A Tale of Two Houses: One's Trustworthy, But the Other...?

Remember in the early days when smartphones came out and introduced us to autocorrect where it checks spelling mistakes and automatically corrects your writing.

This is funny example of a misplaced trust on technology where the autocorrect often replaces original phases with funny or even scandalous expressions.

The narrative in Isaiah 39 is an example of Hezekiah’s terrible misplaced trust just months after God graciously healed him in chapter 38.

The main theme in the book of Isaiah is how God's presence affects his relationship with his people. At first, God is in the temple as the "Holy One of Israel." But when the people of Israel sin, even in God's presence, it puts their special connection with Him in danger. God warns them that if they don't change their ways, He will remove His presence from them. However, God also promises that in the future, He will come back to live among His people. He will make things right and restore their relationship with Him. This will happen through a new exodus led by a special Davidic king who is very close to God.

Zoom in Isaiah 39

Isaiah 39 ESV

1 At that time Merodach-baladan the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent envoys with letters and a present to Hezekiah, for he heard that he had been sick and had recovered. 2 And Hezekiah welcomed them gladly. And he showed them his treasure house, the silver, the gold, the spices, the precious oil, his whole armory, all that was found in his storehouses. There was nothing in his house or in all his realm that Hezekiah did not show them. 3 Then Isaiah the prophet came to King Hezekiah, and said to him, “What did these men say? And from where did they come to you?” Hezekiah said, “They have come to me from a far country, from Babylon.” 4 He said, “What have they seen in your house?” Hezekiah answered, “They have seen all that is in my house. There is nothing in my storehouses that I did not show them.” 5 Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, “Hear the word of the Lord of hosts: 6 Behold, the days are coming, when all that is in your house, and that which your fathers have stored up till this day, shall be carried to Babylon. Nothing shall be left, says the Lord. 7 And some of your own sons, who will come from you, whom you will father, shall be taken away, and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.” 8 Then Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “The word of the Lord that you have spoken is good.” For he thought, “There will be peace and security in my days.”

Isaiah 39 tells a story that revolves around the word "house" mentioned several times. Some scholars suggest that the Hebrew words used for "your fathers" and "some of your sons" in verses 6 and 7 sound and look similar to the word for "house" which adds to the story's impact.

A Tale of Two Houses: One's Trustworthy, But the Other...?

“House of Hezekiah” - “treasures” = silver, gold, spices, precious oils, armory - human/own efforts (Isa 39:2, 2 Kings 20:13 ) “House of The Lord” - “treasures” = God’s presence Ps 73:28, wisdom (Prov 2:4), law Ps 119:72, testimonies Ps 119:14.

Hezekiah’s Reaction

“House of Hezekiah” Hezekiah “rejoiced” over Merodach-baladan’s political visit (v.1). “House of The Lord” Hezekiah rejoiced in receiving a divine promise of salvation. Isa 25:9, 37:20, 35; 38:20

Hezekiah’s Presentation

“House of Hezekiah” - Hezekiah’s presented his own house.

Hezekiah's misplaced trust in Merodach and his decision to display his own treasure house instead of honoring/focusing on the house of the Lord were evidence of his failure to rely on Yahweh. (contrast to 2 Kings 20:5)

When we have high priority in showing “our treasure house”, it reveals our untold/underlying motivations = we have the highest priority of trusting in human/own efforts.

When Babylonians came to visit him due to his illness, he missed a chance to share his experience with them - his sickness, his sincere prayers, the letter he received, the miraculous sign from God, and his healing. If he had focused on what God promised him ("I will defend this city" in 38:6), he wouldn't have needed help from the Babylonians against the Assyrians. His error was not focusing on what God had already done.

“House of The Lord” - Hezekiah’s did not present the house of The Lord.

When we have high priority in testifying “the house of the Lord”, it reveals our untold/underlying motivations = we have the highest priority of trusting in God.

Hezekiah’s Interrogation

“House of Hezekiah” - Confronted with an interrogation critiquing his actions.

Hezekiah was not shaken by Isaiah’s proclamation of future judgment for his nation, “my days” portrayed a self-centered Hezekiah.

