8. peace . . . in my days—The punishment was not, as in David's case ( :-), sent in his time. True repentance acquiesces in all God's ways and finds cause of thanksgiving in any mitigation. read more
The Babylonian envoys ch. 39 read more
The phrase "At that time" (cf. Isaiah 38:1) anticipates a specially significant event and ties it to what preceded in chapter 38. As this verse explains, the events that follow happened after Hezekiah had recovered from his illness (Isaiah 38:5). This was most likely during the year 701 B.C. before Sennacherib’s invasion of Jerusalem (chs. 36-37; cf. Isaiah 38:6; 2 Kings 18:16).Merodach-baladan (Cuneiform "Marduk-apal-iddina," lit. the god Marduk has given a son) raised Babylon to a position... read more
Hezekiah received Merodach-baladan warmly since he had expressed sympathy toward him and because the Babylonians shared Judah’s antagonism toward Assyria. But showing the Babylonians all of his wealth and military resources went beyond what Hezekiah needed to do for such a friendly visitor. The Lord Jesus’ responses to the flattery of Nicodemus (John 3) and the rich young ruler (Mark 10) provide examples of how Hezekiah should have responded. Hezekiah’s response expressed a desire to share... read more
God’s Spirit and Hezekiah’s failure to trust the Lord undoubtedly moved Isaiah to confront Hezekiah. First, the prophet asked about the visit of the Babylonian ambassadors and what Hezekiah had done with them. Hezekiah told the truth and put his actions in the best light, but he did not relate what the envoys had said or explain his motive. He put the best possible light on his actions. Nevertheless he put his own neck in the noose by answering Isaiah’s simple questions as he did (cf. Galatians... read more
Isaiah informed the king that the Babylonians would end up taking everything that Hezekiah had shown the ambassadors back to Babylon-not as resources for opposition to Assyria but as the spoils of war. This is the first explicit reference to the Babylonian captivity in Isaiah. Many critics of the Bible who do not believe in predictive prophecy have used this reference as evidence of a much later date of writing than Isaiah’s day. The ambassadors had come "from Babylon" (Isaiah 39:3), and they... read more
Some of Hezekiah’s descendants would also be taken (captive) to Babylon. It is very probable that at the time of the events in chapters 36-39 Hezekiah had no children. His son, Manasseh, began reigning when he was 12 years old, and Hezekiah died a year later, in 686 B.C. Thus, Isaiah’s announcement here may have sparked a hope-in Hezekiah’s mind-for some descendants. As usual, God’s promise of judgment contained some hope. This prediction of Hezekiah’s descendants became true of the king’s... read more
Hezekiah’s response to Isaiah’s announcement of God’s punishment for his lack of faith was deeply disappointing. Formerly, when Isaiah had announced coming divine judgment, the king had mourned and fasted (Isaiah 38:1-2), and God had relented (Isaiah 38:5-6). This time, Hezekiah simply rejoiced that it would not come in his lifetime. Another less probable view is that Hezekiah was simply thankful that God was being merciful to him personally. [Note: See, for example, Grogan, p. 240, Young,... read more
Alliance with Babylon DenouncedConclusion of the historical appendix. The chapter belongs to the period when Merodach-Baladan of Babylon was making efforts to bring the various peoples of W. Asia into alliance against the common enemy, the king of Assyria (at this time Sargon, Isaiah 20:1). The arrangement of such alliance with Hezekiah was, doubtless, the object of the embassy, and this explains Hezekiah’s gladness and exhibition of his resources (Isaiah 39:2). Congratulation to the king of... read more
Get a Bible verse delivered to your inbox every day!
Read on Mobile
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 39:7
7. sons . . . from thee—The sons which Hezekiah (as JOSEPHUS tells us) wished to have (see on :-, on "wept sore") will be among the foremost in suffering. eunuchs—fulfilled (Daniel 1:2; Daniel 1:3; Daniel 1:7). read more