033. II. Isaiah’s Activity During Sargon’s Reign 722–705
II ISAIAH’S ACTIVITY DURING SARGON’S REIGN 722–705 1. The Earlier Events of Hezekiah’s Reign
It is probable that the earlier years of Hezekiah’s reign, whether it began in 727 B. C. or later,[39] were years of comparative prosperity. The young king differed greatly from his father, and was undoubtedly a pupil and friend of the prophet Isaiah. One of his earliest official actions seems to have been the public acknowledgment of the nation’s fealty to Jehovah. He promoted certain measures of religious reform, and probably encouraged improvements in social administration. His military policy was vigorous and sensible. He was readily acknowledged as leader among the petty rulers of Palestine. He was popular with his people. By exploiting, after the manner of Uzziah, the resources of his country, he was able to pay the annual tribute to Assyria, and still to accumulate no little treasure. Meanwhile, he judiciously strengthened his defenses, probably constructing the conduit (2 Kings 20:20), which insured a good supply of water in case of a siege. On the whole, his people were justified in taking heart and renewing their impatience of outside control.
[39] See note, page 134. At what period of his life the events related in Isaiah 38, 39 took place cannot be surely determined, in the absence of certainty regarding the beginning or end of his reign. The sickness of Hezekiah must have preceded by about a year the embassy of Merodach-baladan (Isaiah 39:1). The latter event almost certainly took place about 714, or about 704 B. C. At both of these times Merodach-baladan was an active enemy of the reigning king of Assyria. Judah was being enticed by her immediate neighbors to revolt, and was enough of a leader in Southern Palestine to make the flattering advances of the Babylonian far from ridiculous. In view of the fact, however, that Hezekiah seems to have avoided making any treaty, and to have been impressed by Isaiah’s point of view, we may relate these incidents as if they happened just before the outbreak in Ashdod, about 712 B. C., which was put down so quickly by Saigon’s general.
Hezekiah’s sickness and recovery (Isaiah 38:1-8;Isaiah 38:21. Compare2 Kings 20:1-11). Hezekiah was taken with an apparently mortal illness. Even the prophet Isaiah believed that it was Jehovah’s will that he should die, and advised him to give his last injunctions to his successor. But the good king longed to live, and plead with God for grace. At once the answer came. Before the departing prophet had left the palace he received this comforting message for Hezekiah: “I, the God of thy father David, have listened, and will heal thee. Thou shalt continue to worship me for fifteen years to come, and I will make thy capital secure.”[40]At the king’s request, this promise was confirmed by a striking sign. A strongly marked shadow falling on the step-clock set up by Ahaz was made to alter its position by ten steps, as if the sun had retreated in the heaven.
“And what can I say of his wonderful deliverance. Help me to make worthy my remaining life. For my welfare was this bitter experience; thou hast delivered and forgiven me. I thank thee that thou dost spare me to live and praise thy name.”] The embassy of Merodach-baladan to Hezekiah; (Isaiah 39:1-2). No sooner had the news of this recovery had time to reach Babylonia than Merodach-baladan, a claimant of the throne of Babylon, and hence a foe to the king of Assyria, to whose authority he would not bow, seized the opportunity to send a formal embassy to Hezekiah to bear a royal gift, and to offer his congratulations. They were given secret instructions to negotiate a treaty with the king of Judah, or at least to stir him to rebellion against the Assyrian king. Flattered by this attention, Hezekiah sought to prove the value of his friendship by exhibiting to the envoys all his royal resources.
Isaiah’s reproof and prediction (Isaiah 39:3-7.). The prophet Isaiah, knowing their real motive, questioned the king about them. He answered evasively, but admitted that he had shown them his treasures. Then the prophet pointed out to him his wickedness and folly, for his willingness to enter into such alliances and his pride in his own resources were directly opposed to a sincere trust in Jehovah. His foolish display of wealth to these distant Babylonians God would punish by a Babylonian invasion.
Hezekiah’s acquiescence (Isaiah 39:8). Hezekiah perceived the weakness of the plan, and resigned himself to Jehovah’s will, hoping that peace and stability would at least remain with him.
