Isaiah 38:1Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Have you not heard, "For my own sake, and for the sake of David my servant" (Isaiah 37:35)? The prophet Isaiah, son of Amos, approached him and declared, “Thus saith the Lord, Make a covenant for thy house.” Notice the timing of his visit: it was during Hezekiah's profound distress, when, in his illness, he could more readily accept the message. Additionally, he was to have faith not only for himself but also regarding what had transpired with his adversary. “Make a will for thy house, for thou shalt die, thou shalt not recover.” He did not merely declare, "Thou shalt die," but elaborated by stating, "Thou shalt make a will," a term that other interpreters understand as 'command,' which fostered a deeper faith. This manner of speaking ensured that the subsequent miracles were affirmed.

Like a father who cherishes his child, He corrects humanity with discipline, guiding them towards righteousness and away from the evil lurking within. Just as the most adept physicians cauterize or surgically remove the decayed parts of a body not out of malice, but out of compassion, the Almighty also mitigates the harmful consequences of our sins with appropriate chastisements, to spare us from being condemned in ease, as noted in the scripture: "But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world" (1 Corinthians 11:32). Thus, King Hezekiah faced illness and fell into the fate of the unrighteous, as declared by the prophet, who informed him of his impending death and urged him to set his house in order. God did this, not because He was unaware that Hezekiah would survive and recover from his grave affliction, but to call him to prayer, so that he might plead for mercy; for He is gracious to those who seek Him, providing to those who ask and paying attention to the pleas of the faithful. And indeed, it came to fruition.

To prevent Hezekiah's heart from being lifted too high amidst his remarkable victories during times of trial, he was afflicted with sickness and confronted with the news of his impending death. This was intended to prompt his return to the Lord, thereby averting divine judgment. We see this echoed in the book of Jonah and in the warnings to David, which were announced but not fulfilled—not due to a change in God's judgment, but because He calls humanity to recognize Him. For He is the Lord who relents from sending calamity (2 Chronicles 36:28; Prayer of Manasseh 6; Joel 2:13; Jonah 4:2).

Hezekiah turned his face to the wall, unable to go to the temple, which could refer to the wall near the palace that Solomon had constructed, or more generally, to shield his tears from the public eye. According to Jeremiah's use of the word for "wall," he may have expressed his intent to seek God from the depths of his heart. He implored, "I beseech You, Lord, remember how I have walked before You in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done good in Your sight." Faced with the prospect of death, he did not plead for an extended life but humbly submitted to God’s judgment, aware that Solomon had pleased God by not asking for long years. Instead, Hezekiah recounted his good works, embodying heartfelt sincerity as he spoke of his faithfulness.

Blessed is the conscience that recalls righteous deeds during times of distress; indeed, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God" (Matt. 5:8). It is written, "Who can say, I have made my heart clean?" (Proverbs 20:9). This highlights that Hezekiah’s purity of heart stemmed from his destruction of idols, the overthrow of Baal's altars, the dismantling of the bronze serpent, and other acts recorded in Scripture (2 Samuel 18:3-5; 2 Chronicles 29-31).

His intense weeping signified despair over the promises made to David, which he believed were at risk due to his own mortality. At the time, Hezekiah had no heirs, as Manasseh ascended to the throne after his death at the tender age of twelve (2 Chronicles 33:1), suggesting that Manasseh was born after Hezekiah had received an extension of life. Thus, this lamentation stems from the fear of losing the lineage from which the Messiah would come.

Some conclude that even the most righteous fear death due to uncertainties surrounding divine judgment and the unknown nature of their eternal destiny. The matters of fate and divine purpose are complex, as the time of death is not predetermined for all but unfolds according to God's will and purposes. This reality, especially in light of examples of resurrection after death, underscores the mystery surrounding life and mortality.

The healing foretold by the prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 38:5) was realized through divine intervention with the application of a fig to his boil (2 Kings 20:7), leading to the belief that Hezekiah suffered from a plague, for which a fig plaster is still regarded as an effective remedy by Arab physicians. The instruction to "set thy house in order" pertains to the arrangements Hezekiah was advised to make regarding his household and possessions.