Lesson 378: Isaiah 38:17
The Blueprint — The Verse
Surely it was for my benefit that I suffered such anguish. In your love you kept me from the pit of destruction; you have put all my sins behind your back.
Memorization Practice
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King James Version (KJV) — Public Domain.
The Context — The History
records Hezekiah's illness and prayer when Assyrian threat still loomed over JudahJudah was the fourth son of Jacob and Leah and the founder of the Tribe of Judah. His descendants became one of the most prominent tribes of Israel, producing the royal line of King David and ultimately the Messiah, Jesus Christ. Scripture identifies Judah as the tribe through which God's promise of kingship and redemption would be fulfilled. More. The king's psalm of recovery interprets suffering through mercy: anguish led to life, and God in love forgave sin, turning the king's face toward grateful praise.
The Narrative — The Lead-Up
Hezekiah was sick unto death, prayed, and received fifteen more years. He wrote of bitter soul-chastening, yet concluded his suffering brought benefit because God's love rescued him from the pit and cast his sins behind his back, restoring peace.
The Echo — Follow-on Verses
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O Lord, by these things men live, and in all these things is the life of my spirit: so wilt thou recover me, and make me to live.
Read the verse immediately before this lesson () to hear the lead-in to the passage.
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For the grave cannot praise thee, death can not celebrate thee: they that go down into the pit cannot hope for thy truth.
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Discussion
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How can suffering become benefit under God's hand?
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What does it mean that God puts sin behind his back?
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When has anguish led you to deeper gratitude for life?
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