Isaiah 38:7Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Observe now the extraordinary conclusion and the prophecy: extraordinary was the outcome of the battle when the angel appeared and the Assyrian army was defeated. Yet even more remarkable was the prophecy: you shall sow and harvest as in times of tranquility, not as in such moments of peril, when the adversary descends like a thunderbolt. He appended a sign to the signs, not for the righteous, who have faith without the need for indicators, but for others, so that all might be unveiled, and through the triumph over numerous foes, they could recognize Him as the Lord of death, and through the extension of Hezekiah’s life, acknowledge Him as the sovereign and bestower of life.

The narrative unfolds in reverse from what is presented in the Book of Kings, which describes the event with greater clarity (2 Kings 20:4-11). While Hezekiah mourned deeply, before Isaiah could exit the court, the Lord spoke to him again, saying to return and inform Hezekiah, the ruler of My people: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears. Indeed, I will restore you. Hezekiah then asked Isaiah, What will be the sign of the Lord’s healing? The prophet replied, It will be a sign from the Lord, affirming His promise: Would you prefer the shadow to advance ten degrees or to retract? Hezekiah expressed, It would be an easy thing for the shadow to advance ten degrees; rather, I want it to move back ten steps.

Upon Isaiah invoking the Lord’s authority, the sign was fulfilled, leading him to command the bringing of fresh figs; these were placed on Hezekiah's wound, and he was healed. Following this, the prophet returned to the king at the Lord's command so that Hezekiah could be healed by the One who had afflicted him. Hezekiah, known as the ruler of his people and the son of David, emulated the works of his forebear, practicing righteousness as David had. His heartfelt prayer and tears were acknowledged because he lived faithfully before the Lord, with a whole heart, weeping profoundly and performing what was pleasing in His sight. He did not seek an extension of life, yet he was granted fifteen additional years, alongside a promise of security for his kingdom throughout his days.

However, if one assumes that earthly existence is a form of bondage, as suggested by the verse, Do turn my soul to rest (Psalm 114:6), and in another place, Bring my soul out of the prison (Psalm 141:8), one might question why the Lord would graciously allow Hezekiah to remain in this earthbound state for another fifteen years. This extension is given as a sign: the sun’s shadow returning by ten degrees, imparting an illustration of both present realities and future truths. As the sun regressed, so too did Hezekiah’s life revert to the years already lived; for us, residing in a rhythm of sevens and eights, life is sustained through the resurrection of Christ.

In this region, visitors often point out the steps leading to the house of Hezekiah or Ahaz within the temple complex, indicating how it appears that the sun descended upon them. However, I find it hard to accept that the residence of Ahaz, a wicked king, or of any righteous king, was situated in the vicinity of God’s temple, especially when Solomon’s actions angered God by establishing high places from which he could survey the palace tower to the temple courtyard (1 Kings 11).