1 At that time Merodach-baladan the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent envoys with letters and a present to Hezekiah, for he heard that he had been sick and had recovered.
2 And Hezekiah welcomed them gladly. And he showed them his treasure house, the silver, the gold, the spices, the precious oil, his whole armory, all that was found in his storehouses. There was nothing in his house or in all his realm that Hezekiah did not show them.
3 Then Isaiah the prophet came to King Hezekiah, and said to him, “What did these men say? And from where did they come to you?” Hezekiah said, “They have come to me from a far country, from Babylon.”
4 Then Isaiah the prophet said to King Hezekiah, “Hear the word of the Lord of hosts:
5 Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, “Hear the word of the Lord of hosts:
6 Behold, the days are coming, when all that is in your house, and that which your fathers have stored up till this day, shall be carried to Babylon. Nothing shall be left, says the Lord.
7 And some of your own sons, who will come from you, whom you will father, shall be taken away, and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.”
8 Then Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “The word of the Lord that you have spoken is good.” For he thought, “There will be peace and security in my days.”
The True Meaning of Isaiah 39
The Book of Isaiah is attributed to the prophet Isaiah, who lived during the 8th century BCE in the kingdom of Judah. Isaiah’s writings provide valuable insights into the political and religious climate of that era as a prominent figure during the reigns of several Judean kings. King Hezekiah receives an unexpected visit from envoys of the Babylonian king, marking a pivotal moment in Judah’s history in this chapter. This encounter foreshadows the impending downfall of Judah and the eventual exile of its people to Babylon. The chapter also highlights the importance of trust in God and the consequences of relying on worldly alliances. Isaiah unfolds his warnings and prophecies as we delve into this passage, echoing the themes of judgment and redemption woven throughout the biblical narrative. The events described here have far-reaching implications, not only for the people of Judah but for the entire region and the course of salvation history.
Isaiah 39:1-2
King Hezekiah of Judah received envoys from King Merodach-Baladan of Babylon in Isaiah 39:1-2. The verse reads, “At that time Merodach-Baladan son of Baladan king of Babylon sent Hezekiah letters and a gift, because he had heard of his illness and recovery. Hezekiah received the envoys gladly and showed them what was in his storehouses—the silver, the gold, the spices, the fine olive oil—his entire armory and everything found among his treasures. There was nothing in his palace or in all his kingdom that Hezekiah did not show them. King Hezekiah makes a grave mistake by showing off his wealth and treasures to the Babylonian envoys in this section. Instead of glorifying God for his healing and recovery from illness, Hezekiah chose to boast about his own riches. This act of vanity and pride would ultimately lead to the downfall of Judah as Isaiah the prophet later foretold the Babylonian exile of the Israelites.
The story of King Hezekiah is one of highs and lows. He was known as a righteous and faithful king who trusted in God. Just before this incident, Hezekiah had been on his deathbed and pleaded with the Lord to extend his life. God granted his request and healed him, providing a sign through the shadow on the sundial moving backward (Isaiah 38). However, instead of giving glory to God for his miraculous healing, Hezekiah’s actions with the Babylonian envoys reveal his pride and reliance on worldly power.
This passage serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of pride and misplaced priorities. Proverbs 16:18 warns, “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” Hezekiah’s focus on displaying his wealth rather than acknowledging God’s grace ultimately led to the vulnerability of his kingdom to Babylonian invasion. It serves as a reminder for us today to remain humble, giving glory to God in all circumstances and trusting in His provision rather than our earthly possessions. Isaiah 39:1-2 teaches us the importance of humility and recognizing that all good things come from God. It warns against the pitfalls of pride and self-reliance, emphasizing the timeless message of putting our trust in the Lord rather than in worldly wealth or power. We should learn from Hezekiah’s mistake and strive to live lives that give glory to God in all things.
Isaiah 39:3-4
King Hezekiah of Judah and envoys from Babylon have an exchange in Isaiah 39:3-4. These envoys had heard that Hezekiah had been ill and had recovered miraculously, and they came to congratulate him. Hezekiah, in his pride, decided to show off his treasures to these visitors from Babylon. He displayed all the wealth and resources of the kingdom, including the silver, gold, spices, and precious oils among other things, essentially revealing all the riches of his kingdom.
This act of Hezekiah can be seen as problematic for a few reasons. Firstly, by flaunting the treasures of his kingdom to Babylon, Hezekiah was inadvertently displaying a lack of trust in God’s protection and provision for Judah. Instead of recognizing that all the wealth he possessed was a gift from God, Hezekiah chose to rely on his own resources and showboating to gain favor with a foreign nation.
Secondly, Isaiah had warned Hezekiah that as a consequence of his actions, all the treasures he had displayed would eventually be carried off to Babylon, along with some of his descendants who would become eunuchs in the palace of the Babylonian king. This prophecy was fulfilled years later when the Babylonians invaded Judah, destroyed the temple, and took many Israelites into exile in Babylon, including Hezekiah’s descendants such as Daniel and his friends.
This story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of pride, self-reliance, and misplaced trust in earthly treasures. It emphasizes the importance of putting our faith and trust in God rather than in material possessions or alliances with earthly powers. Throughout the Bible, we see the consequences of pride and disobedience, as well as the importance of humility and obedience to God’s will (Proverbs 16:18, James 4:6). The story of Hezekiah’s interaction with the Babylonian envoys illustrates how the consequences of our actions can have far-reaching effects, impacting not only ourselves but also future generations. It underscores the timeless message of seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, knowing that all these things will be added unto us (Matthew 6:33).
