Isaiah 38:7

This will be a sign to you from the LORD that He will do what He has promised:

Study Bible

This will be a sign to you from the LORD
In biblical times, signs were often used by God to confirm His promises or to demonstrate His power. This phrase indicates that God is providing a tangible assurance to Hezekiah. Signs from the LORD are seen throughout Scripture, such as the rainbow in Genesis 9:13 as a sign of God's covenant with Noah, or the virgin birth in Isaiah 7:14 as a sign of the coming Messiah. The use of signs underscores God's willingness to communicate and affirm His intentions to His people.

that He will do
This phrase emphasizes God's active role in fulfilling His promises. It reflects the biblical theme of God's faithfulness and sovereignty. In the context of Isaiah 38, God is responding to Hezekiah's prayer and is about to perform a miraculous act. This assurance is consistent with other biblical narratives where God intervenes in human history, such as the deliverance of Israel from Egypt (Exodus 3:8) or the promise of restoration in Jeremiah 29:10-14.

what He has promised:
The promise in this context refers to God's assurance to Hezekiah that he will recover from his illness and that the city of Jerusalem will be delivered from the Assyrian threat. This reflects the broader biblical theme of God's covenant faithfulness. Throughout Scripture, God is depicted as a promise-keeper, from His covenant with Abraham in Genesis 12:1-3 to the new covenant in Christ (Hebrews 8:6). The fulfillment of God's promises often serves as a testament to His reliability and the trustworthiness of His word.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Hezekiah
The king of Judah who fell ill and prayed to the LORD for healing. God granted him an additional 15 years of life.

2. Isaiah
The prophet who delivered God's message to Hezekiah, including the promise of healing and a sign.

3. Jerusalem
The 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 Sign
The miraculous event promised by God to confirm His word to Hezekiah, specifically the shadow moving backward on the sundial.

Teaching Points

God's Faithfulness
God is faithful to His promises, and He often provides signs to reassure His people of His intentions.

The Role of Signs
Signs 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 Trust
Hezekiah'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 Sovereignty
The miraculous sign of the shadow moving backward demonstrates God's control over creation and time, reminding us of His ultimate authority.

Personal Application
Reflect 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 20:1-11
This passage provides a parallel account of Hezekiah's illness and the sign of the shadow moving backward, offering additional details about the event.

Exodus 3:12
God provides a sign to Moses as assurance of His promise, similar to the sign given to Hezekiah.

John 4:48
Jesus speaks about the need for signs and wonders for belief, which can be contrasted with the faith Hezekiah showed in God's promise.

Hebrews 11:1
The 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.