Ch 39 / 66~1 min
YeshayahuChapter 39
Babylon Foreshadows Coming Captivity
Hezekiah's foolish display to Babylon's envoys foreshadow the exile that will follow and the need for the Servant of YHWH who will gather the scattered and comfort the exiled.
- Envoys From Babylon
Babylon sends envoys, and Hezekiah shows them everything. Pride after blessing opens the door to future loss.
- 1At that time, Merodach-baladan the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present to Hezekiah, for he heard that he had been sick, and had recovered.
- 2Hezekiah was pleased with them, and showed them the house of his precious things, the silver, the gold, the spices, and the precious oil, 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 didn’t show them.
- 3Then Isaiah the prophet came to King Hezekiah, and asked him, “What did these men say? From where did they come to you?” Hezekiah said, “They have come from a country far from me, even from Babylon.”
- 4Then he asked, “What have they seen in your house?” Hezekiah answered, “They have seen all that is in my house. There is nothing amongst my treasures that I have not shown them.”
- Isaiah Foretells the Exile
Isaiah warns that everything Babylon saw will be carried to Babylon. Today's boasting becomes tomorrow's loss.
- 5Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, “Hear the word of YHWH Tzeva'ot:
- 6‘Behold, the days are coming when all that is in your house, and that which your fathers have stored up until today, will be carried to Babylon. Nothing will be left,’ says YHWH.
- 7‘They will take away your sons who will issue from you, whom you shall father, and they will be eunuchs in the king of Babylon’s palace.’”
- 8Then Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “YHWH’s word which you have spoken is good.” He said moreover, “For there will be peace and truth in my days.”