Isaiah 38 & 39

Father God, thank you for this day. Thank you for your grace, faithfulness, mercy and love that that has carried us up to this moment and will continue to carry us as we go through this new year in the name of Jesus. Amen

Chapters 38 and 39 show us the redemption of the LORD God concerning his king and servant.

Chapter 38 starts off with king Hezekiah receiving a word from the LORD concerning his life. Isaiah 38:1 NKJV says, "Thus says the LORD: 'Set your house in order, for you shall die and not live.'" Again, we see the king turning to God in prayer and said, "Remember now, O LORD, I pray, how I have walked before You in truth and with a loyal heart, and have done what is good in Your sight." And Hezekiah wept bitterly." (Isaiah 38:3).

God in His mercy and love restored the king's years and added fifteen more years to his life. We see the king worshipping and praising the LORD God for this answered prayer and proclaiming to the LORD how he shall praise him all the days of his life (Isaiah 38:18-20).

On the other hand, chapter 39 presents a more excited king who welcomes guests from Babylon. These guests heard about the king's sickness and had sent gifts following his recovery, which greatly pleased king Hezekiah (Isaiah 39:2). The king in his excitement showed off all the wealth and riches of his kingdom to these guests. Isaiah 39:2 informs us that there was nothing in Hezekiah's dominion that he did not reveal to these foreign guests.

Later on, the LORD's Word to Hezekiah was communicated to the prophet Isaiah saying, "Behold the days are coming when all that is in your house, and what your fathers have accumulated until day, shall be carried to Babylon; nothing shall be left,"says the LORD. And they shall take some of your sons who will descend from you, whom you will beget; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon."

Now, Hezekiah's response was quite unusual and interesting. He responded to the prophet by affirming the word of the LORD was good, provided there would be peace and truth during his days (Isaiah 39:8).

Is there a possibility that Hezekiah did not have it in him to carry the responsibilities of stewarding God's people which may have prompted God to instruct him to get his house in order?

Previously, we see the king interceding on behalf of the needs of God's people. In this particular instance, there's a change of heart where Hezekiah was no longer as diligent and mindful of the flock that God had entrusted him with. I believe if king Hezekiah had repented of his lack of discretion with foreigners and interceded on behalf of the people, God's infinite mercy would have prevailed concerning His people's captivity to Babylon.

I'll end with a Word found in Jeremiah 9:23-24 (NKJV)

23. "Thus says the LORD:

"Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom,

Let not the mighty man glory in his might, nor let the rich man glory in his riches;

24. But let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD, exercising lovingkindness, judgment and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight," says the LORD."

AMEN, thank you LORD.

Invitation to salvation: When you receive Jesus Christ, the Son of God, you have the privilege of Christ, the hope of glory living on the inside of you where you are a child of God who is a city that is set on a hill. This happens after you give your life to Christ and become born again which means all your sins are forgiven, washed away and you receive the free gift of eternal life and every blessing of God found in Christ.

If this sounds like you, please repeat this prayer after me;

"I believe with my heart and confess with my mouth that; Jesus Christ, the Son of God came in a human body to die for my sins so that I could have a new life where I am dead to sin and alive to God. I repent of my past sins and enter the Kingdom of light where I choose relationship with Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour and with God as my loving Father today and forever. Thank you Father that because the Son has made me free, I am now free indeed." AMEN.

Congratulations, by grace you are saved and are now a new creation in Christ Jesus. The old life has passed away and you have received the free gift of salvation into your life (2 Corinthians 5:17) where you get to freely access everything I've shared in this post. To the glory of the Almighty God. Amen.