38 comes after 37, so one might easily assume that Hezekiah’s illness and recovery came after the showdown with Assyria. It didn’t. It came during. Plis, the kings recovery, fifteen years added to his life, confirmed by a sign, happened before Assyria’s finest were destroyed, and thus fortified Hezekiah for the trial. You can read it here at 39:5-6:
“This is what Jehovah the God of David your forefather says: ‘I have heard your prayer. I have seen your tears. Here I am adding 15 years to your life, and I will rescue you and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria, and I will defend this city.’”
It becomes like the fleece trial that fortified Gideon, where it’s sopping wet though the land is bone dry, and then bone dry though the land is sopping wet. If you’re about to stare down the mightiest army in the world, such experiences build confidence.
Alas, the deliverance seems to have gone to his head. After it was all done, we read in the next chapter:
“At that time the king of Babylon, Merodachbaladan of Baladan, sent letters and a gift to Hezekiah, for he had heard that he had been sick and had recovered. Hezekiah gladly welcomed them and showed them his treasure-house—the silver, the gold, the balsam oil and other precious oil, his whole armory, and everything that was to be found in his treasuries. There was nothing that Hezekiah did not show them in his own house and in all his dominion.” 39:1-2
Sigh . . . now, why would he do that?
ring! ring!
Hello?
Hello. Is this the king of Jerusalem? My name is Merodachbaladan. I’m a king too, from the distant land of Babylon. The name’s a bit of a tongue-twister, I know. You can call me Merry.
Thank you, Merry. It’s so nice of you to call. But (I hope you don’t mind me asking), you’re not a mean king, are you?
No, I’m a nice king. I’m not like that Assyrian king at all. I didn’t like him either. I heard how you really put him in his place, so I thought I’d call and flatter you.
(Hezekiah whispers to an assistant: “It’s the king of Babylon! He sounds like a really nice guy.”)
I also hope you received my ‘Get Well’ card. I felt really bad when I heard you fell sick, so I also called to cheer you up.
Aw, that’s so heartwarming! Thank you so much. You are to be commended. It’s nice to know in this cold and heartless world that that are still good neighbors who care. Now, is there anything I can do for you to repay your kindness?
(Merodachbaladan stifles some snickering on his end after an assistant whispers: “Tell him you’re a Nigerian prince and you’ll split your inheritance with him if he helps you out.”)
Before Merry can act on this suggestion, Hezekiah continues. “Say, we’re having a bash this Saturday. Why don’t you drop over and I’ll show you around? I have a lot of cool stuff I’m sure you’d like to see..
The next morning, Isaiah was going over his daily dispatches, which always included a few from God. “Hoo, boy!” he sighed, upon reading one. “He did what??! Look, the object was to humiliate Sennacherib, not to swell up our own guy!”
It’s just such a witless thing to do. His duties called for issuing the king a rebuke:
Isaiah now said to Hezekiah: “Hear the word of Jehovah of armies, ‘Look! Days are coming, and all that is in your house and all that your forefathers have stored up to this day will be carried off to Babylon. Nothing will be left,’ says Jehovah. ‘And some of your own sons to whom you will become father will be taken and will become court officials in the palace of the king of Babylon.’” (39:5-7)
The king doesn’t protest. He knows he did a faux pas. He knows overall he’s had a good run. He knows when to fold ‘em. The outcome could have been much worse. True, it will be as worse as can be, but it will be someone else’s problem:
At that Hezekiah said to Isaiah: “The word of Jehovah that you have spoken is good.” Then he added: “Because there will be peace and stability during my lifetime.” (39:8)
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