Hezekiah did not seek Yahweh.

“House of The Lord” - Confronted with the prophetic word announcing his imminent death.

Hezekiah seeks Yahweh and goes to the house of the Lord. Isa 38:1–2,20-22

Remembers the power and mercy of God.

When we have a relational knowledge of God, He gives us His wisdom to see the difference between his message of warnings and his message of promises.

God warns us of our trespasses to turn away from them and instead trust and follow his ways. God does not promise in getting rid the consequences of our mistakes but he promises to be present as our hope and comfort. God’s grace and justice work together perfectly.

Hezekiah’s Consequence

“House of Hezekiah” - lost all his fathers treasures and failed in succession on his role as a king for his nation and a father to his sons and daughters.

(The focus of Isa 39 is Hezekiah’s motivations and actions lead to the fate of the royal house (its treasures and its sons) and in effect the entire house of Israel.)

100 yes later… Some of his sons ended up as eunuchs (“unfruitful”) in the house of pagans. The “house of Hezekiah” (his sons) belonged in the house of other gods.

“House of The Lord” - Hezekiah received miraculous sign and healing from God,

But God... fulfils the Davidic line in the person of Jesus Christ.

Triumphed in succeeding humanity to become kings and priests. 1 Pet 2:9, Rev 1:6

All who trusts in him becomes fruitful. Joel 2:28-29,

and becomes the new house of His Spirit. 1 Cor 3:16-17, 6:19-20

The final story of Hezekiah shows that even the most faithful people can sometimes make mistakes by relying on human efforts instead of trusting in God's sovereign purposes to deal with challenges and problems.

This story should also echo the teachings of Jesus Christ in Matt 7:24-27, Luke 6:47-49 where Jesus compares the hearing and practice of his teachings to a wise man who built his house on a rock.

A wise person are those who put Jesus’ words into practice; they too are building to withstand anything.

A foolish person are thos who pretend to have faith, who have a merely intellectual commitment, or who enjoy Jesus in small doses are foolish builders. When the storms of life come, their structures fool no one, above all not God.

Hezekiah appears to have wasted God’s blessing of extending his life 15 more years based on his final story in Isaiah 39.

How will you respond to God’s words today?

Genesis 4:7 (ESV)

7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door.”

Revelation 3:20 (ESV)

20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.

Isaiah 39 compels each of us for complete trust and loyalty to Jesus who perfectly fulfilled all God has asked, where it’s not just about saying the right things, being generally good, or practicing religion but it's actually about turning away from our sins and trusting in Jesus Christ alone for our salvation.

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“House of Hezekiah”

“treasures” = silver, gold, spices, precious oils, armory (Isa 39:2, 2 Kings 20:13 )

Hezekiah “rejoiced” over his alliance with Merodach-baladan.

Focal point in Hezekiah’s presentation.

Hezekiah's misplaced trust in Merodach and his decision to display his own treasure house instead of honoring/focusing on the house of the Lord were evidence of his failure to rely on Yahweh. (contrast to 2 Kings 20:5)

When we have high priority in showing “our treasure house”, it reveals our untold/underlying motivations = we have the highest priority of trusting in human efforts.

When Babylonians came to visit him due to his illness, he missed a chance to share his experience with them - his sickness, his sincere prayers, the letter he received, the miraculous sign from God, and his healing. If he had focused on what God promised him ("I will defend this city" in 38:6), he wouldn't have needed help from the Babylonians against the Assyrians. His error was not focusing on what God had already done.

Confronted with an interrogation by Isaiah critiquing his king’s actions.

Hezekiah was not shaken by Isaiah’s proclamation of future judgment for his nation, “my days” portrays a self-centered Hezekiah.

Hezekiah does not seek Yahweh.

Hezekiah failed the Davidic line despite having a great start - failure in succession on his role as a king for his nation and a father to his sons and daughters.

(The focus of Isa 39 is Hezekiah’s motivations and actions lead to the fate of the royal house (its treasures and its sons) and in effect the entire house of Israel.)

Some of his sons ended up as eunuchs (“unfruitful”) in the house of pagans.

