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^24 “In those days Hezekiah became sick and was at the point of death, and he prayed to the Lord, and he answered him and gave him a sign. ²⁵ But Hezekiah did not make return according to the benefit done to him, for his heart was proud. Therefore wrath came upon him and Judah and Jerusalem. ²⁶ But Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart, both he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the wrath of the Lord did not come upon them in the days of Hezekiah” (2 Chronicles 32:24–26).  

Isaiah 39 is a brief, and concluding, historical narrative which began in Isaiah 36. Today’s text picks up shortly after King Hezekiah’s illness and healing (Isaiah 38; 2 Kings 20:1-11). It concerns a visit from Merodach-baladan, the son of Baladan, king of Babylon (Isaiah 39:1; 2 Kings 20:12-21).  

Apparently the Babylonian king heard that Hezekiah had been ill and had recovered. He then sent envoys to Jerusalem not only with letters but also a present for Hezekiah. We may presume that the letters and present were expressions of well-being on Hezekiah’s behalf by King Baladan.

Isaiah 39:2 says, “Hezekiah was pleased, and showed them all his treasure house, the silver and the gold and the spices and the precious oil and his whole armory and all that was found in his treasuries. There was nothing in his house nor in all his dominion that Hezekiah did not show them.”  

Why did King Hezekiah do this? We cannot be absolutely sure. Perhaps he was trying to impress the Babylonian envoys. 2 Chronicles 32:25 indicates that Hezekiah was a very proud king. He may also have been trying to establish an alliance with Babylon against the Assyrians.

2 Chronicles 32:27-31 is a parallel passage to Isaiah 39. 2 Chronicles 32:31 says, “And so in the matter of the envoys of the princes of Babylon, who had been sent to him to inquire about the sign that had been done in the land, God left him to himself, in order to test him and to know all that was in his heart.”

The LORD was not pleased. He saw the pride within the heart of the king. Isaiah then came to Hezekiah. “³Then Isaiah the prophet came to King Hezekiah and said to him, “What did these men say, and from where have they come to you?” And Hezekiah said, “They have come to me from a far country, from Babylon.” ⁴ He said, “What have they seen in your house?” So Hezekiah answered, “They have seen all that is in my house; there is nothing among my treasuries that I have not shown them.”

Hezekiah sinned against the LORD by displaying his wealth before the Babylonian visitors. The king’s sin of pride would be further compounded by his son, Manasseh (2 Kings 21:1-15).

Isaiah 39:5-7 is God’s pronouncement of judgment upon Hezekiah and the nation of Judah. “⁵ Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, “Hear the word of the Lord of hosts: ⁶ Behold, the days are coming, when all that is in your house, and that which your fathers have stored up till this day, shall be carried to Babylon. Nothing shall be left, says the Lord. ⁷ And some of your own sons, who will come from you, whom you will father, shall be taken away, and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon” (2 Kings 24:1-16; 2 Chronicles 33:1-11; Daniel 1:1-6).

Isaiah 39:8 provides us with Hezekiah’s response. “⁸ Then Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “The word of the Lord that you have spoken is good.” For he thought, “There will be peace and security in my days.”

Dr. John MacArthur comments that Hezekiah’s statement was, “A surprising response to the negative prophecy of vv. 5–7! It perhaps acknowledged Isaiah as God’s faithful messenger. Hezekiah perhaps reacted selfishly, or perhaps he looked for a bright spot to lighten the gloomy fate of his descendants.”

Proverbs 16:18 says, “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.”  

Pastor Robert Rayburn writes, “To put pride to death is lifelong work of the most difficult kind. We get no help from our culture. Pride is a topic of little interest to modern psychology or the self-help industry, and self-congratulation has become an accepted art form in the era of the “touchdown dance.” Nowadays, low self-esteem is likely to be thought a far more serious problem than pride. But the godly have always known that true goodness requires the killing of their pride, and they learned soon enough that there was no gentle way to go about it. It had to be hacked to death. One good man after another has instructed himself in these or similar words: “Talk not about myself”; “Desire to be unknown”; and “Lord, Deliver me from the lust of vindicating myself.” 

