Isaiah 39
Today's Passage: Isaiah 39
Chapter 39 takes a break from the regularly scheduled prophecies to slow down and tell a story (that ultimately ends with a prophecy of destruction…) This story shows us how sin can blind us from truth and bring destruction.
King Hezekiah is one of the good kings of Judah. He feared the Lord and was one of the few to seek the Lord’s counsel. In fact, in 2 Kings 19, he stands strong in the Lord in the face of Assyrian intimidation. It’s a heroic move from a godly king, but Isaiah 39 tells a different tale.
Hezekiah welcomes Babylonian spies into his kingdom. They came with letters, gifts, and flattery and won the heart of the king. He welcomes them gladly and shows them the extent of his wealth, which would ultimately lead to a Babylonian takeover and deportation.
Maybe he thought his success was because of his own ability, or maybe he thought he was smart enough to see their intentions - whatever caused him to welcome them into the kingdom, it is evident that Hezekiah is losing his sense of God. He is more focused on himself and what he could gain from them. Even after Isaiah confronts him and tells him that Judah and his sons will be exiled, Hezekiah is still focused on himself…”The word of the LORD that you have spoken is good.” For he thought, “There will be peace and security in my days.”
Sin has a funny way of blinding us and keeping us focused on ourselves rather than God. Hezekiah allowed flattery and ego to turn his eyes off the Lord and onto personal gain. Don’t we do the same thing? We allow good things to turn into God-things. Family, career, money, respect, and love are all good things, but they can easily consume us or blind us. We have to keep them in their proper place in our hearts. They are good gifts that point to a great God.
So evaluate your life. Are there areas of your life where you have allowed sin to creep in? Are there parts of your life that, although they aren’t evil in themselves, are turning your eyes away from the Lord? Don’t give the devil a foothold in your life - no good thing is worth your soul!
Written By: Joe Weaver
Chapter 39 takes a break from the regularly scheduled prophecies to slow down and tell a story (that ultimately ends with a prophecy of destruction…) This story shows us how sin can blind us from truth and bring destruction.
King Hezekiah is one of the good kings of Judah. He feared the Lord and was one of the few to seek the Lord’s counsel. In fact, in 2 Kings 19, he stands strong in the Lord in the face of Assyrian intimidation. It’s a heroic move from a godly king, but Isaiah 39 tells a different tale.
Hezekiah welcomes Babylonian spies into his kingdom. They came with letters, gifts, and flattery and won the heart of the king. He welcomes them gladly and shows them the extent of his wealth, which would ultimately lead to a Babylonian takeover and deportation.
Maybe he thought his success was because of his own ability, or maybe he thought he was smart enough to see their intentions - whatever caused him to welcome them into the kingdom, it is evident that Hezekiah is losing his sense of God. He is more focused on himself and what he could gain from them. Even after Isaiah confronts him and tells him that Judah and his sons will be exiled, Hezekiah is still focused on himself…”The word of the LORD that you have spoken is good.” For he thought, “There will be peace and security in my days.”
Sin has a funny way of blinding us and keeping us focused on ourselves rather than God. Hezekiah allowed flattery and ego to turn his eyes off the Lord and onto personal gain. Don’t we do the same thing? We allow good things to turn into God-things. Family, career, money, respect, and love are all good things, but they can easily consume us or blind us. We have to keep them in their proper place in our hearts. They are good gifts that point to a great God.
So evaluate your life. Are there areas of your life where you have allowed sin to creep in? Are there parts of your life that, although they aren’t evil in themselves, are turning your eyes away from the Lord? Don’t give the devil a foothold in your life - no good thing is worth your soul!
Written By: Joe Weaver
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