A New Lease on Life: Lessons from Hezekiah's Sickness and Recovery (Isaiah 38:1-22)

1. A New Lease On Life Lessons from Hezekiah’s Sickness and Recovery Isaiah 38:1-22

2. 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

3. 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)

4. 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)

5. Hezekiah’s Sickness • The Heb. ma’alahmeans “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

6. Hezekiah’s Sickness

7. Hezekiah’s Sickness

8. Hezekiah’s Sickness

9. 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)

10. 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)

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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)

14. A New Lease on Life “But Hezekiah rendered not again according to the benefit done unto him…” ( 2 Chron. 32:25)