Soli deo Gloria!

 

 

Isaiah 36-39 provides a historical interlude involving the Prophet Isaiah and the Judean King, Hezekiah. These four chapters also comprise the fifth major division in the Book of Isaiah. The previous four divisions include: I. The LORD is the Holy One of Israel (1-12); II. Oracles Against the Nations (13-23); III. The Little Apocalypse (24-27); and IV. Judgment and Salvation (28-35).

Chapters 36-39 are divided as follows: A. King Hezekiah is Delivered from King Sennacherib (36-37); B. King Hezekiah is Delivered from Illness (38); and C. King Hezekiah’s Self-Confidence Leads to the Future Exile of Judah (39). The four chapters duplicate almost verbatim 2 Kings 18:13–20:19 (cf. 2 Chronicles 32:1–23). 

Chapters 36-37 contain a narrative concerning the siege of Jerusalem by the Assyrian army under the command of King Sennacherib (701 B.C.). The chapters also describe the LORD’s glorious deliverance of His holy city.

Chapters 38 shares the story of King Hezekiah’s illness unto death. The narrative is also found in 2 Kings 20:1-11 and 2 Chronicles 32:24-26.

Isaiah 38:1 says, “In those days Hezekiah became sick and was at the point of death. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz came to him, and said to him, “Thus says the Lord: Set your house in order, for you shall die; you shall not recover.” There is no mistaking the tenor and tone of this passage. Hezekiah was going to die.

What does Hezekiah do in this situation? What would we do if, for example, a doctor told us we were dying of cancer? Ultimately, we would cry out to the LORD in prayer: for healing from the disease or for strength while battling the disease.

Hezekiah does this very thing. He was as human as we are. In desperation, he cries out to the LORD. “² Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall, and prayed to the Lord: ³ “Remember now, O Lord, I implore you, how I have walked before you in faithfulness with a whole heart, and have done what is good in your sight.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly” (Isaiah 38:2-3).

Dr. John MacArthur writes that, “Hezekiah reminded the Lord in prayer of his piety and devotion to God. He did not specifically ask to be healed. Hezekiah wept because: 1) he thought his death would give Sennacherib cause for boasting; or 2) his son Manasseh was too young to become king. Hezekiah based his implied request for an extension of his life on an undivided desire to please the Lord.”  

It was then that the LORD instructed Isaiah to go to Hezekiah with an oracle from the LORD. “⁴ Then the word of the Lord came to Isaiah: ⁵ “Go and say to Hezekiah, Thus says the Lord, the God of your ancestor David: I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; I will add fifteen years to your life. ⁶ I will deliver you and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria, and defend this city” (Isaiah 38:4-6).

The LORD not only heard Hezekiah’s prayer, but chose to give the king 15 more years of life on earth. Does this automatically mean that God will do the same for us when we become sick unto death? Not at all. What was God’s will for Hezekiah, or for others, may not be His will for you or me. We must pray according to the LORD’s sovereign will (I John 5:13-15).

2 Kings 20:8-10 indicates that Hezekiah requested a sign to confirm the LORD’s promise. The LORD provided Hezekiah a sovereign sign assuring the king that this extension of his life would come to pass. Isaiah 38:7–8 says, “⁷ This is the sign to you from the Lord, that the Lord will do this thing that he has promised: ⁸ See, I will make the shadow cast by the declining sun on the dial of Ahaz turn back ten steps.” So the sun turned back on the dial the ten steps by which it had declined.” (See Isaiah 38:22).   

Hezekiah then wrote a journal account of this series of events. He indicated that he was depressed and felt betrayed by God and broken by his circumstances (38:9-16).

He then wrote about God delivering him from death. He wrote that God healed him and forgave his sins (38:17-18). In return for God’s graciousness, Hezekiah would write songs of God’s faithfulness and sing them daily (38:19-20).

The method of God’s healing involved Isaiah instructing the king’s servants to make an ointment of figs to spread over Hezekiah’s boils so that he would recover (38:21).

