Isaiah 38:16, commentary and pictures

“O Lord, by these things men live” means that human life, and the life of the spirit with all its strength, depend on God’s dealings and sustaining care, for He upholds all created things. In all these things is the life of the spirit because life and recovery are His gifts, received from His hand. The verse is Hezekiah’s plea and song of gratitude that God would recover him and make him to live.

In favor God restored Hezekiah from sickness in answer to prayer, spared his life and prolonged it, giving him life anew. He granted him a new lease of life, with fifteen more years added. His recovery shows that trusting God does not mean neglecting remedies that work with nature, for God directed the use of a fig poultice for his healing. Using beneficial means in harmony with natural laws is consistent with faith and with God’s providence, since God is the source of life and can restore the sick in answer to prayer while working through such means.

The turning back of the shadow on the sundial ten degrees was the sign from the God of heaven that Hezekiah’s life had been spared and he had been restored to health. Wise men in Babylon, who gave much attention to astronomy, observed the turning back of the shadow and marveled greatly. When their king Merodach-baladan learned that the wonder was a sign of Hezekiah’s recovery, he sent ambassadors to Hezekiah to congratulate him and to learn, if possible, more of the God who was able to perform so great a wonder. Hezekiah’s restored life thus gave him an opportunity to tell others about the living God.