Isaiah 39:1-8

Isa 39:1

At that time Merodach-baladan, the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present to Hezekiah: for he had heard that he had been sick, and was recovered.

 

Hezekiah had experienced the miracles of God on his behalf and on behalf of Judah.  Here begins the portion of scripture which seems to indicate that either Hezekiah was in a state of elation or had sunk into a prideful mindset because Merodach-baladan had now sent letters and gift to Hezekiah congratulating him on his recovery from his sickness.  Hezekiah should have been on guard knowing that pagan kings always seem to have a personal agenda.  Sometimes there is sincerity because maybe the king of Babylon had heard about the great miracle of the sundial being turned backward ten degrees.  At this time Babylon and Assyria were at odds with each other and Merodach-baladan had hoped that Hezekiah would help keep Assyria busy while he began to form the anti-Assyrian forces in Babylon and to come against them when ready.

 

Isa 39:2

And Hezekiah was glad of them, and shewed them the house of his precious things, the silver, and the gold, and the spices, and the precious ointment, and all the house of his armour, and all that was found in his treasures: there was nothing in his house, nor in all his dominion, that Hezekiah shewed them not.

 

And Hezekiah had exceeding much riches and honour: and he made himself treasuries for silver, and for gold, and for precious stones, and for spices, and for shields, and for all manner of pleasant jewels; (2 Chronicles 32:27)  Hezekiah had much wealth and much came from other kings who sent gifts to him upon recovery from sickness.  He made a big mistake in showing the ambassadors of Babylon everything in his house and also in his domain.  These representatives would also take what they saw and bring it back to Babylon as information in case they would be planning an invasion.  Hezekiah revealed all his wealth and his strength which would make him ripe for invasion.  He should have learned his lesson from the Assyrian invasion in 701 B.C.

 

Isa 39:3

Then came Isaiah the prophet unto king Hezekiah, and said unto him, What said these men? and from whence came they unto thee? And Hezekiah said, They are come from a far country unto me, even from Babylon.

 

Now the same prophet who came to give Hezekiah good news about his recovery and extended life now comes to him concerning Hezekiah’s actions.  Isaiah then approaches the king and asks what did these men come to inquire about and from where did they come?  Hezekiah answered them and told him that they came from Babylon for the purpose of seeing him.  He made this all about him instead of keeping his guard up and watching what he was doing.

 

Isa 39:4

Then said he, What have they seen in thine house? And Hezekiah answered, All that is in mine house have they seen: there is nothing among my treasures that I have not shewed them.

 

Then Isaiah further questions him and asks him what they saw in his house?  Then in almost beaming pride Hezekiah responds that they saw everything and that he did not withhold anything from them.  He spoke as if he was expecting Isaiah to commend him on what he did but he was in for a surprise.  It was not necessary for Hezekiah to show them everything that he did.  Countries must not reveal all their secrets or it could mean their doom.

 

Isa 39:5

Then said Isaiah to Hezekiah, Hear the word of the LORD of hosts:

 

Then Isaiah brings a message to Hezekiah from the LORD concerning his actions with the representatives of Babylon.

 

Isa 39:6

Behold, the days come, that all that is in thine house, and that which thy fathers have laid up in store until this day, shall be carried to Babylon: nothing shall be left, saith the LORD.

 

Then Isaiah gives Hezekiah the prophecy which would come to pass starting in 605 B.C.  Everything which the fathers have stored up in the house of God and all the things in the house of Hezekiah shall be removed and taken to Babylon.  This is by the decree of the LORD and the final removal of all the people and their possessions will be taken to Babylon.  Not a thing will be left and that includes the instruments in the temple and the temple itself will also be destroyed.

 

Isa 39:7

And of thy sons that shall issue from thee, which thou shalt beget, shall they take away; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.

 

And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king's seed, and of the princes; (Daniel 1:3)  The descendants may have included Daniel since there was only one royal house in Judah.  The prophecy was that the issue from Hezekiah would be raised in Babylon and would be eunuchs in the palace of the king.  This does not mean that they were castrated but also means that they would be fully dedicated to the service of the king.  Manasseh succeeded Hezekiah on the throne which means the prophecy of Isaiah was to be fulfilled about 100 years later.  The three dates of siege were 605, 597, and 587 B.C.

 

Isa 39:8

Then said Hezekiah to Isaiah, Good is the word of the LORD which thou hast spoken. He said moreover, For there shall be peace and truth in my days.

 

Then Hezekiah said one of the most arrogant things he could.  First he states that the word of the LORD was good which Isaiah spoke to him.  He probably did not understand the severity of that prophecy and what it entailed since it was speaking about the destruction and captivity of Judah by Babylon.  Then he makes the arrogant statement that there will be peace and truth in his days and that is all that he seemed to be focused on.  Neville Chamberlain, the prime minister of Great Britain from May 1937 to May 1940 made a similar statement based on Hezekiah’s declaration.  He had gone to see Hitler and Hitler assured him there would peace between Germany and Great Britain.  He came back from the Munich conference concerning the Sudetenland on September 30, 1938 and proclaimed “Peace in our Time” and less than one year later Germany invaded Poland and England declared war on Germany.  So Chamberlain’s peace only lasted 11 months.  We must always realize that our actions today will affect people tomorrow and beyond.  Hezekiah did not realize that his actions in showing the representatives of Babylon would have dire circumstances at a later time.

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