Isaiah 38:22 Study Bible: Hezekiah also had said, "What is the sign that I will go up to the house of the LORD?"

◄ Isaiah 38:22 ►

And Hezekiah had asked, "What will be the sign that I will go up to the house of the LORD?"

And Hezekiah had asked
The phrase begins with King Hezekiah, a significant figure in the history of Judah, known for his faithfulness to God. The Hebrew root for "asked" is "שָׁאַל" (sha'al), which implies a seeking or inquiring with earnestness. Hezekiah's inquiry reflects a deep desire for assurance and understanding of God's will. In the context of his illness and subsequent healing, this request underscores his reliance on divine confirmation, a common practice in the Old Testament where signs often accompanied God's promises.

What will be the sign
The word "sign" in Hebrew is "אוֹת" (oth), which denotes a mark or a miraculous indication. In biblical history, signs were often used by God to confirm His word or promise, as seen with Gideon's fleece or the rainbow with Noah. Hezekiah's request for a sign is not out of disbelief but a desire for tangible assurance of God's promise, reflecting a faith that seeks understanding and confirmation.

that I will go up
The phrase "go up" is significant in the Hebrew context, often used to describe ascending to a place of worship or significance. The Hebrew verb "עָלָה" (alah) conveys not just physical movement but a spiritual ascent, indicating a return to normalcy and worship. For Hezekiah, going up to the house of the LORD symbolizes restoration and the continuation of his role as king and worshiper.

to the house of the LORD?
The "house of the LORD" refers to the temple in Jerusalem, the central place of worship for the Israelites. In Hebrew, "בֵּית יְהוָה" (Beit Yahweh) signifies not just a physical structure but the dwelling place of God's presence among His people. For Hezekiah, returning to the temple was a sign of restored health and divine favor, allowing him to fulfill his duties and worship God in the community of believers. This reflects the importance of communal worship and the temple's role as a focal point of faith and national identity in ancient Israel.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Hezekiah
The king of Judah who fell ill and was granted an extension of life by God. His faith and prayer are central to this chapter.

2. Isaiah
The prophet who delivered God's message to Hezekiah, including the promise of healing and a sign from God.

3. Jerusalem
The city where Hezekiah reigned and where the events of this chapter took place.

4. The Temple of the LORD
The place Hezekiah desired to visit as a sign of his healing and restoration.

5. The Sundial of Ahaz
The instrument used for the miraculous sign given to Hezekiah, where the shadow moved backward.

Teaching Points

Faith in God's Promises
Hezekiah's account reminds us to trust in God's promises, even when circumstances seem dire. His faith was rewarded with healing and a sign.

The Power of Prayer
Hezekiah's earnest prayer led to a miraculous intervention. This encourages us to approach God with our needs, trusting in His power to act.

God's Sovereignty Over Time
The sign of the sundial moving backward illustrates God's control over time and nature, reminding us of His omnipotence.

Gratitude and Worship
Hezekiah's desire to visit the temple after his healing highlights the importance of gratitude and worship in response to God's blessings.

Seeking Signs vs. Faith
While God provided a sign to Hezekiah, our faith should not be dependent on signs but on the assurance of God's word and character.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does Hezekiah's response to his illness challenge or inspire your own approach to difficult circumstances?

2. In what ways can you incorporate more earnest prayer into your daily life, following Hezekiah's example?

3. How does the sign of the sundial moving backward deepen your understanding of God's power and sovereignty?

4. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's intervention in your life. How did you respond, and what can you learn from Hezekiah's response?

5. How can you cultivate a faith that trusts in God's promises without relying on signs and wonders? Consider other biblical examples of faith.

Connections to Other Scriptures

2 Kings 20
This chapter provides a parallel account of Hezekiah's illness and recovery, offering additional details about the events and the sign of the sundial.

Psalm 116
This psalm reflects themes of deliverance from death and gratitude to God, similar to Hezekiah's response to his healing.

James 5:15
This verse speaks to the power of prayer in healing, echoing Hezekiah's experience of praying for recovery.

John 4:48
Jesus' words about signs and wonders can be connected to the sign given to Hezekiah, emphasizing faith beyond miraculous signs.

Philippians 4:6-7
Encourages believers to present their requests to God with thanksgiving, paralleling Hezekiah's prayerful response to his illness.

Sermons

Fear of Dying	W. Jay, M. A.	Isaiah 38:22
Seeking a Sign	W. Jay, M. A.	Isaiah 38:22
The Song of Hezekiah	E. Johnson	Isaiah 38:9-22

People

Ahaz, Amoz, David, Hezekiah, Isaiah

Places

Assyria

Topics

Hezekiah, Hezeki'ah, Sign, Temple

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Isaiah 38:22

1449 signs, purposes

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 Sermons

No 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

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