Isaiah 38:1

In those daies was Hezekiah sicke vnto death: and Isaiah the Prophet the sonne of Amoz came vnto him, and said vnto him; Thus saith the Lord, Set thine house in order: for thou shalt die, and not liue. Isaiah 38:1 (KJV)

Hezekiah was one of the righteous kings of Judah who reigned from approximately 715 to 686 BC. During his reign the Assyrian Empire threatened the southern kingdom of Judah. Hezekiah sought to reform the religious practices in Judah, removing idol worship and reestablishing the worship of the true God.

The verse begins by stating that Hezekiah was sick unto death. The nature of his illness is not explicitly mentioned in this verse, but elsewhere it is described as a “boil” or “ulcer” (2 Kings 20:7; Isaiah 38:21) and also referenced in Isaiah 38:3. This illness was severe, and Hezekiah was facing the possibility of death.

Isaiah, the son of Amoz, was a prominent prophet in Judah during Hezekiah’s reign, known for warnings of the consequences of disobedience to God’s laws and for offering hope and encouragement to those who turned back to God.

In this verse Isaiah delivered the Lord’s message: “Set thine house in order, for thou shalt die, and not live.” The words of the prophet indicated that Hezekiah’s illness would result in his imminent death, presenting a significant challenge to him.

Nevertheless, the subsequent verses (Isaiah 38:2‑8) reveal that Hezekiah earnestly prayed to God and pleaded for his life. God, in response to Hezekiah’s prayer, granted him an additional fifteen years of life (Isaiah 38:5), demonstrating divine mercy and compassion.

Overall, Isaiah 38:1 highlights the frailty and mortality of human life, showcases the power of prayer, and affirms God’s willingness to respond to the genuine cries of His people. Hezekiah’s experience serves as a reminder to set our lives in order, seek God’s guidance and mercy in times of trouble, and trust in His sovereignty and ultimate plan for our lives.