Isaiah 39

Isaiah 39  

SATURDAY  Reflections

How smart would it be to show a potential thief everything you have? Dumb, to say the least. In ancient times and even today, political visitors are as likely to spy as they are to bring messages. Hezekiah though showed them everything. He showed them the riches, his defenses, everything but the plan Babylon could use to conquer Judah.

Yet the thing that disturbs me his pleasure that destruction wasn't going to happen in his time. Good leaders should be not just concerned about what is happening now but what can and will happen when they leave. In the book, Good to Great, Jim Collins makes the case that great leaders are concerned not just about the company now but what will happen when they leave. Even Jesus, the greatest leader, spent most of his time preparing the apostles for the time when he was gone. 

The question we need to ask is, "Are we preparing our ministry (business, family, etc.) for when we are no longer there? Or are we making things worse for those who come after us?" If we aren't making things better than we are failing. 

Isa 39:1-8
(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.
(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.
(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.
(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.
(5)  Then said Isaiah to Hezekiah, Hear the word of the LORD of hosts:
(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.
(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.
(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.

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