The Problem of a Short Memory - Isaiah 38-39

Isaiah 38-39

©May 8th, 2022 by Rev. Rick Goettsche SERIES: Isaiah

As we near the end of another school year, students all over are preparing to take final exams. If you are out of school, surely you remember the stress that these exams can induce—especially if it’s for a class where you didn’t pay close attention! I often hear students of all stripes mention that they just need to remember these lessons for their exams, then they can forget about them forever. Inevitably, I try to remind the students that learning the lessons for the exams is really a waste of time—they’d be better served to work at understanding the lessons and building on them for the future.

Admittedly, I have fallen prey to this mentality as well. When I was in college, I had to take a botany class. I wasn’t interested in plants, and didn’t think that the biology of plants qualified as real science. So, I learned what I needed to in order to pass the class, but didn’t put in the effort to really understand and internalize the concepts being taught to me. I passed the class but can tell you very little about plants today. I didn’t think that would matter…until I moved back to a farming community where everyone seems to be experts at plant biology; or when I bought a house and had to learn how to care for the plants on my property; or when I was asked to teach plant biology recently while substitute teaching! Guess what I discovered? If you don’t learn the lessons the first time around, you end up having to learn them again later.

While we can all probably relate to this to some degree with the lessons we learned in school, the fact is that we often do the same thing with the lessons we learn in life. Sometimes we go through a time of trial and are forced to learn some hard lessons as we walk through that time. But sadly, when we come out on the other side of the trial, we often allow those lessons to go by the wayside. We figure we have passed the test, so we no longer need to retain what we’ve learned. This is foolhardy, but it’s also incredibly common.

In our passage this morning, we will look at some lessons King Hezekiah learned as he endured a time of testing, but we will also see how quickly he seemed to forget them when the trial was over. As we look at Hezekiah’s example, I hope we will be driven to take stock of our own patterns and to ensure that we put into practice the lessons we have worked so hard to learn.

Hezekiah’s Illness

As we open the story of chapter 38, we read about Hezekiah’s sickness and Isaiah’s prophecy about it.

About that time Hezekiah became deathly ill, and the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz went to visit him. He gave the king this message: “This is what the Lord says: ‘Set your affairs in order, for you are going to die. You will not recover from this illness.’ ” 2 When Hezekiah heard this, he turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord, 3 “Remember, O Lord, how I have always been faithful to you and have served you single-mindedly, always doing what pleases you.” Then he broke down and wept bitterly. (Isaiah 38:1-3, NLT)

Hezekiah became ill, and Isaiah came to visit him, telling him that the illness would be fatal, so he should set his affairs in order. Hezekiah responded by turning away from Isaiah and the others in the room and crying out to the Lord. He reminded the Lord that he had been faithful to Him and had tried to serve Him wholeheartedly then he broke down and wept bitterly. Hezekiah was likely 39 years old when he received this news from Isaiah. As you might expect, he felt like he was being cut down in the prime of his life. We are not told that Hezekiah asked God to save his life, but we do see that his first response was to cry out to God.

After this encounter, Isaiah left, and then he received another message from the Lord,

4 Then this message came to Isaiah from the Lord: 5 “Go back to Hezekiah and tell him, ‘This is what the Lord, the God of your ancestor David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears. I will add fifteen years to your life, 6 and I will rescue you and this city from the king of Assyria. Yes, I will defend this city. 7 “ ‘And this is the sign from the Lord to prove that he will do as he promised: 8 I will cause the sun’s shadow to move ten steps backward on the sundial of Ahaz!’ ” So the shadow on the sundial moved backward ten steps. (Isaiah 38:4-8, NLT)

God told Isaiah to go back and tell Hezekiah that the Lord had heard his prayer and seen his tears, and so God would grant him healing from this illness and allow him to live another 15 years. He also promised Hezekiah that the Assyrians would not conquer the city and that the Lord Himself would fight for them. Now you may find yourself asking, didn’t the Lord already deliver them from the Assyrians? This statement (along with a few other pieces of information) leads many scholars to conclude that Hezekiah got sick before the Assyrian army ever arrived, so the events of chapters 38 and 39 occurred before the events of chapters 36 and 37. Ultimately, the chronology is not that important. But it does bear mentioning, because it seems strange that God would promise deliverance if He had already driven away the Assyrians. Most likely, the reason God promised to drive away the Assyrians is because he hadn’t driven them away yet.

What is important is the tremendous change in circumstances for Hezekiah! He has gone from death to life, and has God’s promise to deliver him from the hands of Assyria! To further solidify His promise, the Lord also said He would give Hezekiah a sign, causing the shadow on the steps (possibly a sundial) to go backwards! Obviously, there is no natural explanation for what would have caused the shadow from the sun to move backwards, so this is clearly a miracle from God performed for the express purpose of confirming that what He said will indeed come to pass.

