This will be a sign to you from the LORD that He will do what He has promised: This will be a signThe word "sign" in Hebrew is "אוֹת" (oth), which often denotes a miraculous or divine indication of God's intervention or promise. In the context of Isaiah 38, this sign is a tangible assurance from God to King Hezekiah, affirming His faithfulness and power. Throughout the Bible, signs serve as confirmations of God's covenant and promises, such as the rainbow in Genesis 9:13. This particular sign is meant to strengthen Hezekiah's faith and trust in God's word. to you
The phrase "to you" personalizes the message, indicating that the sign is specifically for Hezekiah. It underscores the intimate relationship between God and His chosen leaders. In the broader biblical narrative, God often provides personal signs to individuals to guide, reassure, or instruct them, as seen with Gideon in Judges 6:17. This personal touch highlights God's care and attention to individual needs and circumstances. from the LORD
The term "LORD" in Hebrew is "יהוה" (YHWH), the sacred and personal name of God, often rendered as "Yahweh." This name emphasizes God's eternal, self-existent nature and His covenant relationship with Israel. By stating that the sign is from the LORD, the verse reinforces the authority and reliability of the promise. It is not merely a human assurance but a divine guarantee from the Creator and Sustainer of all. that He will do
This phrase emphasizes God's active role in fulfilling His promises. The Hebrew verb "עשה" (asah) means "to do" or "to make," indicating God's direct involvement in the unfolding of events. It reflects the biblical theme of God's sovereignty and His ability to bring His plans to fruition, as seen in Isaiah 46:10, where God declares the end from the beginning. what He has promised
The word "promised" in Hebrew is "דִּבֶּר" (diber), which means "spoken" or "declared." This highlights the power and reliability of God's word. In the biblical context, God's promises are unbreakable covenants, as seen in His promises to Abraham, Moses, and David. The fulfillment of these promises is a testament to God's faithfulness and His unchanging nature, as affirmed in Numbers 23:19, where it states that God does not lie or change His mind. Persons / Places / Events 1. HezekiahThe king of Judah who fell ill and prayed to the LORD for healing. God granted him an additional 15 years of life. 2. IsaiahThe prophet who delivered God's message to Hezekiah, including the promise of healing and a sign. 3. JerusalemThe city where these events took place, significant as the center of worship and the location of the temple. 4. The LORD (Yahweh)The covenant-keeping God of Israel, who promises and fulfills His word. 5. The SignThe miraculous event promised by God to confirm His word to Hezekiah, specifically the shadow moving backward on the sundial. Teaching Points God's FaithfulnessGod is faithful to His promises, and He often provides signs to reassure His people of His intentions. The Role of SignsSigns are given not to create faith but to confirm and strengthen existing faith. They serve as a tangible reminder of God's power and presence. Prayer and TrustHezekiah's response to his illness was to pray and trust in God's word. This teaches us the importance of turning to God in times of distress. God's SovereigntyThe miraculous sign of the shadow moving backward demonstrates God's control over creation and time, reminding us of His ultimate authority. Personal ApplicationReflect on how God has provided signs or assurances in your own life. Consider how these have strengthened your faith and trust in Him. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the sign given to Hezekiah in Isaiah 38:7 demonstrate God's faithfulness to His promises? 2. In what ways can we seek and recognize God's signs in our own lives today? 3. How does Hezekiah's response to his illness challenge us to respond to our own trials and uncertainties? 4. What are some other biblical examples of God providing signs, and how do they compare to the sign given to Hezekiah? 5. How can understanding God's sovereignty, as demonstrated in this passage, impact our daily trust and reliance on Him? Connections to Other Scriptures 2 Kings 20:1-11This passage provides a parallel account of Hezekiah's illness and the sign of the shadow moving backward, offering additional details about the event. Exodus 3:12God provides a sign to Moses as assurance of His promise, similar to the sign given to Hezekiah. John 4:48Jesus speaks about the need for signs and wonders for belief, which can be contrasted with the faith Hezekiah showed in God's promise. Hebrews 11:1The definition of faith as confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see, relevant to understanding the role of signs in faith. People Ahaz, Amoz, David, Hezekiah, IsaiahPlaces AssyriaTopics Isaiah, Lord's, Promised, Sign, SpokenDictionary of Bible Themes Isaiah 38:1-8 5333 healing Isaiah 38:1-10 8610 prayer, asking God Isaiah 38:4-8 5548 speech, divine Isaiah 38:7-8 1403 God, revelation
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 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 38:7 NIVIsaiah 38:7 NLTIsaiah 38:7 ESVIsaiah 38:7 NASBIsaiah 38:7 KJV
Isaiah 38:7 Commentaries
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