The house of Hezekiah had become the house of other gods.

Foolish builder

“House of The Lord”

“treasures” = God’s presence Ps 73:28, wisdom (Prov 2:4), law Ps 119:72, testimonies Ps 119:14.

Hezekiah asked for and received a divine promise of salvation and rejoicing. Isa 25:9, 37:20, 35; 38:20

Not mentioned at all in Hezekiah’s presentation.

When we have high priority in testifying “the house of the Lord”, it reveals our untold/underlying motivations = we have the highest priority of trusting in God.

Confronted with the prophetic word announcing his imminent death.

Hezekiah seeks Yahweh and goes to the house of the Lord. Isa 38:1–2,20-22

Remembers the power and mercy of God.

When we have a relational knowledge of God, He gives us the wisdom to see the difference between his message of warnings and his message of promises - God warns us of our trespasses to turn away from them and instead trust and follow his ways. God does not promise in getting rid the consequences of our mistakes but he promises to be present as our hope and comfort in the midst of that. God’s grace and justice work together perfectly.

God fulfilled the Davidic line in the person of Jesus Christ.

Triumphed in succeeding humanity to become kings and priests. 1 Pet 2:9, Rev 1:6

All who trusts in him becomes fruitful. Joel 2:28-29,

and becomes the new house of His Spirit. 1 Cor 3:16-17, 6:19-20

Wise builder

I. Hezekiah’s misplaced trust.

Isaiah 39:1–2 ESV

1 At that time Merodach-baladan the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent envoys with letters and a present to Hezekiah, for he heard that he had been sick and had recovered. 2 And Hezekiah welcomed them gladly. And he showed them his treasure house, the silver, the gold, the spices, the precious oil, his whole armory, all that was found in his storehouses. There was nothing in his house or in all his realm that Hezekiah did not show them.

Isaiah 1–39 3. Trusting Babylon rather than God (39:1–8)

Hezekiah’s actions are viewed as being either (a) an incredibly naïve demonstration of his wealth and power; (b) a calculated political move to establish a treaty with Babylon; or (c) “gestures of courtesy, and nothing of a distinctly ‘sinful’ nature.” Isaiah’s later condemnation of Hezekiah’s display of his money and military power demonstrates that Hezekiah was sinful, for “human power and glory is exactly what the first half of the book is warning against.”235 Instead of focusing on glorifying God for healing him of his sickness, he was intent on displaying his own earthly glory so that the Babylonians would find him a legitimate partner in their coalition against the Assyrians.

I’m not prepared to say confidently that Hezekiah’s motivation was pride or arrogance or self-confidence in showing “my house… my storehouses...” but I am prepared to say that they are probabilities to his motivation plus another possibility of a political alliance with Merodach-baladan showing evidence that he is a worthy ally because he has riches and not because of Yahweh.

Just because you are in the “elect” does not guarantee you salvation. The “election” doctrine demonstrates

Friendship is knocking at your housedoor.

Problem is crouching at your housedoor.

2 Chron 32:31

Isaiah 39:3–4 ESV

3 Then Isaiah the prophet came to King Hezekiah, and said to him, “What did these men say? And from where did they come to you?” Hezekiah said, “They have come to me from a far country, from Babylon.” 4 He said, “What have they seen in your house?” Hezekiah answered, “They have seen all that is in my house. There is nothing in my storehouses that I did not show them.”

Isaiah’s interrogation of Hezekiah bridges the consequence of Hezekiah’s intents and actions from v.1-2.

Only in verse 3 do both Isaiah (“Isaiah the prophet”) and Hezekiah (“King Hezekiah”) get their respective titles,40 anticipating the type-scene of a prophet critiquing a king’s actions.

The prophet comes unbidden, which is a foreboding sign (v. 3a), especially after the experience of 38:1, where he likewise arrives uninvited and unsought. The series of questions by the prophet turns the interview into a kind of interrogation so that, even without a consideration of the content of the questions, the reader is prompted to rethink any positive evaluation of the events of verses 1 and 2. For the prophet to take so much interest in the visit, there must have been more than meets the eye.