Hezekiah’s Song

As you might expect, this reversal of fortunes was wonderful news to Hezekiah. He proceeded to sing a song to the Lord about this experience. The song is interesting because at the beginning it doesn’t sound like a song of praise at all. Rather, Hezekiah laments the injustice of having his life cut short. The opening lines give us a sense of the utter despair Hezekiah had when faced with the prospect of an early grave.

But his song eventually moves from a place of despair to a place of praise, and humble worship toward the Lord. This near-death experience seemed to have shaken Hezekiah to the core and taught him an important lesson. Listen to his conclusion,

15 But what could I say? For he himself sent this sickness. Now I will walk humbly throughout my years because of this anguish I have felt. 16 Lord, your discipline is good, for it leads to life and health. You restore my health and allow me to live! 17 Yes, this anguish was good for me, for you have rescued me from death and forgiven all my sins. 20 Think of it—the Lord is ready to heal me! I will sing his praises with instruments every day of my life in the Temple of the Lord. (Isaiah 38:15-17, 20, NLT)

Hezekiah takes a position of humility before the Lord, recognizing that he must ultimately submit to the Lord’s plan, because it is good. He declares that after this experience, he will walk humbly before God and praise him every day of his life.

This is a common experience for people who have gone through a crisis. In times of trouble, we are driven in the arms of God. We recognize that we have no hope on our own, so we reach out to Him. This is a good thing, and I believe it is often one of the purposes God intends for these times of trial. Once things start getting better, however, we often forget about the Lord again. We stop seeking Him and relegate Him to the back burner of our lives. We may make grand boasts about how we will be devoted to Him, but often they are just empty words. When we do this, we fail to learn the lessons God was teaching us through the trials—we’re just cramming to pass the test.

Hezekiah seems like he may slip into this pattern as well. Isaiah gives the servants God’s prescription to heal Hezekiah and then Hezekiah immediately asks for another sign.

21 Isaiah had said to Hezekiah’s servants, “Make an ointment from figs and spread it over the boil, and Hezekiah will recover.” 22 And Hezekiah had asked, “What sign will prove that I will go to the Temple of the Lord?” (Isaiah 38:21-22, NLT)

There’s nothing special about the ointment from figs, it’s just the means God used to heal Hezekiah. Hezekiah then asks for a sign that will prove that he will be able to go the temple and be declared clean again. Hezekiah’s demand for a sign leaves us wondering whether he actually learned anything or not. Which leads us into chapter 39.

The Babylonian Visit

Chapter 39 begins by telling us about some visitors from far-away Babylon.

Soon after this, Merodach-baladan son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent Hezekiah his best wishes and a gift. He had heard that Hezekiah had been very sick and that he had recovered. 2 Hezekiah was delighted with the Babylonian envoys and showed them everything in his treasure-houses—the silver, the gold, the spices, and the aromatic oils. He also took them to see his armory and showed them everything in his royal treasuries! There was nothing in his palace or kingdom that Hezekiah did not show them. (Isaiah 39:1-2, NLT)

At this time, Assyria was still the dominant world power, but Babylon was hoping to overthrow them. As you might expect, the Babylonian empire was quite significant in its own right, but not as powerful as the Assyrians at this point. In fact, the Babylonian king mentioned here actually ended up being driven out of Babylon by the Assyrian king.

So why would the Babylonian king send messengers to Hezekiah? The messengers claimed they came because they had heard about Hezekiah’s miraculous healing, but more likely there was an ulterior motive to their visit. It seems likely that the king of Babylon was looking to ally himself with Judah and was coming in hopes of getting in the good graces of Hezekiah. It is also possible that like the Assyrians, the Babylonians saw Judah as a potential target, so these messengers were serving as a reconnaissance team to spy out the land.

Whatever the true motives were behind their visit, Hezekiah does not seem concerned or suspicious. Instead, we are told that he was delighted with the Babylonian envoys, so he showed them everything in the kingdom, including all of his treasure, his palace, and his military capabilities. If these men were looking for information, they got it all.

Why was Hezekiah not suspicious of these men? I suspect it is because he was flattered by the idea that someone like the king of Babylon would take an interest in him. Hezekiah seems to have suffered from the sin of pride, so he was going to show off for the Babylonians so they might be impressed by him. When Hezekiah was ridiculed by the Assyrians, he stood firm, but he fell for the flattery of the Babylonian king.

The text doesn’t tell us this was Hezekiah’s attitude, but as we read God’s response through Isaiah, it leads us to this conclusion.

3 Then Isaiah the prophet went to King Hezekiah and asked him, “What did those men want? Where were they from?” Hezekiah replied, “They came from the distant land of Babylon.” 4 “What did they see in your palace?” asked Isaiah.

