Victory Fellowship Bible Study
273 23rd St. S.W., Barberton, OH 44203
Wednesdays at 7pm - Roderick D. Grabski (330) 858-0223
WEBPAGE: victoryfellowshipministries.com
Session Seventeen: Hezekiah’s Illness and Recovery
1) GATHERING and OPENING PRAYER
2) READ / LISTEN to Isaiah 38:1 – 39:8
a) What are your initial impressions? Are there notable differences in various translations?
b) The events of Isaiah chapters 36-39 are almost word for word from the account in 2 Kings 18:13 – 20:19. A similar account is also found in 2 Chronicles 32:1-31.
3) HEZEKIAH’S ILLNESS, PRAYER, and POEM of PRAISE: (38:1-22)
a) (vs. 1) This happened sometime between 705 and 701 B.C. Hezekiah was about 39 years old and apparently had no heir to the kingdom. His son, Manasseh, was 12 years old when Hezekiah died. (2nd Kings 21)
b) (vv. 2-3) Hezekiah prays to God
c) (vv. 4-5) What is significant about God telling Isaiah to tell Hezekiah that He is “the Lord God of your ancestor David?” What does adding 15 years to Hezekiah’s life insure?
d) (vv. 6-8) God gives Hezekiah sign because he asked for one (see vs. 22 & 2nd Kings 20:1-11).
i) Compare Hezekiah’s response to a sign from God versus his father Ahaz’s in chapter 7.
e) (vv. 9-20) This poem was written after Hezekiah recovered. What stands out to you in these verses?
f) (vv. 21-22) These verses are an appendix that feed back into the previous narrative.
4) A FRIGHTFUL FUTURE: (39:1-8)
a) See page for Judah after the Northern Kingdom Falls
b) (vs. 1) What should Hezekiah have done with this letter?
c) (vs. 2) What is the folly of Hezekiah’s actions? (See 2nd Chronicles 32:27-31)
d) (vv. 3-4) What is the point of Isaiah’s questions to Hezekiah?
e) (vv. 5-7) If you’re gonna be dumb Hezekiah, you’d better be tough.
i) 2 Kings 24-25 and Daniel 1 record the fulfillment of this prophesy that occurs some 115 years later.
ii) See chart of Kings of Judah and Israel.
f) (vs. 8) What do you think about Hezekiah’s response?
5) APPLICATION:
a) Oftentimes, it is in desperate situations that God calls people to pray. (Job 1:20-22)
b) If we choose to allow Him, God can deliver us from selfishness and increase our commitment to God and His ways and plans. (Jeremiah 9:23-24)
6) WRAP UP and CLOSE IN PRAYER
No class next week – ASH WEDNESDAY
NEXT LESSON (March 1st):
Comforter and Creator Comes to Court - Read Isaiah 40:1 – 41:29 to prepare.
