Isaiah 39 (Listen)
39:1 At that time Merodach-baladan the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent envoys with letters and a present to Hezekiah, for he heard that he had been sick and had recovered. 2 And Hezekiah welcomed them gladly. And he showed them his treasure house, the silver, the gold, the spices, the precious oil, his whole armory, all that was found in his storehouses. There was nothing in his house or in all his realm that Hezekiah did not show them. 3 Then Isaiah the prophet came to King Hezekiah, and said to him, “What did these men say? And from where did they come to you?” Hezekiah said, “They have come to me from a far country, from Babylon.” 4 He said, “What have they seen in your house?” Hezekiah answered, “They have seen all that is in my house. There is nothing in my storehouses that I did not show 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 that which your fathers have stored up till this day, shall be carried to Babylon. Nothing shall be left, says the LORD. 7 And some of your own sons, who will come from you, whom you will father, shall be taken away, and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.” 8 Then Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “The word of the LORD that you have spoken is good.” For he thought, “There will be peace and security in my days.”
Devotional:
Hezekiah was pleased with the letters, and he showed the envoys his treasure house—the silver, the gold, the spices, and the precious oil—and all his armory, and everything that was found in his treasuries. There was nothing in his palace and in all his realm that Hezekiah did not show them. (Isaiah 39:2)
In Isaiah 39, King Baladan of Babylon sends his son with a gift for King Hezekiah because Hezekiah has recently recovered from an illness (Isaiah 38:5). But there is more going on here than meets the eye. As they meet, they form an alliance. In the process, Hezekiah turned his back on a far greater alliance available to the people of Judah – their covenant with God. Hezekiah shows the Babylonians his treasures to prove that he has resources to bring to their alliance. But Babylon’s power and wealth are no match for the help God offers His people. Again, we are reminded that in the trials and challenges of life, we are called to trust in God. Where is your trust today?
Pray It: Father, I confess that I often see your hand at work in my life but then turn back to trust others more than you. Thank you for forgiving me for my lack of trust in you and please give me the grace to trust you more and more. Amen.
Share it: Who can you share a verse or thought from this passage with today?