Tyndale Open Study NotesIsaiah 39

Hezekiah was an example of godliness, prayer, and care for the people of Jerusalem. However, he disappointed the Lord by showing off his wealth and military power to the envoys from Babylon.

Merodach-baladan, the king of Babylon from 722 to 710 and 704 to 703 BC, planned to rebel against Assyria. He sought help from Hezekiah. His envoys visited after Hezekiah recovered from a serious illness but before Sennacherib's final attack in 701 BC.

silver … precious oils … his entire armory: By showing these treasures, Hezekiah demonstrated to Babylon's envoys that he had the resources to be a valuable ally.

carried off to Babylon: This prophecy came before the prophecy about saving Jerusalem (Isaiah 37:35). Although this judgment and exile seem like a surprising end to Hezekiah's story, the exile of Israel and Judah was always a possibility (Isaiah 10:3–4, 20–23).

The Lord promised to protect Judah and Jerusalem from the Assyrians in 701 BC, but he warned Isaiah that worse would happen if they did not change. God showed his power and reliability by defeating the Assyrians, but the people did not change. The promises of Isaiah 2:1–5 and 4:2–6 would only come true through judgment (4:4).

Until the exile cleansed the nation's wrongdoings (Isaiah 6:5–7), their mission to other nations would not succeed.