Isa 38:3 | JFB | STEP | 3. He mentions his past religious consistency, not as a boast or a ground for justification; but according to the Old Testament dispensation, wherein temporal rewards (as long life, &c., ) followed legal obedience, he makes his religious conduct a plea for asking the prolongation of his life. walked-- Life is a journey; the pious "walk with God" ( ; ). perfect-- sincere; not absolutely perfect, but aiming towards it ( ); single-minded in walking as in the presence of God ( ). The letter of the Old Testament legal righteousness was, however, a standard very much below the spirit of the law as unfolded by Christ ( ; , 14, 17). wept sore-- Josephus says, the reason why he wept so sorely was that being childless, he was leaving the kingdom without a successor. How often our wishes, when gratified, prove curses! Hezekiah lived to have a son; that son was the idolater Manasseh, the chief cause of God's wrath against Judah, and of the overthrow of the kingdom ( , ).

‏ Isaiah 38:3

3. He mentions his past religious consistency, not as a boast or a ground for justification; but according to the Old Testament dispensation, wherein temporal rewards (as long life, &c., Ex 20:12) followed legal obedience, he makes his religious conduct a plea for asking the prolongation of his life.

walked--Life is a journey; the pious "walk with God" (Ge 5:24; 1Ki 9:4).

perfect--sincere; not absolutely perfect, but aiming towards it (Mt 5:45); single-minded in walking as in the presence of God (Ge 17:1). The letter of the Old Testament legal righteousness was, however, a standard very much below the spirit of the law as unfolded by Christ (Mt 5:20-48; 2Co 3:6, 14, 17).

wept sore--Josephus says, the reason why he wept so sorely was that being childless, he was leaving the kingdom without a successor. How often our wishes, when gratified, prove curses! Hezekiah lived to have a son; that son was the idolater Manasseh, the chief cause of God's wrath against Judah, and of the overthrow of the kingdom (2Ki 23:26, 27).