Dr. R. C. Sproul comments that, “God’s granting fifteen more years of life to Hezekiah does not mean He changes His mind like we do. Instead, such accounts show us that the Lord has a real relationship with His people in time and responds to our prayers and actions. Hezekiah did not know how God would answer His prayer for healing, but the Lord did. Similarly, God knows how He will answer our prayers even before we offer them, but that must not keep us from interceding for ourselves and others.”

Soli deo Gloria!      

 

 

 

 

Isaiah 36-39 provides a historical interlude involving the Prophet Isaiah and the Judean King, Hezekiah. These four chapters also comprise the fifth major division in the Book of Isaiah. The previous four divisions include: I. The LORD is the Holy One of Israel (1-12); II. Oracles Against the Nations (13-23); III. The Little Apocalypse (24-27); and IV. Judgment and Salvation (28-35).

Chapters 36-39 are divided as follows: A. King Hezekiah is Delivered from King Sennacherib (36-37); B. King Hezekiah is Delivered from Illness (38); and C. King Hezekiah’s Self-Confidence Leads to the Future Exile of Judah (39). The four chapters duplicate almost verbatim 2 Kings 18:13–20:19 (cf. 2 Chronicles 32:1–23). 

Chapters 36-37 contain a narrative concerning the siege of Jerusalem by the Assyrian army under the command of King Sennacherib (701 B.C.). The chapters also describe the LORD’s glorious deliverance of His holy city.

Prior to attacking Jerusalem, King Sennacherib of Assyria sent his military commander, the Rabshakeh, to threaten, ridicule, and intimidate King Hezekiah and the Judean people. Three of Hezekiah’s top officials—Eliakim, Shebna, and Joah—met with Sennacherib’s military commander (36:1-3).

The message delivered to King Hezekiah was twofold: First, Judah cannot depend on Egypt for help against the Assyrians (36:4–6). Second, Judah cannot depend upon God (36:7–12, 18–21). Therefore, Judah should surrender (36:13–17).

Hezekiah initially grieved and tore his clothes and dressed in sackcloth (36:22). He then approached the Prophet Isaiah and begged him to intercede and ask God for help (37:2-4). Isaiah’s responded and told Hezekiah that King Sennacherib would experience death and defeat (37:5-7).

Following this, Sennacherib informed Hezekiah that he and Judah would be destroyed (37:8-13). Hezekiah then prayed to the LORD for deliverance (37:14-20; 2 Kings 19:14-19). His prayer is worth noting.

 ¹⁴ Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers and read it; then Hezekiah went up to the house of the Lord and spread it before the Lord. ¹⁵ And Hezekiah prayed to the Lord, saying: ¹⁶ “O Lord of hosts, God of Israel, who are enthroned above the cherubim, you are God, you alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; you have made heaven and earth. ¹⁷ Incline your ear, O Lord, and hear; open your eyes, O Lord, and see; hear all the words of Sennacherib, which he has sent to mock the living God. ¹⁸ Truly, O Lord, the kings of Assyria have laid waste all the nations and their lands, ¹⁹ and have hurled their gods into the fire, though they were no gods, but the work of human hands—wood and stone—and so they were destroyed. ²⁰ So now, O Lord our God, save us from his hand, so that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you alone are the Lord.”

The LORD condemned Sennacherib because of his pride (37:21-28). Sennacherib would be led back to Assyria with a hook in his nose and a bit in his mouth (37:29).

It is at this same time that the LORD consoled and comforted King Hezekiah. The LORD promised the king that the land would soon enjoy abundant crops (37:30–32), and the Assyrians would never enter Jerusalem (37:33–35). The LORD would defend the city and His people. That very night, the LORD’s angel destroyed 185,000 Assyrian troops. Sennacherib fled back to Assyria where his sons eventually killed him (37:36-38).

Even when circumstances and situations seem darkest, we must remember that the LORD is sovereign and providential. He is in control of our lives.

Soli deo Gloria!

 

 

 

 

 

You may have noticed that we are halfway through our study of the Book of Isaiah. In chapters 34-35, the prophet shares more oracles concerning the Day of the LORD and the glory of the Millennial Kingdom.

