections to Other Scriptures 2 Kings 20:1-11Provides a parallel account of Hezekiah's illness and prayer, offering additional details about the events and God's response. James 5:16Highlights the power of a righteous person's prayer, which is exemplified by Hezekiah's earnest prayer and God's subsequent healing. Psalm 102:17Speaks of God hearing the prayer of the destitute, which aligns with Hezekiah's desperate plea for healing. Philippians 4:6-7Encourages believers to present their requests to God with thanksgiving, promising peace, similar to Hezekiah's approach in prayer. People Ahaz, Amoz, David, Hezekiah, IsaiahPlaces AssyriaTopics Face, Hezekiah, Hezeki'ah, Prayed, Prayer, Prayeth, Round, Saying, Towards, Turneth, Turning, WallDictionary of Bible Themes Isaiah 38:2 5604 walls Isaiah 38:1-2 5831 depression Isaiah 38:1-5 1120 God, repentance of
5298 doctors Isaiah 38:1-6 8614 prayer, answers Isaiah 38:1-8 5333 healing Isaiah 38:1-10 8610 prayer, asking God Isaiah 38:2-3 5945 self-pity
5952 sorrow
8653 importunity, to God Library The Life of the Spirit
(First Sunday after Christmas.) Isaiah xxxviii. 16. O Lord, by these things men live, and in all these things is the life of my spirit. These words are the words of Hezekiah, king of Judah; and they are true words, words from God. But, if they are true words, they are true words for every one--for you and me, for every one here in this church this day: for they do not say, By these things certain men live, one man here and another man there; but all men. Whosoever is really alive, that is, has …
Charles Kingsley—Town and Country SermonsNo Man Cometh to the Father but by Me.
This being added for further confirmation of what was formerly said, will point out unto us several necessary truths, as, I. That it is most necessary to be sound and clear in this fundamental point of coming to God only in and through Christ. For, 1. It is the whole marrow of the gospel. 2. It is the hinge of our salvation, Christ is "the chief corner stone," Isa. xxxviii. 16. 1 Pet. i. 5, 6; and, 3. The only ground of all our solid and true peace and comfort. 4 An error or a mistake here, is most …
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life Epistle ii. To Anastasius, Bishop of Antioch.
To Anastasius, Bishop of Antioch. Gregory to Anastasius, Patriarch of Antioch. I have received the letters of your most sweet Blessedness, which flowed with tears for words. For I saw in them a cloud flying aloft as clouds do; but, though it carried with it a darkness of sorrow, I could not easily discover at its commencement whence it came or whither it was going, since by reason of the darkness I speak of I did not fully understand its origin. Yet it becomes you, most holy ones, ever to recall …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great Sign Seekers, and the Enthusiast Reproved.
(Galilee on the Same Day as the Last Section.) ^A Matt. XII. 38-45; ^C Luke XI. 24-36. ^c 29 And when the multitudes were gathering together unto him, ^a 38 Then certain of the scribes and Pharisees answered him, saying, Teacher, we would see a sign from thee. [Having been severely rebuked by Jesus, it is likely that the scribes and Pharisees asked for a sign that they might appear to the multitude more fair-minded and open to conviction than Jesus had represented them to be. Jesus had just wrought …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Letter Xliv Concerning the Maccabees but to whom Written is Unknown.
Concerning the Maccabees But to Whom Written is Unknown. [69] He relies to the question why the Church has decreed a festival to the Maccabees alone of all the righteous under the ancient law. 1. Fulk, Abbot of Epernay, had already written to ask me the same question as your charity has addressed to your humble servant by Brother Hescelin. I have put off replying to him, being desirous to find, if possible, some statement in the Fathers about this which was asked, which I might send to him, rather …
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners:
A BRIEF AND FAITHFUL RELATION OF THE EXCEEDING MERCY OF GOD IN CHRIST TO HIS POOR SERVANT, JOHN BUNYAN; WHEREIN IS PARTICULARLY SHOWED THE MANNER OF HIS CONVERSION, HIS SIGHT AND TROUBLE FOR SIN, HIS DREADFUL TEMPTATIONS, ALSO HOW HE DESPAIRED OF GOD'S MERCY, AND HOW THE LORD AT LENGTH THROUGH CHRIST DID DELIVER HIM FROM ALL THE GUILT AND TERROR THAT LAY UPON HIM. Whereunto is added a brief relation of his call to the work of the ministry, of his temptations therein, as also what he hath met with …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 Meditations for the Sick.
Whilst thy sickness remains, use often, for thy comfort, these few meditations, taken from the ends wherefore God sendeth afflictions to his children. Those are ten. 1. That by afflictions God may not only correct our sins past, but also work in us a deeper loathing of our natural corruptions, and so prevent us from falling into many other sins, which otherwise we would commit; like a good father, who suffers his tender babe to scorch his finger in a candle, that he may the rather learn to beware …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety Assurance
Q-xxxvi: WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS WHICH FLOW FROM SANCTIFICATION? A: Assurance of God's love, peace of conscience, joy in the Holy Ghost, increase of grace, and perseverance therein to the end. The first benefit flowing from sanctification is assurance of God's love. 'Give diligence to make your calling and election sure.' 2 Pet 1:10. Sanctification is the seed, assurance is the flower which grows out of it: assurance is a consequent of sanctification. The saints of old had it. We know that we know …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity The Power of God
The next attribute is God's power. Job 9:19. If I speak of strength, lo, he is strong.' In this chapter is a magnificent description of God's power. Lo, he is strong.' The Hebrew word for strong signifies a conquering, prevailing strength. He is strong.' The superlative degree is intended here; viz., He is most strong. He is called El-shaddai, God almighty. Gen 17:7. His almightiness lies in this, that he can do whatever is feasible. Divines distinguish between authority and power. God has both. …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity I Will Pray with the Spirit and with the Understanding Also-
OR, A DISCOURSE TOUCHING PRAYER; WHEREIN IS BRIEFLY DISCOVERED, 1. WHAT PRAYER IS. 2. WHAT IT IS TO PRAY WITH THE SPIRIT. 3. WHAT IT IS TO PRAY WITH THE SPIRIT AND WITH THE UNDERSTANDING ALSO. WRITTEN IN PRISON, 1662. PUBLISHED, 1663. "For we know not what we should pray for as we ought:--the Spirit--helpeth our infirmities" (Rom 8:26). ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. There is no subject of more solemn importance to human happiness than prayer. It is the only medium of intercourse with heaven. "It is …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 Isaiah
CHAPTERS I-XXXIX Isaiah is the most regal of the prophets. His words and thoughts are those of a man whose eyes had seen the King, vi. 5. The times in which he lived were big with political problems, which he met as a statesman who saw the large meaning of events, and as a prophet who read a divine purpose in history. Unlike his younger contemporary Micah, he was, in all probability, an aristocrat; and during his long ministry (740-701 B.C., possibly, but not probably later) he bore testimony, as …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Isaiah 38:2 NIVIsaiah 38:2 NLTIsaiah 38:2 ESVIsaiah 38:2 NASBIsaiah 38:2 KJV
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