Pride before the fall. The proud and foolish king.
In chapter thirty-nine we see the classic case of pride before the fall. We’re all familiar with the phrase, ‘Pride goes before the fall,’ well in this chapter we see the truth on steroids. In the previous chapters, King Hezekiah is faced with an attacking Assyrian army. He’s also presented with the stunning news that he is about to die. He begs for God’s mercy, which the Lord grants to him. What the king does to repay the Lord’s good favor is shocking, to be honest. He was a good king but he made one of the stupidest mistakes of any of the kings before or after his reign.
Isaiah told him there would be severe consequences for his foolish pride. His response to that news was probably the most surprising of all.
Isaiah 39:1 Pride before the fall: Through the front door
“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.”
The King of Babylon heard that Hezekiah was sick and recovered. He sent ambassadors to Judah to relay a message of thankfulness at the news of his health. The trap was set when the king let the enemy in the front door.
Isaiah 39:2 The treasures revealed
“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.”
They presented themselves as kind and caring. To show his gratitude to the ambassadors, he showed them the greatest treasures of Judah. No doubt they were impressed. It’s never wise to show a thief where you keep all your gold.
Isaiah 39:3 The king told a lie
“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.”
The prophet heard of the visit and asked who they were and from where they came. The king, understanding the prophet’s concern fudged the truth by saying they were from far away. But the same could be said about most of Israel’s enemies. Babylon became one of their greatest enemies but the king was willing to lie on their behalf. He was blinded by his own pride.
Isaiah 39:4 He showed them everything
“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.”
Hezekiah was foolish enough to think the treasures were his to show off. Many of the treasures were for secure eyes only. Only the Holy and anointed priests were permitted to see and use the treasures of the temple. The word holy carries with it the meaning of being cleansed and set apart for God’s purposes. The king didn’t have permission to show these things to thieves, but he did it anyway.
Isaiah 39:5 Pride before the fall: Hear God’s verdict
“Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, “Hear the word of the LORD of hosts.”
Get ready proud king, The Lord has a message for you.
Isaiah 39:6 Pride before the fall: Nothing will be left
“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.”
Everything the king showed the thieves of Babylon would eventually be stolen by them. When God was prepared to judge Babylon their own king made equally foolish decisions. They used the stolen treasures at a drunken party.
Isaiah 39:7 Pride before the fall: The king’s sons taken captive
“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.”
Not only would the precious treasures of the temple be stolen, but the king’s own sons would be taken captive as well.
Isaiah 39:8 Pride before the fall: At least I’ll be safe — right?
“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 this last verse, we see the depth of the king’s pride. As long as he was safe from any harm he was fine with God’s judgment. He didn’t seem to shed a tear of concern that his actions would cost his family members their lives and freedoms.
I guess it’s good to be king. Until the fall.
What follows is a good summary of the tragically stupid decisions the king made after the Lord so graciously extended his life.
Matthew Henry Commentary
It is good to know ourselves
2 Chronicles 32:24-33 God left Hezekiah to himself, that, by this trial and his weakness in it, what was in his heart might be known; that he was not so perfect in grace as he thought he was. It is good for us to know ourselves, and our own weakness and sinfulness, that we may not be conceited, or self-confident, but may always live in dependence upon Divine grace.
We don’t know our own hearts
We know not the corruption of our own hearts, nor what we shall do if God leaves us to ourselves. His sin was, that his heart was lifted up. What need have great men, and good men, and useful men, to study their own infirmities and follies, and their obligations to free grace, that they may never think highly of themselves; but beg earnestly of God, that he will always keep them humble!
The king didn’t return God’s grace
Hezekiah made a bad return to God for his favors, by making even those favors the food and fuel of his pride. Let us shun the occasions of sin: let us avoid the company, the amusements, the books, yea, the very sights that may administer to sin. Let us commit ourselves continually to God’s care and protection, and beg of him never to leave us nor forsake us. Blessed be God, death will soon end the believer’s conflict; then pride and every sin will be abolished. He will no more be tempted to withhold the praise which belongs to the God of his salvation.
The Church Fathers understood the mystery of the Antichrist.
Let me know what you think.