Isaiah 34 deals with God’s judgment against all nations in general, and one representative nation in particular, in the Great Tribulation. Isaiah 35 addresses the subject of God’s provision in the Millennial Kingdom.

Isaiah 34:1-4 is a general statement concerning the LORD’s judgment upon all nations which reject Him as Savior and LORD. The world’s armies will be destroyed (34:1–2), the mountains will flow with the blood of unburied corpses (34:3), the heavens will dissolve and the stars will fall (34:4), and they will be like withered leaves and fruit falling from a tree.

The prophet then focused upon one nation, Edom (34:5-17), as representative of all the nations (Isaiah 63:1; Genesis 25:23; Numbers 20:14-21; Ezekiel 35:1-5; Obadiah 1-14; Malachi 1:1-3). The inhabitants of Edom were to be found on the high plateau to the south and southeast of the Dead Sea. The biblical term Edom, meaning “red,” denotes either the name of the land or the name of Isaac’s son Esau, in remembrance of the red pottage or stew for which he exchanged his birthright to his twin brother Jacob (Genesis 25:30; 36:1, 8, 19). The country of Edom was also known as Seir (Genesis 32:3; 36:30; Numbers 24:18). A long history of enmity existed between Judah and Edom, and several prophets, in addition to Isaiah, spoke unfavorably about Edom (Ezekiel 32:29; Joel 3:19; Amos 1:11–12; Malachi 1:2–4).

The LORD’s judgment will be severe upon Edom (34:5–15). Edom’s people will be cut down like animals (34:5–8), the ground will be covered with fire (34:9), the land will become desolate and uninhabitable (34:10–15) and the judgment is guaranteed (34:16–17).

Chapter 35 focuses on the glorious millennial reign following the LORD’s judgment of the nations.  What will life be like during this perfect age (35:1–2, 5–10)?

First, the deserts will bloom, the lame will walk, and the mute will shout and sing (35:1–2, 6–7). Second, the blind will see, and the deaf will hear (35:5), and a highway, called the Way of Holiness, will be constructed (35:8–10). Isaiah 35:10 says, “And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.”

What encouragement may Isaiah 35 provide the believer when facing the challenges of today? The truth of the coming judgment, and the glorious Millennium, should comfort and strengthen believers. Isaiah 35:3-4 says, “³Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. ⁴Say to those who are of a fearful heart, “Be strong, do not fear! Here is your God. He will come with vengeance, with terrible recompense. He will come and save you.”

Soli deo Gloria!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Prophet Isaiah prophesied of the LORD’s rule and reign over a restored Israel (32-33). The prophet also heralded a sixth woe—this one against the ancient Assyrians. Isaiah described two periods of time for God’s people: one in the future and one in his own day.

To begin with, Isaiah proclaims what life will be like in the future Millennial Kingdom (32:1–8, 15–20; 33:16–24). The prophet’s focus not only concerns the Son of God, Jesus Christ, but also the Spirit of God, the Holy Spirit.

The glorious and beautiful ministry of the Son of God will be fivefold (32:1–8; 33:16–24): The Messiah will (1) Reign as earth’s righteous king (32:1); (2) Restore and regenerate Israel (32:2–4); (3) Right all wrongs (32:5–8); (4) Meet the needs of all people (33:16); and (5) Usher in universal peace (33:18–24).

The glorious and beautiful ministry of the Spirit of God will be as follows (32:15–20). He will (1) Anoint the people of God (32:15); (2) Bring about worldwide justice (32:16–17); and (3) Guarantee abundant crops (32:18–20).

Isaiah also heralded warnings concerning circumstances in his own day during the 8^th century B.C. (32:9–14; 33:1–15). The prophet’s warning were twofold.

Isaiah initially warned the women of Israel to not only hear God’s Word (32:9-10), but also to obey it (32:11–14). Otherwise, their land would be overgrown, and their homes would be gone due to their laziness.

Isaiah subsequently warned the Nation of Assyria against any aggression they might take against the Southern Kingdom of Judah (33:1–15). The people of Judah prayed for deliverance by God and from Assyria (33:2–4). The LORD heard their prayer and promises that (1) The Assyrian destroyers would be destroyed (33:1); and (2) Assyrian soldiers would be cut down like thorns and burned (33:5–15).

