SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 39:1-8
OBSERVATION:
Interesting that the king of Babylon sent a gift to Hezekiah because he was ill. Sounds like he was “networking”, making friends for future plans against Assyria. Hezekiah probably should have seen through this, but instead he gladly welcomes the envoys, letting them see EVERYTHING!
Was Hezekiah showing off? Perhaps he was hoping to win Babylon’s favour, but Isaiah reveals that his folly would one day work against him.
Isaiah predicts the fall of Assyria and the end of Jerusalem, with its wealth and citizens being taken to Babylon (the Babylonian Captivity). Isaiah’s prophecy was not a punishment for showing off the treasures to the envoys, but it was nevertheless folly. It was Hezekiah’s son Manasseh who was a major cause of the Babylonian captivity (2 Kings 21:11-15).
Hezekiah’s words sound selfish, but it is probably a “humble acceptance of the Lord’s judgment (2 Chronicles 32:26) and gratefulness for the intervening time of peace that the Lord in His mercy is granting His people.” (NIV Study Notes, 2 Kings 20:19).
APPLICATION:
God is on the throne. No matter how the leaders and the peoples strategize and plan, God’s purpose stands firm (Proverbs 19:21).
I sense a caution in this passage, against boasting, even over good things. When I show visitors our wonderful church addition, am I boasting of the Lord, or of our own accomplishments. I need to search my heart on this.
Like Hezekiah, I have experienced a time of “peace and security” in my lifetime. Yet there are ominous signs around the world of environmental and social disorder. We should not assume that things will always be as they are. Like Israel, we are called to be a light to the nations. They lost their place because they lost their purpose. Are we (as the church) facing this danger? As we see the unraveling of the “Christian” (and I use that term loosely) west, what will take its place?
We can be thankful for the time of peace and security we are enjoying, but we must also recommit ourselves to fulfilling God’s purpose for us as the Church (and as Christians).
PRAYER:
Lord, remind me why I am here. Remind us as the Church of what our purpose is. Help me not to get blinded by the peace and security and the treasures of the temple, so that I do not see the danger of worldliness in my own heart. Bring us back to our calling and purpose, to know AND to show Your grace and love to the nations. Amen.