2. Edom’s Anxiety and the Judgment upon Arabia (Isaiah 21:11-17)
About the year 711 B. C., when the inhabitants of Ashdod and Gath broke out in open rebellion against Sargon, according to an Assyrian inscription, Edom, Moab, other Philistine cities, and Judah, were also compromised. It was probably at this time that Isaiah uttered these sayings upon the nations which meditated revolt.
Edom’s query and the prophet’s reply (Isaiah 21:11-12). Hear the men of Edom[41]asking the prophet whether their troubles will soon be over. By such a riddle as their men of wisdom will understand, the prophet answers that there is mingled hope and despair in prospect This is all that he can see at present [41] Dumah may be a sort of anagram for Edom. The destruction coming upon North Arabia (Isaiah 21:13-17). O men of Tema! go forth with provisions to succor the caravan of merchants from Dedan, which, avoiding the armed bands of invaders, is forced to encamp at night in the barren desert. For within a year the tribes of North Arabia, famous though their bowmen be, shall be humbled and almost destroyed.
3. The Symbolic Prediction of the Captivity of Egypt and Ethiopia (Isaiah 20:1-6) The hapless plight of Palestine’s would-be helpers (Isaiah 20:1-6). In the very year that the army sent against Ashdod by Sargon appeared, Jehovah gave me a message against Egypt and Ethiopia. In obedience to his will, I, a noble of the court, had walked the streets of Jerusalem for many months in captive’s garb to illustrate the certain result of the popular desire to rebel. Then I was told to say: “This symbolic prophecy has been designed to impress the fact that Egypt and Ethiopia shall be led off into exile to Assyria. What then will be the dismay and terror of the inhabitants of this region when those on whom they are relying for support in their rebellion against their over-lord are so utterly helpless!”
4. Moab’s Past Calamity soon to be Repeated (Isaiah 15:1 to Isaiah 16:14) Recall, O men of Judah, the word of prophecy uttered many years ago[42] against Moab.
Moab’s great calamity (Isaiah 15:1-9). Moab’s two chief cities have been captured and destroyed in a night. As the news spreads northward, with bared heads and shorn beards her people crowd around the altars, or throng the roofs and market-places, overcome with grief. Even the warriors are unmanned. Alas for Moab! Her homeless fugitives, spreading the woeful tidings as they go, hasten toward Edom. But even a more terrible fate is in store for the bloody capital.[43] [43]
5. The Judgment upon Egypt and its Outcome (Isaiah 19:1-25)
Jehovah’s coming judgment will destroy Egypt’s independence and fertility (Isaiah 19:1-10). Judgment impends upon Egypt Jehovah, riding on the swift-flying cloud, is about to cause her idols to quake with terror, and her people to collapse from fear. Vexed by internal anarchy and strife, and at a loss to know what to do, they will resort to sorcery, but without avail. Jehovah will give them up to a cruel foreign conqueror. The great river Nile also shall be dried up, and its branches and canals become shallow and stagnant. The verdure on its banks shall wither, the fishermen, who throve through its bounty, shall mourn, all those whose livelihood depends upon its products shall be sad. Her wise leaders shall lead her to destruction (Isaiah 19:11-15). A spirit of folly shall seize upon the sages of Egypt, so renowned for their wisdom, and so proud of their descent. The princes of Zoan and Memphis, the bulwarks of the ancient empire, shall, by foolish adventures, lead their people to ruin. In the desperate bewilderment of all classes in the state, the whole body politic shall, like one intoxicated, reel to destruction.
Egypt’s future relations with Judah (Isaiah 19:16-25).[44]But in Jehovah’s day, when Egypt has distinctly recognized Jehovah’s share in this judgment, and stands in such awe of him that she can scarcely endure the mention of Judah, his abode, she will understand and own his grace.
[44] Verses 16–25 are in prose, and are regarded by some scholars as an appendix composed by Isaiah at the close of his life, by others as post-exilic. Her five sacred cities, headed by Heliopolis, shall adopt the language of Canaan, and swear allegiance to Jehovah. Her acceptance of the worship of Jehovah shall be symbolized by an altar in her midst and a pillar on her border. These shall be a token of Jehovah’s protection. In time, through many experiences of chastisement and deliverance, her people shall learn to know him truly. A highway for traffic shall be open through Palestine from Egypt to Assyria, her hereditary foe. The three nations shall form a league for the blessing of the world. Egypt shall be called Jehovah’s people, Assyria his handiwork, and Israel his heritage.