‘Behold, the days are coming when all that is in your house, and what your fathers have accumulated until this day, shall be carried to Babylon; nothing shall be left,’ says the Lord.  Isaiah 39: 6

Hezekiah’s Folly and Exile

When Hezekiah prays for recovery from his terminal illness, God hears and 15 years are added to his life.  When he recovers he receives a delegation from Babylon, come with congratulations.  Hezekiah shows  them his treasures and the defenses of Jerusalem.  Rebuked by Isaiah, Hezekiah objects:  “But Babylon is so far away!” (39:3).  The point is that Isaiah’s earlier prophecies have often spoken of Babylon as the future enemy and persecutor of God’s people!  Even godly king Hezekiah has not truly heard and understood God to his word through Isaiah, and the insensitivity of God’s people to the message of repentance and warning which Isaiah has delivered.

⇒ None of us want to hear a message like Isaiah 39:6.  It’s bad news.  But we must listen to the warning with full attention to avoid losing everything we have.  Unlike king David, ultimately, Hezekiah’s focus was on himself.  Even a godly man can change over time and become proud and selfish.  It’s important to be watchful, humble ourselves, and rely on God only.

So Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “The word of the Lord which you have spoken is good!” For he said, “At least there will be peace and truth in my days.” v. 8  

Hezekiah Receives Envoys from Babylon

39 1  At 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. 2  And Hezekiah was pleased with them, and showed them the house of his treasures–the silver and gold, the spices and precious ointment, and all his armory–all that was found among his treasures. There was nothing in his house or in all his dominion that Hezekiah did not show them. 3  Then Isaiah the prophet went to King Hezekiah, and said to him, “What did these men say, and from where did they come to you?” So Hezekiah said, “They came to me from a far country, from Babylon.” 4  And he said, “What have they seen in your house?” So Hezekiah answered, “They have seen all that is in my house; there is nothing among my treasures that I have not shown them.”

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 what your fathers have accumulated until this day, shall be carried to Babylon; nothing shall be left,’ says the Lord. 7  ‘And they shall take away some of your sons who will descend from you, whom you will beget; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.’ ” 8  So Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “The word of the Lord which you have spoken is good!” For he said, “At least there will be peace and truth in my days.”