Isaiah 38 · Grade 5

The Living Shall Praise You

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Read and Think

Isaiah 38 (parallel to 2 Kings 20:1-11) records Hezekiah's illness, "In those days." God promised to defend the city (38:6): "I will deliver you and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria, and I will defend this city." Isaiah's first message is stark: "Set your house in order, for you will die, and not live." Hezekiah turns to the wall, appeals to his faithful walk, and weeps bitterly.

God's response shows that prayer matters: "I have heard your prayer. I have seen your tears. Behold, I will add fifteen years to your life." The sign is remarkable: the shadow on "the sundial of Ahaz" returns ten steps, as if time itself turns back. The text does not explain how it happened; it simply records that "the sun returned ten steps." It is ironic that the sign appears on the sundial of Ahaz, the king who once refused a sign from God (Isaiah 7:12).

Hezekiah's psalm (verses 10-20) moves from lament to praise. He pictures life like a shepherd's tent taken down and a weaver's cloth cut off. Then he confesses grace: "you have in love for my soul delivered it from the pit of corruption; for you have cast all my sins behind your back." In the New Testament, Hebrews 8:12 says God will remember sins no more. Hezekiah concludes, "The living, the living, he shall praise you,... The father shall make known your truth to the children."

Show What You Know

What did God promise about the city along with Hezekiah's healing?
What is ironic about the sign?
What pictures does Hezekiah use for his life?
Which New Testament verse echoes God forgetting sin?

Crossword

Across

I have seen your ____.
In those days ____ was sick and near death.

Down

In those days Hezekiah was ____ and near death.
I have heard your ____.
I will add fifteen ____ to your life.

Think About It

Hezekiah said God had thrown all his sins behind His back. How does this picture help you understand God's forgiveness?
Hezekiah turned his healing into a song of praise. How can you remember to thank God after He answers a prayer?

Memory Verse

“Behold, for peace I had great anguish, but you have in love for my soul delivered it from the pit of corruption; for you have cast all my sins behind your back.”

Isaiah 38:17 (WEB)

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Prayer

Dear God, thank You for hearing my prayers. Help me . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

How can you encourage someone who is sick?
What reminder could help you say thanks to God every day?
What is one way you could live out this chapter this week?