Isaiah 39
8 verses
This final chapter of the historical narrative recounts the visit of Babylonian envoys to Hezekiah, establishing the transition to the theme of Babylonian exile that dominates the latter portions of Isaiah. The narrative shows Hezekiah welcoming the envoys and displaying to them his treasures, his palace, and all his wealth and resources, apparently to demonstrate Judah's strength and prosperity. Isaiah pronounces judgment on Hezekiah, declaring that the treasures will be carried away to Babylon and that the king's descendants will serve as eunuchs in the Babylonian palace. The prophecy establishes that Hezekiah's boastful display of wealth and his apparent reliance on human strength invite divine judgment and that the future of Judah lies in Babylonian exile. Yet the narrative concludes with Hezekiah accepting the word of the Lord with apparent resignation, saying "the word of the Lord which you have spoken is good," indicating that the king recognizes the necessity of judgment. Isaiah 39 serves as the bridge between the crisis of the Assyrian threat (resolved through divine intervention) and the anticipated crisis of Babylonian exile (which will last seventy years). The chapter establishes that judgment through exile is part of God's redemptive plan and that the covenant people must pass through this trial. The transition from Isaiah's early oracles to the Book of Comfort (chapters 40-55) is motivated by the historical reality of exile that Hezekiah's actions foreshadow.
VERSES IN THIS CHAPTER
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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5
Then said Isaiah to Hezekiah, Hear the word of the Lord of hosts:
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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.
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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.
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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.
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