Not only will the LORD rule and reign in the millennial future, but He also rules and reigns in our present circumstances. All believers of all time can rest in the rule and reign of Yahweh.

Soli deo Gloria!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Isaiah 30-31 continues the Prophet Isaiah’s oracles of woe against Israel. The historical context is when Israel attempted to make an alliance with Egypt as a protection from their enemies in the 8^th century B.C. What appears to be solely a political alliance rooted in history has striking spiritual implications for all believers in Christ today. How so, you may be wondering. Let’s examine the text and find out.

To begin with, there was a devastation that the LORD would bring upon Israel. The cause of God’s judgment upon His people was due to their lack of prayer in discerning the will of God. Rather, they sought their own plans (30:1-7)

Israel also demanded that their prophets cease preaching about sin and only preach soothing sermons (30:8-11). In other words, Israel did not want to hear what they needed to hear from God, but rather what they wanted to hear from their fellow man.

Isaiah 30:9-11 says, “⁹ For they are a rebellious people, lying children, children unwilling to hear the instruction of the Lord; ¹⁰ who say to the seers, “Do not see,” and to the prophets, “Do not prophesy to us what is right; speak to us smooth things, prophesy illusions, ¹¹ leave the way, turn aside from the path, let us hear no more about the Holy One of Israel.”

Beloved, what Israel was guilty of in the 8^th century B.C., the evangelical church is guilty of today. The church has been filled with a congregational consumer mindset which tells its pastors and leaders what it wants to hear. Consequently, if a pastor does not comply he will be replaced by an individual who will. In such a situation, the church no longer wants to hear about the Holy One of Israel.

Therefore, what will God to those who reject His Word? God’s judgment will fall (30:12-14; 16-17).

What hope did Israel then, and the church today, have before the Holy One of Israel? The only hope for the disobedient before the LORD is to repent of sin and to return to the only God of their salvation (30:15, 18; 31:6-7).

What will God’s restoration of His people look like? What will the LORD do on behalf of His repentant and returning people?

First, He will comfort His people and hear their prayers (30:19). The LORD will be gracious and respond to their cries.

Second, the LORD will teach and guide His people (30:20–22).

Third, the LORD will providentially provide for their physical needs (30:23–26). The animals will be well fed, and the sun and moon will be bright.

Fourth, the LORD will defeat His enemies (30:27–28, 30–33; 31:4–5, 8–9).

Finally, the LORD will fill His people’s hearts with joy (30:29): The people of God will sings songs of joy to God.

He who has ears to hear, hear what the Spirit says to believers.

Soli deo Gloria!

 

 

 

 

 

“Human arrogance stands in opposition to the majesty of the LORD.” R. C. Sproul

The Prophet Isaiah heralded six woes, or oracles of judgment, against Israel, Jerusalem, and the surrounding Gentile nations in chapter’s 28–33. Today, we survey chapter’s 28 & 29.

There is a twofold theme contained in chapters 28 & 29 concerning the twelve tribes of Israel. It is the theme of Israel’s rejection of God and its eventual restoration by God. Israel’s rejection of God involved both the northern kingdom of Israel (consisting of ten tribes), and the southern kingdom of Judah (consisting of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin) in the 8^th century B.C.

The northern kingdom, Israel, was guilty of arrogance and drunkenness (28:1). It was because of this that the LORD would bring the Assyrians against them as an instrument of God’s divine justice and judgment (28:2-4; 2 Kings 17).

The southern kingdom, Judah, was not only guilty of having drunken priests and prophets who were unable to fulfill their responsibilities (28:7-8), but it was also guilty of ridiculing faithful prophets like Isaiah (28:9-10), disbelieving God’s faithfulness (28:14-15; 29:9), and attempting to deceive themselves, and God, regarding their sin (29:15-16).

God’s punishment of Judah would not only include the Babylonian Captivity in the 7^th century B.C. (28:11-13, 17-22; 29:1-4) in particular, but He would also bring a spiritual stupor upon Israel as a whole to reject their own Messiah (28:16; 29:10-13).

