Isaiah 38:7

And this [shall be] a sign unto thee from the LORD, that the LORD will do this thing that he hath spoken;

And this shall be a sign {H226} unto thee from the LORD {H3068}, that the LORD {H3068} will do {H6213} this thing {H1697} that he hath spoken {H1696};

The sign for you from ADONAI that ADONAI will do what he said is

This will be a sign to you from the LORD that He will do what He has promised:

And this shall be the sign unto thee from Jehovah, that Jehovah will do this thing that he hath spoken:

Isaiah 38:7 is a pivotal verse within the narrative of King Hezekiah's miraculous healing and extended life. It serves as God's declaration that a tangible sign will confirm His extraordinary promise to the ailing king.

Context

This verse is situated immediately after God's merciful response to King Hezekiah's fervent prayer. Hezekiah, facing a terminal illness and a prophecy of death from the prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 38:1), turned his face to the wall and pleaded with the Lord (Isaiah 38:2-3). God, moved by Hezekiah's tears and faithfulness, sent Isaiah back with a new message: He would add fifteen years to Hezekiah's life and deliver Jerusalem from the Assyrian threat (Isaiah 38:5-6). Verse 7 introduces the divine assurance—the sign—that would follow, solidifying the promise in Hezekiah's mind and confirming God's unwavering commitment to His word.

Key Themes

  • Divine Assurance and Confirmation: The primary message is God's willingness to provide tangible proof of His promises. This "sign" is not just a promise but a miraculous intervention designed to eliminate doubt and strengthen faith, demonstrating God's faithfulness to His covenant (Numbers 23:19).
  • God's Responsiveness to Prayer: Hezekiah's earnest prayer fundamentally changed his fate. This narrative powerfully illustrates the efficacy of prayer, showing God's compassion and readiness to intervene on behalf of His humble servants.
  • Sovereignty Over Nature: The sign itself, described in Isaiah 38:8, involved the shadow on the sundial of Ahaz going backward ten degrees. This extraordinary event underscores God's absolute sovereignty over the natural order, demonstrating His limitless power to accomplish His will.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "sign" is 'oth (אוֹת), which signifies a distinguishing mark, a token, or a miraculous demonstration. It is often used in the Old Testament to denote something that serves as a divine confirmation or a visible proof of God's presence and power. The phrase "the LORD will do this thing that he hath spoken" emphasizes the absolute certainty and reliability of God's word. What God declares, He will unfailingly bring to pass, highlighting His integrity and truthfulness.

Practical Application

For believers today, Isaiah 38:7 offers profound encouragement and timeless lessons:

  • Trust in God's Promises: We can rest assured that God is faithful to His word. While we may not always receive miraculous signs, God confirms His promises through His written Word, the Holy Spirit, and the circumstances He orchestrates. We are called to live by faith, trusting in the unseen promises of God (Hebrews 11:1).
  • The Power of Persistent Prayer: Hezekiah's example reminds us that God hears and responds to the sincere prayers of His people. Even in seemingly impossible situations, prayer can move the hand of God and bring about His divine intervention.
  • God's Compassion and Grace: This passage beautifully illustrates God's compassionate nature. He is not a distant deity but one who is intimately involved in the lives of His children, willing to extend grace and mercy beyond what we might expect.

Ultimately, this verse reinforces the comforting truth that God is able to do "exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think" (Ephesians 3:20), and He often provides the assurance we need to strengthen our faith in His perfect plan.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Isaiah 37:30

    And this [shall be] a sign unto thee, Ye shall eat [this] year such as groweth of itself; and the second year that which springeth of the same: and in the third year sow ye, and reap, and plant vineyards, and eat the fruit thereof.

  • Judges 6:37

    Behold, I will put a fleece of wool in the floor; [and] if the dew be on the fleece only, and [it be] dry upon all the earth [beside], then shall I know that thou wilt save Israel by mine hand, as thou hast said.

  • Judges 6:39

    And Gideon said unto God, Let not thine anger be hot against me, and I will speak but this once: let me prove, I pray thee, but this once with the fleece; let it now be dry only upon the fleece, and upon all the ground let there be dew.

  • Isaiah 7:11

    Ask thee a sign of the LORD thy God; ask it either in the depth, or in the height above.

  • Isaiah 7:14

    Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

  • 2 Kings 20:8

    And Hezekiah said unto Isaiah, What [shall be] the sign that the LORD will heal me, and that I shall go up into the house of the LORD the third day?

  • 2 Kings 20:21

    And Hezekiah slept with his fathers: and Manasseh his son reigned in his stead.

Add TrulyRandomVerse to your Home Screen for quick access!

← Back