Isaiah 39

Isaiah had a specific agenda in mind when he cited from his diary the event of the illness of Hezekiah and especially the hymn of Hezekiah at the end of chapter 38. The hymn is only mentioned by Isaiah. The later historiographer of 2 Kings 20 did not select the hymn. Why did Isaiah enter into history in these chapters? The answer is twofold: peace and truth. In fact, Isaiah cited the words of Hezekiah thinking that there will be peace and truth in his days (39:8) and also the reason why Hezekiah did not want to die but wanted to live, is to raise his children with spiritual education by singing on harps and lyre in the house of the Lord with them and to teach them truth and about God’s truth (38:19b-20a-c). Manasseh was only 12 when Hezekiah died in 687 BCE and he was a product of this promise of Hezekiah to God. The mother of Manasseh was Heph-Ziba (2 Kings 21:1) and the Heph part of her name could have been Egyptian since many words are either ḥep or ḥeb with meanings connected to festivals, (ruler) staff, or the Aphis bull of Memphis. We are trying to see why a religious upbringing for 12 years in a child’s life is suddenly turned upside down by the spouse and who surrounded him, nullifying all what he has been taught by his father Hezekiah. Isaiah did not survive to life in the days of Manasseh. The godless approach of the priesthood over Manasseh would need a reminder from Isaiah about truth and peace promised to God by Hezekiah to his offspring. At the same time Hezekiah became sick in 702/701 BCE, a Babylonian rebel took interest in his illness and recovery (v. 1). He was Merodach-baladan the king of Babylon. It was probably the Babylonian rebel with the name of Marduk-apal-iddina “the god Marduk has given a son”. He was the ruler of Bit-Iakin and with Elamite help he conquered Babylon for a short time and was driven out by Sargon II in Elul of 705 BCE for 9 months. Again he drove out the other ruler and Sennacherib took Babylon from him in 704 BCE. He was thus sitting on the edges of Babylon wishing to reclaim the city when he contacted Hezekiah. Hezekiah was very pleased and flattered by his men coming to see him and he showed them all his treasures, silver, gold, spices, precious oil, weapons. “There was nothing in his house nor in all his dominion that Hezekiah did not show him” (v. 2). Isaiah heard of this visit by the officials of the palace of Babylon and wanted to know what the men said (v. 3). Hezekiah said that they came from Babylon to him. Isaiah wanted to know what Hezekiah showed them in the house (v. 4). Hezekiah said that he showed them all that is in the house and that there was nothing that he did not show to them (v. 4). Isaiah then said the Word of the Lord of hosts to Hezekiah (v. 5). The Lord predicted the 605; 597 and 586 onslaught against Jerusalem by Babylon to Hezekiah by the word of the prophet Isaiah (v. 6). All that is the house of Hezekiah will go to Babylon and his sons and offspring “shall be taken away and they shall become officials in the palace of the king of Babylon” (v. 7). Isaiah had insight into the dreadfulness of the single coded situation revealed by God but for Hezekiah it was a double-coded message that gave him the impression that it would be wonderful if his offspring can be ambassadors in Babylon for there will be peace and truth in those days (v. 8). He chose to believe his own deception.

Dear God

Hezekiah chose to believe himself and his own deception making a single coded reality outlined by God double-coded realities ending in a fake dream. Guard us from our own fake dreams and obstinacy to accept and follow Your clear Word. Amen.

Koot van Wyk, (DLitt et Phil; ThD) Kyungpook National University, Department of Liberal Education, Sangju, South Korea; conjoint lecturer of Avondale College, Australia