It is at this juncture within the oracle that the Holy Spirit leads Isaiah to share a parable. The parable consists of comparing God’s working among the nations to a farmer working the soil (28:23-29).

The LORD’s restoration of His people would be centralized in a Redeemer (28:16). He would be compared to a stone, a tested stone, and a precious cornerstone of a sure foundation. This Redeemer would bring redemption to His people by providing justice and strength (28:5-6), protection (29:5-8, 20, 22), along with healing and joy (29:17-29; 21, 23-24).

Even a surface examination of these two chapters in Isaiah provide believers today with encouragement that as the LORD was faithful to Old Testament Israel, He will also be faithful to the New Testament church. Additionally, redemption from God is still in the person and work of the Redeemer, Jesus Christ. May each of us seek to be salt and light in the midst of a spiritually polluted and dark culture (Matthew 5:13-16) which needs to not only hear about God’s judgment but also of His salvation.

Soli deo Gloria!

 

 

 

“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you” (Isaiah 26:3).

The Prophet Isaiah wrote a song that would be sung by the redeemed when the Messiah establishes the millennial kingdom. The theme of this song is set forth in Isaiah 26:1 which says, “In that that day this song will be sung in the land of Judah: We have a strong city; he sets up salvation as walls and bulwarks.” Isaiah’s song comprises chapters 26 & 27.

The prophet was picturing himself standing in the redeemed land with the believing remnant. He listens to the people express their thanks to and their confidence, trust, dependence, commitment in, and worship of, God.

The people of God sing of their Savior (26:1-15). The people thank God for His strength and peace (26:1–6), for His righteous judgment (26:7-11), and for His uniqueness (26:12-15). This is because Yahweh, unlike lifeless idols which Israel worshiped in the past, is the true and only God.

The people of God sing of their Suffering (26:16-18; 27:7-11). The people confess that their suffering was due to their sin (26:16; 27:7-11). This suffering is compared to a woman who is experiencing labor pains (26:17–18).  Israel suffered like a woman giving birth.

The people of God sing of their Salvation (26:19; 27:12-13). The people of God will experience the resurrection from the dead (26:19) and a restoration to the land (27:12-13). This is a message of hope. The Old Testament expresses faith and trust in the resurrection of the body since death, in all of its forms, is an invasion of God’s created order (Isaiah 25:8; Job 19:26; Psalm 49:15; 73:24-26; Daniel 12:1-2; Hosea 13:14).

Finally the people of God will sing of their Security (Isaiah 26:20–21; 27:1–6). The people of God will enjoy God’s protection during the Great Tribulation (26:20–21; 27:1) and productivity during the glorious Millennium (Isaiah 27:2–6).

The song’s conclusion is summarized in 27:21-13 which says, “¹² In that day from the river Euphrates to the Brook of Egypt the Lord will thresh out the grain, and you will be gleaned one by one, O people of Israel. ¹³ And in that day a great trumpet will be blown, and those who were lost in the land of Assyria and those who were driven out to the land of Egypt will come and worship the Lord on the holy mountain at Jerusalem.”

Dr. Don Carson explains that, “For Israel within the homeland (vs. 12) the emphasis is on the sifting of the minority from the mass (cf. 10:20–23). For those dispersed abroad it is on the trumpet call that will summon them home (vs. 13). The NT will show the gospel’s call having already this double effect to sift and to save (1 Cor. 1:23–24), among Jew and Gentile alike. So the two verses show the Lord’s final triumph, in terms not of conquest or new creation (as it can be pictured) but simply of persons gathered in and brought home. This is, after all, the heart of the matter (cf. Rev. 7:9ff.).

Do you belong to the believing remnant which is justified by grace alone, through faith alone, in the person and work of Jesus Christ alone? If so, take time today to praise the Lord for this gracious gift. If not, repent of your sins and trust in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the eternal God who became man, who was born of a virgin, who lived a sinless life, who died a substitutionary death on the cross and who rose from the dead. Forgiveness of sin and a righteous standing before God the Father is found only in Jesus Christ.

Soli deo Gloria!