UST ISA Chapter 39

◄ ISA 39 ► ║ ═ ©

39 Merodach Baladan had become the king of Babylon after his father Baladan died. Around this time, he learned that King Hezekiah had been very sick, so he sent messengers to him. They brought a gift to Hezekiah, along with a letter that said how glad Merodach Baladan was that Hezekiah had recovered. 2 When the messengers arrived, Hezekiah listened as they read the letter to him from Berodach Baladan. Then he showed them all the valuable possessions he was keeping in his palace. He showed them the silver and the gold, the spices, the special olive oil, and the weapons for his soldiers. He showed them all the valuable things that were in his storerooms. The messengers saw all the things that were in Hezekiah’s palace and in other places in his kingdom. 3 Then the prophet Isaiah went to King Hezekiah and asked him, “Where did those men come from, and what did they say to you?” Hezekiah replied, “They came from a country that is far from here. They came from Babylon.” 4 Isaiah asked, “What did they see in your palace?” Hezekiah replied, “I showed them everything in my palace. I showed them all the valuable things that are in my storerooms.”

5 Then Isaiah told him, “Yahweh, the commander of the heavenly armies, has given me this message for you. 6 “There will truly be a time when the Babylonian army comes and takes away all the valuable things in your palace. That includes the things that your ancestors have put there over the years. They will leave nothing valuable here.” This is what Yahweh is telling you. 7 He is also telling you, “The Babylonian army will force some of your own descendants to go to Babylon. There they will be eunuchs in the royal palace.” 8 Then Hezekiah replied to Isaiah, “I accept what Yahweh has said in the message that you have delivered.” He said that because he was thinking, “Even if that happens, the people of my kingdom will live peacefully and safely for as long as I am alive.”