The Babylonian captivity foretold. Here in Isaiah 39, we pick it up in correlation with 2Kings 20:12. Where chapter 38 left off with 2K.20:11, we pick it up here in Isa.39 and we find that king Hezekiah’s pride will be Judah’s downfall. As the king goes, so go the people. Isa.39 and verse 1 reads.
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.
This is important to break up his name. Merodach is H4781 Mᵉrôdâk pronounced mer-o-dawk’. And means; thy rebellion, a Babylonian idol. It was the chief idol (god) of Babylon. Now we can find his name in the Strong’s and it is H4757 Mᵉrôʼdak Balʼâdân, pronounced mer-o-dak’ bal-awdawn’. His proper name, and means; “Marduk has given a son”. 1. king of Babylon in the days of king Hezekiah of Judah. Baal worshipper, king of Babylon. I want you to think how easy pride can make a man fall.
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.
Hard to believe king Hezekiah would do this. He not only showed all his riches but his armies and capabilities of defense also. You never know when a nation will become your enemy. Watchmen know our enemies are always watching also.
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.
[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.
The LORD sent Isaiah to king Hezekiah, so we know that Isaiah already knew what had happened.
Isa.39:5] Then said Isaiah to Hezekiah, Hear the word of the LORD of hosts:
[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.
You see, the wealth of the nation was given generation to generation into the house of the LORD. And king Hezekiah showed all that he and Judah had to those from Babylon. And the LORD has spoken, meaning it will happen, and Babylon will prevail against Judah where the king of Assyria had failed.
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.
Because of what king Hezekiah had done, his children would be enslaved and serve the king of Babylon directly in the king’s palace.
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.
I can’t believe what he just said! Good is the word of the LORD? knowing that his children and the children of the LORD would go into captivity is astounding. But, look at what he said last; For there shall be peace and truth in my days. King Hezekiah knew that he only had fifteen years to live, and was not concerned for the people of whom God appointed him over. He was a bad king to begin with, then repents and is forgiven. Then he had the nerve to say this to Isaiah and to God. This reminds me of the parable Jesus taught us in Matthew 18, let’s not forget this valuable lesson. Mat.18 and verse 21 reads.
Mat.18:21] Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?
[22] Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.
Here is where we, myself included, need to always remember who it is that forgives and who is Judge. Jesus just said to forgive your fellow man 490 times.
Mat.18:23] Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.
[24] And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.
In this parable sin equates to debt. This man owed much, therefore he had much sin.
Mat.18:25] But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.
[26] The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
[27] Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.
Keeping in perspective with king Hezekiah, Hezekiah repented and by grace was forgiven.
Mat.18:28] But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.
[29] And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
[30] And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.
[31] So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.
[32] Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:
In this parable, the one who owed much and was forgiven, could not forgive someone who owed very little.
Mat.18:33] Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?
Here is where I want you to know I judge not any man, but I read the words of the LORD, and I can see where king Hezekiah showed no compassion or pity for his own people. And I find this to be a good example for us in these end times. The king of Babylon, Satan, will come. And we as God’s elect need to show compassion to our fellow servants of the LORD by teaching truth. This may be hard, and they may be hard headed, but truth and only truth can help them.
Mat.18:34] And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.
[35] So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.
Jesus taught us to forgive one another or our sins won’t be forgiven. Always remember repentance is a requirement for forgiveness. King Hezekiah showed no compassion for the people of Judah, nor his own children because of pride. He also knew that he would die in fifteen years, but that cannot be an excuse for lack of sympathy. What happens between him and the LORD is not our business, but let it be for our example in these end times. Let’s go to his throne.
Father, we thank you for your word and ask that you bless all that love you in Jesus’s precious name, Amen.
KJV along with The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of The Bible