# 12 2026 Dev. Isa.39-40. Hezekiah’s Folly and God’s Grace! Read all of chapter thirty-nine and forty first. We invite you into God’s space, to read His Word, to think on and interact with. This is God’s Story. Do you believe that this may also be part of our story, in our time? All passages are taken from the NIV.
Isaiah 39: Envoys from Babylon: “Hezekiah received the envoys gladly and showed them what was in his storehouses—the silver, the gold, the spices, the fine olive oil—his entire armory and everything found among his treasures.”
Vs.1-2 At that time Marduk-Baladan son of Baladan king of Babylon sent Hezekiah letters and a gift, because he had heard of his illness and recovery. The visit of the Babylonians seems innocent enough, but Hezekiah went out of his way to show them his treasures. Pride goes before a fall. This we must take to heart, Satan knows how to tempt us.
Vs. 3-7 God sent the prophet to ask Hezekiah about the visit of the Babylonians. Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, “Hear the word of the Lord Almighty: The time will surely come when everything in your palace, and all that your predecessors have stored up until this day, will be carried off to Babylon. Nothing will be left, says the Lord.”
V.8 “The word of the Lord you have spoken is good,” Hezekiah replied. For he thought, “There will be peace and security in my lifetime.” Instead of repenting as he did before, he was completely short sighted and thought only for his time, even though his own offspring will suffer.
Isaiah 40: After the prophecy of captivity in Ch 39 this chapter is the precursor of the coming and the work of Jesus. “Comfort for God’s People” freedom from the tyranny of sin.
Vs.1-2 “Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her
that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for…”
Vs.3-5 “In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all people will see it together. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” This is a direct reference to John the Baptist, the last Old Testament Prophet.
Vs.6-9 A voice says, “Cry out.” And I said, “What shall I cry?” The next verses, are a comparison of the human race and the voice of God. “All people are like grass,” temporary, “but the word of the Lord our God endures forever.” Yes, there is no comparison.
Vs.10-11 “He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart…” This is Jesus’ intention for all of us, he wants to gather us into his arms and carry us through this life and carry us to heaven.
Vs.12-14 “Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens?” Who is able to understand the ways of the Lord, His mercy, His grace, His love, and His intention for us?
Vs.15-17 “Surely the nations are like a drop in a bucket; they are regarded as dust on the scales; he weighs the islands as though they were fine dust.” Nations and people are of no account, even so the Lord is our Savior.
Vs.18-20 “With whom, then, will you compare God? To what image will you liken him?” That is the question, what is God compared to, is there anything on this earth or even in our minds? No, there is no comprehension!
Vs.21-24 “Do you not know? Have you not heard? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood since the earth was founded?” God is in control, He orchestrates all events on the earth and in our lives. Amen!
Vs.25-31 “To whom will you compare me?” There is no comparison to God. “Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God the Creator of the ends of the earth.” What does this mean for us, the followers of Jesus? God promises “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Thanks be to God!
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