( Isaiah38:11a)
Read: Isaiah 38:9-22
Hezekiah's response to Isaiah's message that God would heal him
Gives us much insight into what he was thinking during his illness. Isaiah
initially had come to him saying. "Thus says the LORD: 'Set your house in
order, for you shall due and not live.'" When we read of Hezekiah's lament
in the following verse, we might think that he was unduly attached to this
world and wrongly grieved by Isaiah's sudden message. But was not an
undue attachment this world that caused Hezekiah so much grief. When
We analyze the language og his lament and his subsequent thanksgiving
for the grace of God, we learn that he assumed that God was angry with
him for something he had done wrong, and that He was punishing him by
Cutting him ohh without recnciliation. Hezekiah was afraid that he never
see the face of God and that would be cast into darkness forever.
So when he complained that he had been cut off in the prime of his
life and deprived of the remainder of his years, he was lamenting the loss
of life in service to the Lord. He never once said he didn't deserve
judgment, for he knew that he was a sinner. He did say that he had walked
before the Lord in truth with a loyal, just as David did, but he didn't accuse
God of acting unjustly. He simply wanted God to be merciful and to keep
him his life-giving presence.
Is it any wonder that Hezekiah wept bitterly and that his heart was
So heavy? And yet, despite his fears, he still went to the lord in prayer.
God knew his heart. He knew Hezekiah's main concern was being
reconciled to Him. Hezekiah didn't want to live for the sake of living.
He didn't to avoid death because it would take him from this earthly
existence. He simply didn't want to be separated from God, and that was
Happening He wanted to be alive in the presence of the Lord so he could
praise him with other believers: "For Sheol cannot thank You, death praise
You: as I do this day."
Whether in life or in death, this should be our desire. Our greatest fear
should be separation from the Lord, not from this world. But thanks be to
God that in Jesus Christ we have the assurance that nothing can separate
us from the love of God. Amen
I believe the writer see more insight how Hezekiah response God's
message toward us, to know more of Him we need to encounter God
one on one because He didn't leave as orphan He send His Spirit the
comforter. That his Revelation is an invitation toward us. That i also write
The Song.
Are you more afraid of living without this world or living wiyhout
God's Hezekiah could face death if he knew he'd be with the Lord. But
Without that assurance, he was devastated. If you discovered you would
die soon, what would cause you to die confident that you would go to
heaven? Consider how you want to spend your final days.
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