CHAPTER 39 VISITORS FROM BABYLON. ‘At that time.' That is at the time of his having received the sign from God and having gone up to the house of Yahweh to acknowledge and give thanks for His power. What better time for ambassadors from Babylon to arrive? Surely he would now tell them to be on thei... [ Continue Reading ]
‘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 was sick and had recovered.' There can be little doubt that Merodach-baladan, who was at that time in rebellion against Assyria (this was probably early in 702 BC),... [ Continue Reading ]
‘And Hezekiah was glad of them, and showed them the house of his precious things, the silver, and the gold, and the spices, and the precious oil, 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 did not s... [ Continue Reading ]
‘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?” And Hezekiah said, “They have come to me from a far country, even from Babylon.” Isaiah had seen these rich and powerful lords, and knew that mischief was afoot. But he wa... [ Continue Reading ]
‘Then he said, “What have they seen in your house?” It must have been with great apprehension that Isaiah asked this question, for he knew how much depended on it. He must have had high hopes after God's great signs and deliverance that Hezekiah would trust totally in God and not look to alliances,... [ Continue Reading ]
‘Then Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “The word of Yahweh which you have spoken is good.” He said moreover, “For there will be peace and truth in my days.” ' That Hezekiah lacked Messianic ambition comes out clearly here. He was not concerned with the distant future. He had no vision of the future that God... [ Continue Reading ]