The visit of the emissary from Babylon was professed to be a result of Hezekiah’s healing. However, historians think the true intent was to incite Hezekiah to revolt against Assyria. Hezekiah warmly greeted these ambassadors, and with little thought to his nation’s security, took them on a grand tour of Judah’s treasures and armories. Hezekiah’s response to the rebuke of Isaiah (verse 19) can be taken in two ways. Perhaps it displayed a self-focused perspective: instead of regret for the coming judgment against his nation, he noted that at least during his lifetime he would enjoy peace. Or maybe he felt that because God was delaying judgment, there would be more time for the people of Judah to repent.
The visit of the emissary from Babylon was professed to be a result of Hezekiah’s healing. However, historians think the true intent was to incite Hezekiah to revolt against Assyria. Hezekiah warmly greeted these ambassadors, and with little thought to his nation’s security, took them on a grand tour of Judah’s treasures and armories. Hezekiah’s response to the rebuke of Isaiah (verse 19) can be taken in two ways. Perhaps it displayed a self-focused perspective: instead of regret for the coming judgment against his nation, he noted that at least during his lifetime he would enjoy peace. Or maybe he felt that because God was delaying judgment, there would be more time for the people of Judah to repent.