Study Desk

I will rescue you and this city of Jerusalem from the emperor of Assyria, and I will continue to protect the city." Isaiah told the king to put a paste made of figs on his boil, and he would get well. Then King Hezekiah asked, "What is the sign to prove that I will be able to go to the Temple?"

Isaiah replied, "The Lord will give you a sign to prove that he will keep his promise.

After Hezekiah recovered from his illness, he wrote this song of praise:

Isaiah told the king to put a paste made of figs on his boil, and he would get well.

Then King Hezekiah asked, "What is the sign to prove that I will be able to go to the Temple?" Isaiah replied, "The Lord will give you a sign to prove that he will keep his promise. On the stairway built by King Ahaz, the Lord will make the shadow go back ten steps." And the shadow moved back ten steps. After Hezekiah recovered from his illness, he wrote this song of praise: I thought that in the prime of life I was going to the world of the dead, Never to live out my life. I thought that in this world of the living I would never again see the Lord Or any living person. My life was cut off and ended, Like a tent that is taken down, Like cloth that is cut from a loom. I thought that God was ending my life. All night I cried out with pain, As if a lion were breaking my bones. I thought that God was ending my life. My voice was thin and weak, And I moaned like a dove. My eyes grew tired from looking to heaven. Lord , rescue me from all this trouble. What can I say? The Lord has done this. My heart is bitter, and I cannot sleep. Lord, I will live for you, for you alone; Heal me and let me live. My bitterness will turn into peace. You save my life from all danger; You forgive all my sins. No one in the world of the dead can praise you; The dead cannot trust in your faithfulness. It is the living who praise you, As I praise you now. Parents tell their children how faithful you are. Lord , you have healed me. We will play harps and sing your praise, Sing praise in your Temple as long as we live.

Hezekiah welcomed the messengers and showed them his wealth—his silver and gold, his spices and perfumes, and all his military equipment. There was nothing in his storerooms or anywhere in his kingdom that he did not show them.

King Hezekiah understood this to mean that there would be peace and security during his lifetime, so he replied, "The message you have given me from the Lord is good."

He will take care of his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs together and carry them in his arms; he will gently lead their mothers.

Can anyone measure the ocean by handfuls or measure the sky with his hands? Can anyone hold the soil of the earth in a cup or weigh the mountains and hills on scales?

It was made by the one who sits on his throne above the earth and beyond the sky; the people below look as tiny as ants. He stretched out the sky like a curtain, like a tent in which to live.

Look up at the sky! Who created the stars you see? The one who leads them out like an army, he knows how many there are and calls each one by name! His power is so great— not one of them is ever missing!

Don't you know? Haven't you heard? The Lord is the everlasting God; he created all the world. He never grows tired or weary. No one understands his thoughts.

"Who was it that brought the conqueror from the east and makes him triumphant wherever he goes? Who gives him victory over kings and nations? His sword strikes them down as if they were dust. His arrows scatter them like straw before the wind.

He will not shout or raise his voice or make loud speeches in the streets.

He will not lose hope or courage; he will establish justice on the earth. Distant lands eagerly wait for his teaching."

God created the heavens and stretched them out; he fashioned the earth and all that lives there; he gave life and breath to all its people. And now the Lord God says to his servant,

Sing a new song to the Lord ; sing his praise, all the world! Praise him, you that sail the sea; praise him, all creatures of the sea! Sing, distant lands and all who live there!

The Lord goes out to fight like a warrior; he is ready and eager for battle. He gives a war cry, a battle shout; he shows his power against his enemies.

The Lord is a God who is eager to save, so he exalted his laws and teachings, and he wanted his people to honor them.

But now his people have been plundered; they are locked up in dungeons and hidden away in prisons. They were robbed and plundered, with no one to come to their rescue.