Isaiah Chapter 39 – Pride Before the Fall
Isaiah Chapter 39 serves as a turning point in the narrative. After a miraculous healing and a supernatural sign, Hezekiah receives envoys from Babylon. But instead of glorifying God, the king showcases his riches. This misstep opens the door to prophetic warning: all that he showed will one day be carried away. It’s a sobering reminder that pride—even after victory—can bring future ruin.
From Praise to Pride: When Blessings Are Mishandled
✔ Babylon sends letters and gifts to Hezekiah.
✔ Hezekiah proudly shows them all his treasures.
✔ Isaiah rebukes the king with a prophetic warning.
✔ Everything will be taken by Babylon—including his descendants.
✔ Hezekiah accepts the word of the Lord—but short-sightedly.
📖 Isaiah 39:6 – “Behold, the days come, that all that is in thine house… shall be carried to Babylon: nothing shall be left, saith the Lord.”
🔎 A moment of pride plants seeds for future judgment.
Isaiah Chapter 39 - Overview
Isaiah 39:1–2 – The Babylonian Visitors
📖 Isaiah 39:1 – “At that time Merodachbaladan… sent letters and a present to Hezekiah: for he had heard that he had been sick, and was recovered.”
🔎 Babylon’s gesture seems kind—but beneath it was calculation. The rising empire sought allies and intelligence. Hezekiah was being tested not only by them, but by God.
📖 Isaiah 39:2 – “And Hezekiah was glad of them, and shewed them the house of his precious things…”
🔎 Instead of testifying of God’s miracle, Hezekiah boasts in his wealth. Every storehouse, treasure, and armory was opened. The heart of Judah was laid bare—not in vulnerability, but in vanity.
➡️ Pride doesn’t always look evil—it can wear the smile of hospitality. But it exposes what we treasure most.
Isaiah 39:3–8 – Prophetic Warning of Future Loss
📖 Isaiah 39:3–4 – “What have they seen in thine house?”
🔎 Isaiah’s question cuts deep. It reveals the root issue: what we show reveals what we value. Hezekiah’s showcase revealed more pride than praise.
📖 Isaiah 39:5–7 – “They shall be carried to Babylon… thy sons shall be eunuchs.”
🔎 A chilling prophecy: Judah’s treasures and royal line will be humiliated in exile. Hezekiah’s pride has generational consequences.
📖 Isaiah 39:8 – “Good is the word of the Lord… there shall be peace and truth in my days.”
🔎 Hezekiah accepts the prophecy—but shows shortsightedness. He’s relieved for himself, not broken for the future.
➡️ Spiritual leadership must look beyond comfort today and care about legacy tomorrow.
Isaiah Chapter 39 - Deeper Study
Overview: The Test of Success
🔹 Timeframe: After Hezekiah’s healing and victory over Assyria.
🔹 Setting: Jerusalem, Hezekiah’s palace.
🔹 Theme: Pride, misplaced trust, short-sightedness.
🔹 Connection to Christ: Christ resisted temptation and glorified the Father—He is our perfect example of humility.
False Security in Human Praise
Isaiah 39 reveals how even godly men can stumble when basking in the approval of others. Hezekiah welcomed Babylon’s envoys not to glorify God, but to show off his wealth, achievements, and strength. This prideful openness would later bring sorrow to his descendants.
🔹 Praise from the world can become a trap.
🔹 Boasting in blessings without honoring the Giver leads to judgment.
🔹 Not every opportunity to impress is a divine opportunity to witness.
🔹 Hezekiah missed the chance to exalt God—he exalted himself.
🔹 What we flaunt today may become our children’s burden tomorrow.
➡️ Don’t build your confidence on the admiration of men—it fades. Let your treasure be in heaven, and your testimony be about God, not self.
Key Takeaways
🔑 Pride can undo the testimony of a miracle.
🔑 God sees what we reveal—and why we reveal it.
🔑 Future generations can be affected by present choices.
🔑 Short-sightedness is dangerous in leadership.
🔑 True humility gives glory to God, not self.
Prophetic Patterns & Dual Fulfillment
🔮 Babylon’s interest foreshadows Judah’s future captivity.
🔮 Hezekiah’s sons becoming eunuchs parallels Daniel’s captivity.
🔮 The fall of pride echoes throughout Scripture—Satan, Babel, and kings.
🔮 Jesus reverses the pattern—He emptied Himself (Philippians 2:5–8).
Historical & Cultural Context
📜 Diplomatic visits were political tools—but also spiritual tests.
📜 In ancient times, showing one’s treasures was a sign of wealth and trust.
📜 Babylon was rising, and this visit marks a prophetic hinge in Judah’s story.
📜 Isaiah’s boldness in confronting kings highlights the true role of a prophet.
Present-Day Reflection: What Are You Showing?
Hezekiah showed everything to the Babylonians—yet forgot to show them his God. In a world obsessed with image, success, and wealth, this chapter asks a hard question: What are you revealing with your life?
🔹 Are you flaunting blessings—or glorifying the Giver?
🔹 Are you opening your heart to strangers but not to God?
🔹 Are you letting the world see your treasure—or His truth?
🔹 Are you securing legacy—or setting up loss for your children?
🔹 Are you pointing to yourself—or to the One who saved you?
➡️ The world is always watching. Make sure what you show leads them to Jesus.
💡 Final Reflection: The Test After the Triumph
Hezekiah passed the trial of sickness—but stumbled in the test of success. What about you?
📌 Are your victories wrapped in pride—or praise?
📌 Do your blessings point to you—or to the Giver?
📌 Is your heart open to rebuke—or closed in self-preservation?
📖 Isaiah 39:4 – “What have they seen in thine house?”
🔥 May our house display the glory of God—not the vanity of self.
Envoys from Babylon
Isa 39:1 At that time Merodachbaladan, the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present to Hezekiah: for he had heard that he had been sick, and was recovered.
Isa 39:2 And Hezekiah was glad of them, and shewed them the house of his precious things, the silver, and the gold, and the spices, and the precious ointment, and all the house of his armour, and all that was found in his treasures: there was nothing in his house, nor in all his dominion, that Hezekiah shewed them not.
Isa 39:3 Then came Isaiah the prophet unto king Hezekiah, and said unto him, What said these men? and from whence came they unto thee? And Hezekiah said, They are come from a far country unto me, even from Babylon.
Isa 39:4 Then said he, What have they seen in thine house? And Hezekiah answered, All that is in mine house have they seen: there is nothing among my treasures that I have not shewed them.
Isa 39:5 Then said Isaiah to Hezekiah, Hear the word of the LORD of hosts:
Isa 39:6 Behold, the days come, that all that is in thine house, and that which thy fathers have laid up in store until this day, shall be carried to Babylon: nothing shall be left, saith the LORD.
Isa 39:7 And of thy sons that shall issue from thee, which thou shalt beget, shall they take away; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.
Isa 39:8 Then said Hezekiah to Isaiah, Good is the word of the LORD which thou hast spoken. He said moreover, For there shall be peace and truth in my days.
Date Written
740–700 BC
Written By
The prophet Isaiah, son of Amoz
Language
Hebrew
Verses
8