Isaiah 39

Chapter Overview

What happens in Isaiah 39

Envoys from Babylon visit Hezekiah after his recovery from illness. Hezekiah proudly shows them all his treasures and everything in his kingdom. Isaiah confronts the king with a disturbing prophecy: everything Hezekiah has shown them will one day be carried off to Babylon, and his own descendants will serve in the Babylonian palace. This short chapter serves as a bridge between the Assyrian crisis and the Babylonian exile.

Scripture

The Babylonian Visitors

Study note

Merodach-Baladan was a Babylonian king who was often in rebellion against Assyria. His envoys came to congratulate Hezekiah on his recovery, but likely also to discuss a military alliance against Assyria. Flattered by the attention from such a distant and powerful nation, Hezekiah showed them absolutely everything: his treasury, his armory, his storehouses, and all his wealth. He held nothing back.

1 Around that time, Merodach-Baladan son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a gift to Hezekiah. He had heard that Hezekiah had been sick and gotten better. 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.

2 Hezekiah was happy about the visit. He showed them everything in his treasure rooms — the silver, the gold, the spices, the fine oils, his whole weapon collection, and all his stored-up goods. There was not one thing in his palace or kingdom that he did not show them. 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.

Isaiah's Warning and Hezekiah's Response

Study note

Isaiah confronted Hezekiah with pointed questions. When the king admitted he had shown the Babylonians everything, Isaiah delivered a prophecy that would take over a hundred years to fulfill. Everything in the palace would be carried to Babylon, and Hezekiah's own descendants would serve as officials in the Babylonian palace. This prophecy was fulfilled in 586 BC when Nebuchadnezzar destroyed Jerusalem. Hezekiah's response seems to accept the judgment, saying at least there will be peace in his own lifetime.

3 Then the prophet Isaiah came to King Hezekiah and asked, 'What did those men want, and where did they come from?' Hezekiah answered, 'They came all the way from Babylon to visit me.' 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.

4 Isaiah asked, 'What did they see in your palace?' Hezekiah said, 'They saw everything. There is nothing in my storerooms that I did not show them.' 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.

5 Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, 'Listen to what the Lord who rules over all has to say:' Then said Isaiah to Hezekiah, Hear the word of the LORD of hosts:

6 'The day is coming when everything in your palace — everything your ancestors stored up until now — will be hauled off to Babylon. Not a thing will be left behind, says the Lord.' 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.

7 'And some of your very own children and grandchildren will be taken away. They will be forced to serve in the palace of the king of Babylon.' 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.

8 Hezekiah said to Isaiah, 'The word of the Lord that you have spoken is good.' He was thinking, 'At least there will be peace and security while I am alive.' 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.

Key Themes

Themes in Isaiah 39

The danger of pride after blessingShowing off to the wrong audienceProphecy of the babylonian exileThe transition from assyrian to babylonian threat

Apply This Today

Living Isaiah 39

It is dangerously easy to become careless after experiencing God's miraculous deliverance. Hezekiah showed everything to the Babylonians because he was flattered by their attention. Our greatest vulnerability often comes not during crisis but during the success that follows. Guard what God has entrusted to you, and do not give your treasures to those who will one day use them against you.

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