Isaiah 38:15 - What will I say? He has both spoken to me, and himself has done it. I will walk carefully all my years because of the anguish of my soul.

Generated Verse: Isaiah 38:15

What does "Isaiah 38:15" mean?


This verse, Isaiah 38:15, is part of King Hezekiah's prayer and reflection after being miraculously healed from a deadly illness. Let's break down the meaning:

"What will I say? He has both spoken to me, and himself has done it." This expresses Hezekiah's awe and wonder at God's direct intervention in his life.
"What will I say?": Hezekiah is almost speechless. He's struggling to find the right words to express the magnitude of what has happened. He's overwhelmed by God's power and mercy.
"He has both spoken to me...": God communicated with him, assuring him of healing and adding years to his life. This likely refers to the prophet Isaiah's initial message of impending death and then, after Hezekiah's prayer, the message of healing.
"...and himself has done it.": This emphasizes that it wasn't just a promise; God actively performed the healing. It wasn't a natural recovery; it was a direct act of divine power.

"I will walk carefully all my years because of the anguish of my soul." This speaks to Hezekiah's commitment to living a life of heightened awareness and reverence for God in light of his experience.
"I will walk carefully all my years": This isn't just about physical walking. "Walking" is a common metaphor in the Bible for one's way of life, conduct, and moral behavior. "Carefully" means living with prudence, wisdom, and a conscious awareness of God's presence and requirements. Hezekiah is resolving to live a life pleasing to God. He'll be mindful of his actions and choices, avoiding sin and striving for righteousness.
"because of the anguish of my soul.": This is the key to understanding his motivation. The "anguish of my soul" refers to the intense pain, fear, and sorrow he experienced during his illness and the realization of his mortality. He had faced death and experienced profound emotional distress. This near-death experience has profoundly changed him. It has made him deeply aware of his vulnerability and dependence on God. He doesn't want to forget the lessons he learned in that dark time. This serves as a reminder to live a life worthy of the gift he has been given.
Another interpretation is that the anguish of his soul is not just the past suffering, but the ongoing awareness of the frailty of life, the consequences of sin, and the need for continued repentance.

In summary, Isaiah 38:15 reflects:

Profound gratitude: Hezekiah is deeply thankful for God's miraculous healing.
A sense of awe and wonder: He's overwhelmed by God's direct intervention.
A renewed commitment to God: He's resolved to live a life of careful obedience and reverence, motivated by his near-death experience and the emotional turmoil it caused.
Humility: He recognizes his dependence on God and the preciousness of the gift of life.

This verse serves as a powerful reminder that experiencing God's grace and mercy should lead us to a deeper commitment to living a life that honors Him. It speaks to the transformative power of suffering and the importance of remembering God's faithfulness even after we have been delivered from hardship.