Isaiah 39
Summary for Isa 39:1-8: 39:1-8 a Hezekiah was exemplary in godliness, prayer, and care for the people of Jerusalem. But he failed the Lord by parading his financial and military strength before the envoys from Babylon. 39:1 b Merodach-baladan, the king of Babylon (722–710 and 704–703 BC), planned to rebel against Assyria and sought help from Hezekiah. His envoys visited after Hezekiah had been very sick and had recovered but before Sennacherib’s final attack in 701 BC.39:2 c silver ... aromatic oils ... his armory: Showing these treasures demonstrated to Babylon’s envoys that Hezekiah had the resources to be a worthy ally.
Summary for Isa 39:6-7: 39:6-7 d carried off to Babylon: This prophecy was given before the prophecy of the rescue of Jerusalem (37:35 e). Although this pronouncement of judgment and exile comes as a surprise ending to the story of Hezekiah, the exile of both Israel and Judah had been in the background from the beginning (10:3-4 f, 20-23 g). The Lord had promised that he would spare Judah and Jerusalem when the Assyrians attacked in 701 BC, but he had clearly revealed to Isaiah that worse things would come if they did not change their ways. God had demonstrated the truth of his sovereignty and trustworthiness in his defeat of the Assyrians, but that did not mean the people had changed. The only way the promises of 2:1-5 h and 4:2-6 i were going to be realized was through the fires of judgment (4:4 j). Until the burning coal of exile was applied to the nation’s unclean lips (6:5-7 k), their mission to the nations would fail.
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