A New Lease On Life

Lessons from

Hezekiah’s Sickness and Recovery

Isaiah 38:1-22

A New Lease on Life

• The story of Hezekiah’s sickness and recovery reminds us of the value of limited time (2 Kings 20:1-11; 2 Chron. 32:24; Isa. 38:1-22)

• This story reminds us that God is willing to give us a new lease on life. What are we doing with the “second chances” that God is giving us?

• Let us examine Hezekiah’s (1) sickness, (2) song, and (3) second chance

Hezekiah’s Sickness

• Hezekiah is 39 years old when he gets sick unto death (2 Kings 18:2,13) – about half-way through life; about half-way through his reign (38:1; note v. 10)

• Isaiah tells him to set his affairs in order (38:1)

• Hezekiah prayed to God and wept (38:2-3)

• God hears and answers Hezekiah’s prayer (38:4-8)

Hezekiah’s Sickness

• English translations and commentators are divided between:

– “Dial (sundial) of Ahaz” (ASV, KJV, NKJV, RSV, NRSV)

– “Steps (stair steps) of Ahaz” (NASV, NIV, HCSB, ESV)

Hezekiah’s Sickness

• The Heb. ma’alah means “steps” (lit. elevate; go up higher; ascend; degrees)

• The Heb. ma’alah is used 2x in verse 9 (steps), 2x in verse 10 (steps), and 1x in verse 11 (steps)

• The Heb. ma’alah is used in 2 Kings 9:13 (and several other places in the OT) for a regular set of steps or stairs

Hezekiah’s Sickness

Hezekiah’s Sickness

Hezekiah’s Sickness

Hezekiah’s Song

• I am going to die half-way through life “in the noontide of my days” (38:9-12)

• I am going through emotional trouble (moaning, bitterness) because of my dying (38:13-15)

• I am going to ask God for recovery and deliverance (38:16-17)

• I am going to praise in song God while I am living; in death it will be too late (38:18-20)

Hezekiah’s Second Chance

• What did Hezekiah do with his new lease on life; his extra 15 years?

• He lifted himself up with pride (2 Chron. 32:24-31)

• He showed the Babylonians his wealth (Isa. 39:1-8; 2 Kings 20:12-21)

A New Lease on Life

• Renewed health after a disease; escape from a tragic accident or catastrophe

• A period of probation after a run-in with the law

• More time to change after a personal sin or confrontation with brethren

• Finding the truth after being misled by religious error for years

A New Lease on Life

• Raising another child after making mistakes with the first one

• Opportunities to get it right after making mistakes or poor judgments

• Opportunity to straighten up after brethren admonish you repeatedly

A New Lease on Life

“The living, the living, he shall praise thee…”( Isaiah 38:19)

“Behold, now is the acceptable time;behold, now is the day of salvation”

(2 Corinthians 6:2)

A New Lease on Life

“But Hezekiah rendered not againaccording to the benefit done unto him…”

( 2 Chron. 32:25)