Isaiah 39:5-7
King Hezekiah of Judah has a conversation with emissaries from Babylon in Isaiah 39:5-7. The verse reads, “Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, ‘Hear the word of the Lord of hosts: Behold, the days are coming, when all that is in your house, and that which your fathers have stored up till this day, shall be carried to Babylon. Nothing shall be left, says the Lord. And some of your own sons, who shall be born to you, shall be taken away, and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.’”
This passage is significant for several reasons. Firstly, it serves as a prophecy of the Babylonian exile that would later come to pass. The mention of Hezekiah’s treasures and descendants being taken captive to Babylon foreshadows the events that unfolded when Babylon conquered Judah and exiled the people to Babylon. This illustrates how the consequences of sin and disobedience to God’s commands can result in severe judgment and punishment.
Secondly, the mention of Hezekiah’s descendants becoming eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon highlights the depth of the humiliation and loss that the people of Judah would face. Being made eunuchs not only symbolizes the loss of power, but it also signifies the stripping away of their identity and dignity. This serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of turning away from God and the severity of the judgment that can follow. This passage underscores the importance of obedience to God’s commands and the consequences of straying from His will in a broader sense. Throughout the Bible, we see numerous instances where disobedience leads to judgment and exile. However, even in the midst of judgment, there is always a message of hope and redemption. God’s mercy and grace are ever-present, and He offers the opportunity for repentance and restoration.
This prophecy in Isaiah 39 also points to the sovereignty of God. Despite the actions of individuals or nations, God remains in control of all things. The fulfillment of this prophecy serves as a testament to God’s faithfulness and His ability to bring about His plans and purposes, even in the midst of human disobedience. Isaiah 39:5-7 warns of the grave consequences of turning away from God and emphasizes the importance of heeding His word. It serves as a reminder of the need for repentance, obedience, and reliance on God’s grace. The passage also highlights the overarching theme of God’s sovereignty and faithfulness throughout the Bible.
Isaiah 39:8
Isaiah prophesied about the future of King Hezekiah and the kingdom of Judah in Isaiah 39:8. The verse reads: “Then Hezekiah said to Isaiah, ‘The word of the Lord that you have spoken is good.’ For he thought, ‘There will be peace and security in my days. Let’s first delve into King Hezekiah’s character and background. Hezekiah was a king of Judah who reigned for 29 years. He was known for his faithfulness to God, his reforms to rid the land of idolatry, and his trust in the Lord during times of crisis. Hezekiah was a unique king as he not only trusted in God but also sought the counsel of prophets like Isaiah. Hezekiah’s response to Isaiah’s prophecy of the Babylonian captivity that would eventually come upon Judah is seen in this verse. Hezekiah’s reaction is intriguing as he acknowledges the goodness of the word of the Lord through Isaiah. However, his perception is somewhat self-centered as he seems relieved that the peace and security mentioned in the prophecy would be during his reign and not immediately affecting him.
This response of Hezekiah reflects human nature and our tendency to focus on our own immediate circumstances rather than the long-term consequences down the line. It serves as a reminder for us to not only seek God’s will for our own lives but also for the generations to come.
This passage also highlights the faithfulness of Isaiah as a prophet. Isaiah had been warning the kings of Judah about the impending judgment of God due to their disobedience. Despite facing opposition and rejection, Isaiah faithfully delivered God’s messages. This serves as a lesson for us about the importance of heeding the warnings and prophecies found in God’s Word, even if they may not align with our desires or immediate circumstances. This verse in the broader context of the book of Isaiah foreshadows the eventual fall of Judah to the Babylonians and the exile of the people. It underscores the consequences of sin and disobedience, but also points towards the hope of restoration and redemption that is a prevalent theme throughout the book. This prophecy sets the stage for the rest of the book of Isaiah where we see a mix of judgment, punishment, but also promises of restoration and the coming Messiah. Isaiah 39:8 serves as a poignant reminder of the complex interplay between human nature, God’s prophecies, and the enduring themes of sin, judgment, redemption, and restoration that run throughout the Bible. It prompts us to reflect on our own responses to God’s word and challenges us to consider the broader implications of our actions beyond our own lifetimes.
After Isaiah 39
The king had foolishly shown his treasures to the Babylonian envoys. This act of pride and vanity would have grave consequences for Judah. The prophet Isaiah warned the king that one day, all that he had shown the Babylonians would be carried off to Babylon. The king’s response showed a lack of concern for the future, as he thought, “At least there will be peace and security in my lifetime.”
But the reverend knew that the people of Judah could not be complacent. The storm clouds of Babylon’s ambition were gathering on the horizon. The prophet Isaiah would deliver a message of both judgment and hope in the next chapter – warning of the coming exile, but also promising restoration and the coming of the Messiah. The people would need to heed the prophet’s words and prepare their hearts, for the day of reckoning was near.
Reverend Ogunlade is a seasoned Church Minister with over three decades of experience in guiding and nurturing congregations. With profound wisdom and a serene approach, Reverend Ogunlade has carried out various pastoral duties, including delivering uplifting sermons, conducting religious ceremonies, and offering sage counsel to individuals seeking spiritual guidance. Their commitment to fostering harmony and righteousness within their community is exemplified through their compassionate nature, making them a beloved and trusted figure among the congregation.