Page 78 - Isaiah Student Worktext

Study Section 11: Chapters 38 - 40

11.1 Connect

Why does God allow illness and suffering? Why does He answer some prayers for healing and
not others?

The simple truth is that when sin entered the world, illness and death entered with it. Until
Jesus returns and death is completely defeated, every single person must face diseases and
injuries while we live.

Also, there is not a single part of the human body that is not subject to some form of disease. Because
of this, it is hard to imagine how many cries of pain or prayers for relief go up to God every day.

Although medical science has conquered some of these issues, this is still true: every person will die
eventually of something. In fact, even though we are alive, we are all dying a little bit every day.
Eventually death will prevail. God’s promise to Adam was true: “The day you eat of the forbidden tree,
you shall surely die.”

11.2 Objectives

1. The student should be able to explain why God heals Hezekiah from illness and teaches him
humility and obedience by what he suffered.

2. The student should be able to explain why, when Isaiah warned Hezekiah of the future exile to
Babylon, Hezekiah showed no concern because he knew it wouldn’t happen in his lifetime, a tragic
display of shortsighted faith.

3. The student should be able to discuss that as the majestic glory of God in creation and redemption is
proclaimed among the nations, weakened, idolatrous, dying sinners are saved, comforted and
strengthened.

11.3 Chapter 38 - Main Idea: God heals Hezekiah from illness and teaches him humility and
obedience by what he suffered.

In this chapter, as in 2 Kings 20; 2 Chronicles 32, we see that Hezekiah, the good king, is human
like everyone else. He is brought down by the very human problem of illness.

V. 1 Even though we all will die, not all of us will receive the news that it is soon to come. I have
dealt with the death and dying of many people. Some people die suddenly and unexpectedly
and some long for death after a lingering illness and much suffering.

Hezekiah received the news that he needed to get his things in order, for the end was coming soon. In
each of our lives we need ‘set our houses in order’ and be ready at all times.

V. 2-3 His first reaction is a good one…he prayed. In the situations where I have been called to the
bedside of a dying person, my prayer always includes a request for a miraculous healing. I don’t think

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