Isaiah 39

The focus of Isaiah now pivots. Up to this point the focus has been primarily on the Assyrian threat. Starting in this chapter the focus will now look ahead to the coming Babylonian empire as the times of the gentiles will be established.In this chapter we have a great lesson set before us. King Hezekiah was indeed one of Judah's greatest kings. In obedience to God's word, he did many great things as recorded in the scriptures. However, in this chapter we see how greatly great men of God can fail. In the light of an awesome personal victory and a great word from the LORD, pride slithered in and Hezekiah transgressed greatly before the Lord.At the same time, we see the greatness of God. God's grace, mercy and longsuffering is beyond our ability to comprehend. God comes to Hezekiah, speaks to Hezekiah and forgives him. God is ever faithful as He displays His greatness and glory by working in and through His frail and flawed servants.Hezekiah, in faith, won in the battle but lost in the victory. How many win in the battle only to sadly lose in the victory. Andrew Bonar tells us that we must always be as watchful after the victory as before the battle.We are living in the great battle of the last days. However, we have been given victory in Christ Jesus. Are we living in the victory that we have in Jesus? We live in the victory of Jesus through humble, faithful obedience to His word. We live the victory in Jesus by denying ourselves, taking up our cross and following Jesus. We live in the victory of Jesus by putting our hand to the plough and never looking back. Now more than ever, we need to be living in the victory of Jesus. Are we living in the victory of Jesus?

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1 At that time Merodachbaladan, the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present to Hezekiah: for he had heard that he had been sick, and was recovered.

2 And Hezekiah was glad of them, and shewed them the house of his precious things, the silver, and the gold, and the spices, and the precious ointment, and all the house of his armour, and all that was found in his treasures: there was nothing in his house, nor in all his dominion, that Hezekiah shewed them not.

3 Then came Isaiah the prophet unto king Hezekiah, and said unto him, What said these men? and from whence came they unto thee? And Hezekiah said, They are come from a far country unto me, even from Babylon.

4 Then said he, What have they seen in thine house? And Hezekiah answered, All that is in mine house have they seen: there is nothing among my treasures that I have not shewed them.

5 Then said Isaiah to Hezekiah, Hear the word of the LORD of hosts:

6 Behold, the days come, that all that is in thine house, and that which thy fathers have laid up in store until this day, shall be carried to Babylon: nothing shall be left, saith the LORD.

7 And of thy sons that shall issue from thee, which thou shalt beget, shall they take away; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.