The context invites us to link the to God’s sovereignty in using his prophets to critiquing his king’s actions.

Isaiah 39:5–8 ESV

5 Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, “Hear the word of the Lord of hosts: 6 Behold, the days are coming, when all that is in your house, and that which your fathers have stored up till this day, shall be carried to Babylon. Nothing shall be left, says the Lord. 7 And some of your own sons, who will come from you, whom you will father, shall be taken away, and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.” 8 Then Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “The word of the Lord that you have spoken is good.” For he thought, “There will be peace and security in my days.”

In the book of Isaiah, chapters 36 to 39 have some extra notes that convey important ideas in the story's message. One of these notes, found in verse 8 of chapter 39, stands out because it's not directly part of the main story. This might be important because it draws attention to itself. It's not linked to the rest of the narrative and doesn't require a response from Hezekiah, the king. So, Hezekiah's reaction, if any, would be his own choice and could reveal something personal about him.

Confronted with the prophetic word announcing his imminent death, Hezekiah seeks YHWH (see 38:1–2), but his response to the prophetic word in 39:8 contrasts sharply with his stance in chapter 38.79

“my days” portrays a self-centered Hezekiah, not shaken by Isaiah’s proclamation of future judgment for his nation.

The difference between God’s warnings and God’s promises - when we have a relational knowledge of God, God warns us of our trespasses to turn away from them and instead trust and follow his ways, he doesn’t promise us that we will be punished regardless whether we repent or not. God’s mercy and justice can work together in tandem.

Hezekiah made several mistakes in this situation. First, he didn't ask himself, "What does God want me to do?"

Thirdly, there's no such thing as a harmless compromise with the enemy that doesn't affect one's faith in God. Even seemingly small concessions can weaken your trust in God. Faith means relying solely on God, and turning to any other source for hope is a denial of that trust.

Lastly, while accepting God's will is good, it's never too late to ask God for mercy and grace. God hears prayers and forgives repentant hearts. So, it's every believer's duty to pray for others, especially our own family members who might suffer for our mistakes.

Do we have high-priority on God being our treasure over than earthly treasures?

Do we have urgency in pursuing God as our treasure over than earthly treasures?

As fathers, we are to lead a selfless heart for our families - this is essentially in the inversion (turning upside down) of expectations and roles as a “believing household” spoken by Apostle Paul in Eph 5:25-29, Col 3:18-25

When we as fathers and mothers “miss the mark” in trusting Jesus Christ for the enrichment of our households, paves the way for them to belong in the household of the world.

This is not the same as being “born in a Christian family”, but it is about the household’s pursuit of the richness of Christ and the fruitfulness of His Spirit.

failed succession - instead of

imperfect/flawed/open to error in judging people’s hearts BUT God...

the announcement of judgment precisely matches Hezekiah’s actions: “all that was in my house” (39:4) // “all that is in your house” (39:6); “there was not a thing” (39:4) // “not a thing will remain” (39:6).

The contrast, then, in the mind of the reader when reading verse 7 will be (pagan) palace versus the temple of YHWH. Instead of Hezekiah’s sons being found in the temple (as was anticipated and desired by Hezekiah in 38:20 and 22), they will be in the palace of the king of Babylon (39:7).

Nature/Character of God does not change Num 23:19, Mal 3:6

Purposes of God does not change Isa 46:9-10,

Jesus modeled prayer John 17:1-5, 6-19,

never stop praying 1 Thes 5:17, Eph 6:18

Phil 4:6-7

The focus of Isa 39 is on the fate of the royal house (its treasures and its sons), and a structural outline of the chapter is set out below:

A Envoys sent letters and gift (v.1-2a)

B Envoys shown everything, especially his house and his kingdom (v.2b)

C Isaiah’s questions (v.3a)

D Hezekiah’s answer (v.3b)

E “from Babylon”

C Isaiah’s question (v.4a)

D Hezekiah’s answer (v.4b)

B Isaiah’s pronouncement about treasure (v.5-6)

A Isaiah’s pronouncement about some of Hezekiah’s sons (v.7)

Postscript Hezekiah’s response (v.8)