“They saw everything,” Hezekiah replied. “I showed them everything I own—all my royal treasuries.” 5 Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, “Listen to this message from the Lord of Heaven’s Armies: 6 ‘The time is coming when everything in your palace—all the treasures stored up by your ancestors until now—will be carried off to Babylon. Nothing will be left,’ says the Lord. 7 ‘Some of your very own sons will be taken away into exile. They will become eunuchs who will serve in the palace of Babylon’s king.’ ” (Isaiah 39:3-7, NLT)

Isaiah asks direct questions of Hezekiah and gets some direct answers. When Hezekiah admits that he showed these men everything in the kingdom, Isaiah once again speaks on behalf of the Lord and issues another prophecy about the kingdom of Judah. He tells Hezekiah that though they would be spared from the Assyrians, a time was coming in the future when the Babylonians would come and take all of his treasure off to Babylon with them, and that his own descendants would become slaves of the Babylonian king. He tells Hezekiah that though the Lord would spare them from Assyria, Babylon would ultimately conquer them. A little over 100 years later, that’s exactly what happened.

Obviously this is not a great outcome. The idea that Judah would be conquered and everything they own would be plundered, including the people living there and even the royal family would seemingly be a depressing thought. Which is why Hezekiah’s response is surprising.

8 Then Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “This message you have given me from the Lord is good.” For the king was thinking, “At least there will be peace and security during my lifetime.” (Isaiah 39:8, NLT)

Instead of lamenting this fate, or even being driven back to the Lord in prayer, Hezekiah seems only concerned for himself. He considers it a blessing that at least he will finish his life in peace, even though the nation would ultimately be destroyed later. This attitude is not what we would expect from the king. Hezekiah’s brush with death had caused him only to focus on himself rather than on what was best for the kingdom.

Conclusion

Hezekiah’s story is full of twists and turns and surprises. Hezekiah had a brush with death that the Lord delivered him from, but rather than being forever changed by the experience, it almost seems as though he forgot all the lessons he claimed to have learned. We ought to draw some lessons from Hezekiah’s life, lest we repeat his mistakes.

First, we must work to remember the lessons God has taught us in the past or be doomed to repeat the course. As Hezekiah came out of his seemingly fatal illness, he learned some valuable lessons about the frailty of life, the importance of trusting God, and his need to seek the Lord above all else. Unfortunately, once the crisis had passed, Hezekiah seemed to forget these things, and began to focus inwardly instead of on the things of God.

Rather than looking down on Hezekiah, we need to recognize that we often do the same thing. When you go through a difficult time, sometimes God brings certain truths into sharp focus and you learn and grow as a person. But as the crisis passes, the lessons we once learned seem to fade from view and we slowly return to the way we were before, as if nothing ever happened. We need to work to continue to put into practice the lessons we learned in times of trial—otherwise the trials were for nothing.

Second, prayer changes things. When Hezekiah cried out to God, God heard him, and Hezekiah’s situation changed. God doesn’t always change our circumstances in response to our prayers—sometimes He changes us. Other times He does both. What we need to see is the importance of running to the Lord in prayer first. God is over all things, even the hard things in our lives. We should run to Him because He knows what is best. Sometimes our prayers will change our circumstances, almost always our prayers will change us.

Finally, we must be on the lookout for things we value more than the Lord. Hezekiah trusted the Lord. He was devoted to God and tried to live for Him…most of the time. He stood firm against the Assyrian army and showed great faith as he faced what seemed like insurmountable odds. But when faced with the prospect of flattery, fame, and notoriety, suddenly we saw some chinks in the armor. Instead of running toward the Lord, he ran toward the thing he wanted most.

This is what we should guard against in our own lives. Most of us have things that we desire more than the things of God. And Satan knows that if he offers those things to us, we will abandon what we know is good and right in favor of what we desire most. The challenge is to identify what our places of weakness are.

I think the best way to do that is by looking inward. Think about what you desire most. If you were granted wishes by a genie, what would you ask for? There’s a good chance that’s an area of weakness—something you will compromise your faith to get if you think you have the chance. Similarly, look back at your track record. The times when you’ve gotten into trouble, where you’ve compromised in your faith, what was the reason? What were you chasing after that caused you to compromise your faith? Asking those questions gives us a pretty good sense of what we truly desire most. Satan knows what the most effective bait for us is, we would be wise to know too.

If we identify those things, then we can work on correcting our priorities. The things we want may not even be bad things, but when we want them so much that we are willing to compromise our faith, then they have become idols. We need to learn from Hezekiah the importance of ridding our lives of the idols that can easily lead us away from the Lord—because if we don’t, we run the risk of making some big mistakes.

Hezekiah is an example of someone who passed the class, but didn’t learn what he was supposed to. Our challenge this morning is to recognize how easily we can do the same. Let’s have a long memory for the lessons God teaches us in life. If we can learn them and put them into practice the first time around, then we can start building on them. If we forget them, there’s a good chance we’ll have to learn them again.

©May 8th, 2022 by Rev. Rick Goettsche SERIES: Isaiah