“Envoys From Babylon”


Isaiah 39 gives an account of Hezekiah’s fall into sin after his recovery and the correction he had for it. The chapter relates the novel and essential fact of ambassadors being sent to Hezekiah by the King of Babylon, shortly after his illness, and tells of the reception which he gave them, of the message that Isaiah was commissioned to deliver to him from God in consequence, and of Hezekiah’s consent in the terms of the notice when it was conveyed to him. Hezekiah’ is almost totally self-centered. All he cares about is his own personal comfort and success. God gave Hezekiah the gift of 15 more years of life, but the added years did not make him a better or more godly man. First, part of Isaiah (Isaiah 1-38) mainly dealt with the present threat from the Assyrian Empire. The rest of Isaiah (Isaiah 39-66) will prophetically speak to the threat of the coming Babylonian Empire. Therefore, “This brief chapter is actually an introduction to the second half of Isaiah.” (Bultema: Faithful, Great Humanity, Highly Sensitive )
It reads in Isaiah 39:1-8 KJV> At that time Merodachbaladan, 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. And Hezekiah was glad of them, and showed 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 armor, and all that was found in his treasures: there was nothing in his house, nor in all his dominion, that Hezekiah showed them not. 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. 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 shown them. Then said Isaiah to Hezekiah, Hear the word of the Lord of hosts: 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. 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. Then said Hezekiah to Isaiah, Good is the word of the Lord which thou hast spoken. He said, ” There shall be peace and truth in my days.