Isaiah 39:1-8

39:1-7 | Hezekiah’s show of pride (in displaying all his resources, weaponry, and wealth to the envoy of Merodach-Baladan) was symptomatic of Judah’s tendency to be self-sufficient. The Lord used the occasion to announce that these same Babylonians would someday conquer Judah and take the king’s treasures and descendants into exile (2 Kgs. 10:17-19). The prophecy was fulfilled between 605-586 BC (2 Kgs. 24-25).

39:8 | Hezekiah’s response is surprising and utterly self-centered. While Isaiah was looking toward the future, Hezekiah was looking short-term, during his lifetime. Human pride had replaced humility and faith in God. But God’s Word would come to pass and judgment would come upon Jerusalem.