Hezekiah has a new lease on life. When he was terminally ill, the LORD heard his prayers and healed his body, perhaps through a medical cure prescribed by Isaiah (38:21). The king must have been so grateful and relieved! Though God had announced that his death was imminent, because Hezekiah prayed, he was graciously promised fifteen more years. For reasons we never fully understand, God does not always say yes to these kinds of prayers. But in this case, God even bent the sunlight in a spectacular miracle designed to bring reassurance that He was turning the clock back on Hezekiah’s life (38:1-8). But is it possible that a shorter lifespan could actually be preferable to the many years we would prefer? Indeed, as Isaiah 39 illustrates, there are worse things that can happen than death. Had Hezekiah died from his illness instead of living an additional decade and a half, he would not have fallen to the later temptations of sin and callousness which sadly tarnished his good reputation. When a leader of Babylon hears about Hezekiah’s illness and recovery, he sends representatives to do some political fence-building, probably hoping that Judah will become their ally in the face of the Assyrian threat (v 1). It’s easy to understand why Hezekiah would be so eager to welcome them. Here is a great world leader paying attention to a tiny nation and its king. There is something immensely flattering when someone important pays attention to us! But there is also something dangerous happening, namely, that we will try to prove to the important person that the special attention is justified! This is the temptation that traps Hezekiah. He could have shared with his guests how the LORD had delivered him from death. It was a great opportunity to declare God’s glory to the nations. But instead of making God look good, Hezekiah makes himself look good, giving the envoys a guided tour of his impressive palace, including all of his wealth and armaments (v 2). Isaiah shows up with a few questions, Hezekiah admits to everything, and God declares more bad news: those visitors will one day own all they saw. Not only will the king’s possessions be carried off to Babylon, but his family too (v 3-7). Hezekiah’s response may sound humble and admirable, until we are told why he said that “the word of the LORD... is good”: because this judgment won’t affect him personally! (v 8). This is not how we would like to remember such a good man. But two lessons emerge: 1. Trust in God is intended as a way of life, not a one-time event. 2. Our hope is in Christ alone, not any mortal person. For further meditation: