Human Mortality
J. W. Colenso, D. D. Isaiah 38:1 In those days was Hezekiah sick to death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came to him, and said to him, Thus said the LORD… I. We have here set before us THE FACT OF OUR MORTALITY. "Thou shalt die, and not live." How apt we are to think of other people's death, but not of our own. We are ready to say, "O! it was no wonder that little, weak infant died — it was no wonder that worn-out, aged man or woman died — it was no wonder that sickly person died." And when we hear of sudden deaths, by some strange disease or accident, we have a secret feeling that the same thing is not likely to happen to ourselves. There was something peculiar in their condition or circumstances, which made them more open than ourselves to that awful visitation. Yet why all this foolish hiding of the truth? Until we are able boldly and peacefully to face this truth, there is no real comfort for us in this world. When our Almighty Father in heaven sends to us such a message as this, "Thou shalt die, and not live," it is not to vex and to distress us, but only to awaken in us those thoughts which are needful for us in our present state of being. II. HOW WE ARE TO "SET OUR HOUSE IN ORDER," so as to be able to meet with calmness both the actual coming of death and the thought of its coming. With the best of men, the near approach of that last dread hour is a time of deep solemnity. 1. The first point in this work is to see that our hope for eternity is placed upon a right foundation; and none other can be found but that which God Himself has laid for us to build on — namely, His own free mercies in His dear Son, Jesus Christ. 2. If we would "set our house" truly "in order," we must remember that there is a work to be wrought in us, as well as for us. "Without holiness no man shall see the Lord!" (J. W. Colenso, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came unto him, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order: for thou shalt die, and not live. WEB: In those days was Hezekiah sick and near death. Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, came to him, and said to him, "Thus says Yahweh, 'Set your house in order, for you will die, and not live.'"