39:1
Remember that the events related in this chapter happened before the Assyrian invasion, and provide the backdrop to the rest of Isaiah. Merodach-Baladan reigned from 722-710 BC and 705-703 BC. He was concerned to form an alliance to resist Assyria.It is worth noting that the enemy Hezekiah resisted (Assyria) fled, the enemy he invited into his palace ultimately utterly defeated Jerusalem. There is perhaps a general spiritual lesson we can learn here. When we resist the enemy he will flee (James 4:7), when we invite him into our lives he will consume us. These events happened after Hezekiah’s illness and before the Assyrian invasion (approx 701 BC). Merodach sent gifts to Hezekiah, this may have been normal diplomatic practice, and he was seeking to enlist Hezekiah in an alliance against Assyria.
39:2
Hezekiah welcomed the envoys and showed them all his wealth. Hezekiah would have been feeling vulnerable and would welcome any chance of support. We need to be very careful when we are feeling vulnerable, for we are then prone to make wrong decisions. When I feel vulnerable one of my common prayers is “Lord, protect me from my own stupidity”, it is a prayer I can recommend to you all! Hezekiah showed Merodach everything.
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