Chapters 39 & 39 Part 2 - The folly of 15 extra years Chapter 39

When Hezekiah was sick unto death (38:1) he was seeing Sennacherib's army at the gate ready to attack. Often we never consider why he asked for the extra time. Most I have heard comment on this say it was for only selfish and for his own glory. But consider this could Hezekiah been thinking about what would happen to Jerusalem if he was not there to steady the people. In 2Chronicles 32:8 the people rested because of Hezekiah's words. Could he have been fearful that the next in line would not believe the LORD? But remember in 37:7 the LORD promised a blast would come upon the Assyrian army, victory was promised. Did The LORD need Hezekiah to defeat the mighty Assyrian army? No He did not!

I believe Hezekiah asked for unselfish reasons yet we saw last lesson he may have startes entering a period of not completely believing.

 

What did 15 more years bring

1) We know the story of his son Manasseh, being born during those 15 years he was 12 years old when be began to reign. He started out a wicked, wicked king restored the high places of false worship and sacrifice. But he also remember who to turn to when defeat seem sure and tore down the high places and worshipped the LORD.

 

2) Chapter 39 begins after 185,000 Assyrian soldiers are blasted,  Hezekiah is healed, and he had once again been blessed by The LORD God of Israel with uncountable wealth.

2b)The son of the king of Babylon sent letters and a gift by ambassadors to Hezekiah they seem to be glad Hezekiah was well again. Hezekiah was glad another kingdom was honoring him.

2c) He shows the Babylonians all the wealth in Judah not just in Jerusalem but all his dominion.

 

3) Verse 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 - Remember

Deuteronomy 17:17 - In Hezekiah's eyes who did the wealth of Judah belong to at this time - him not HIM.

Could the son of the king of Babylon come with treachery  - Woe #6 - Isaiah 33:1. after the blast the Assyrian army would have been greatly weakened and in disarray. Could the king of Babylon have felt that the time for Babylon to rule the world was close.

 

Verses 5,6 & 7 The LORD's response

Everything - wealth that was shown, was going to be given to the ones Hezekiah welcomed with open arms. It wasn't going to stop at the gold.  It went on to the real wealth - his sons - his descendants would also be carried away and made eunuchs in Babylon. They could not reproduce for all practical purposes the desolation was going to come to the house of Hezekiah his belief in the LORD would be ended and not passed on.

 

It was over 100 years later when Babylon takes Daniel, three others and the other of the king's seed, and of the princes; children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king's palace,

Daniel 1:3&4 - in Isaiah 39: The LORD calls them his sons Why?

1) of royal decent

2) Daniel,  were also his sons in belief. They knew the LORD that Hezekiah knew.

3) The wisdom and faith of Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah ended with them, they had no children to raise  

 

Verse 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. 2Ki 20:19 Then said Hezekiah unto Isaiah, Good is the word of the LORD which thou hast spoken. And he said, Is it not good, if peace and truth be in my days?  But what about the future - 70 years of desolation?

Which was the greater problem - Hezekiah showing Babylon all the wealth or Hezekiah robbing God of the glory due His name through claiming the treasures as his own.

Hezekiah seems to be overtaken with the little i am instead of The Great I AM.