Isaiah 38:22 - Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

Bible Comments

Hezekiah also had said, What is the sign that I shall go up to the house of the LORD?

What is the sign that I shall go up to the house of the Lord? Hence, He makes the praises to be sung there prominent in his song (Isaiah 38:20; Psalms 116:12-14; Psalms 116:17-19).

Remarks: Men ought to have their house at all times 'set in order,' for they know not how soon they may "die." The great and rich have often more ties to bind them to the present life than the poor and humble; and so are often the most loath to leave it. But if the believer has committed his soul to His faithful and covenant keeping Father in Christ, he has no need to be anxious about secondary and worldly concerns. Hezekiah's pressing care in his sickness was, that if he should then die, he had no son to succeed him. Could he have foreseen what Manasseh, the son subsequently born to him; was about to prove, he would have been less concerned about the prospect of dying sonless. The servant of God, in prayer, though he cannot claim sinlessness, yet can appeal to the heart-searching God as to his sincerity (Isaiah 38:3). It is a consolation on a deathbed to be able, like Hezekiah, to say to the Lord, "I have walked before thee in truth, and with a perfect heart." None can say so absolutely; but every believer can say so relatively. Therefore, his prayer is acceptable to God, because "it goeth not out of feigned lips."

Isaiah 38:22

22 Hezekiah also had said, What is the sign that I shall go up to the house of the LORD?