The Prophet and His Day: Isaiah 1-39 - Free Bible Commentary

Also note that the Babylon of Hezekiah’s visitors is not the same Babylon that caused the fourexiles. Much of Isaiah’s poetry is ambiguous enough to relate to1. Assyria2. Babylon3. Neo-Babylon4. end-time events} “shall be taken away” This happened to King Jehoiachin (cf. II Kgs. 24:15).} “officials” The term (BDB 710) literally means “eunuchs,” but it came to refer to high court officials(cf. Potiphar was married, Gen. 39:1). In this context the term must refer to1. a token symbol of Babylonian power2. a ward of the state39:8 “The word of the LORD which you have spoken is good” This is a startling statement. It eithermeans that Hezekiah realizes his pride was the source of God’s just judgment and, therefore, is fair, or itmay imply, as in v. 8b, that he is just glad that the judgment will not occur in his day. Some scholarshave asserted that the reason for the king’s happiness is that this means he will have a son.DISCUSSION QUESTIONSThis is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretationof the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priorityin interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this sectionof the book. They are meant to be thought-provoking, not definitive.1. How is this concept of trust related to the Assyrian official’s haunting message in Isaiah 36 and37?2. Did Hezekiah pay tribute to Assyria and did he have a military alliance with Egypt?3. Why is Isaiah 37:20 so significant?4. Why does God give two signs to Hezekiah?5. Why is Hezekiah judged so severely for showing the Babylonian officials his treasure?375