Pastor Tim Brown, Calvary Chapel Fremont, Wednesday June 17, 2009

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Isaiah 39

1  Merodach-Baladan, king of Babylon, was mounting a resistance to the Assyrian Empire.  He has been attempting to form an alliance w/ other nations to throw off the Assyrian yoke.  MB had sent messengers to congratulate Hezekiah on his recovery, but there was more to it than that/reconnaissance mission/attempt to recruit him to the alliance being formed.  But 2C32:31 tells us that there is more than a political angle to this story – there’s a spiritual one - God’s test of Hezekiah’s heart. 

Even in the matter of the envoys of the rulers of Babylon, who sent to him to inquire of the wonder that had happened in the land, God left him alone only to test him, that He might know all that was in his heart.  2 Chr. 32:31

God left him alone in the sense that He didn’t send Isaiah to warn beforehand.  H should have known from previous dealings of God that he should not be impressed w/ Babylonian messengers – he was not put his hope in Babylon.  Sometimes the Lord will not give us any real obvious guidance in a matter but leave us to listen to what the Spirit and Scripture have already taught us.  Have we really thought through the implications of what we’re doing?  Have we really brought it before the Lord?  Are we taught of the Spirit or driven by the flesh and circumstances?  I dislike walking a dog when I have to constantly yank at his chain while he smells where all the other dogs have been.  I like one that has learned to walk by my side.  

    * 2 Hezekiah didn’t discern the presence of the enemy.  Hezekiah was in the presence of the enemy and didn’t know it.
          o Those who would one day impoverish/enslave Judah came w/ encouragement.  Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.  He came w/ presents for Jesus – all these kingdoms.
          o So many don’t discern presence of the enemy: Joshua didn’t discern the deceit of the Gibeonites/Samson & Delilah.
          o So often, the enemy doesn’t seek to undermine our commitment to believe the truth, but our commitment to live in the truth.
          o Balak didn’t force Israel to defect from a belief in God, he just incited them to indulge their passions – that was enough.  Curiosity leads to compromise leads to corruption.
          o Presence of the enemy can be seen in our culture.  Greatest impact of culture - shapes a view of self/how life is to work.  Culture doesn't teach by proposition, but by narrative – story telling.  It doesn't press one value , but the relativity of all values.  It champions none and discounts all.

Three reasons Hezekiah didn’t discern the presence of the enemy - 

    * #1  Hezekiah didn’t discern the presence of the enemy because they made him feel good.
    * V2  H was glad: a feeling prompted by some external and unsustained stimulus.
    * H was stimulated by the enemy.  He caved in to flattery.  The enemy rode in on a wave of good feeling.  When you are ecstatic for the wrong reasons, you are vulnerable.  Jesus was not excited about the gifts and possibilities that Satan presented Him.
    * The enemy would get us worked up (joy/sadness/anger) - that’s when it’s easy to get off center. Cf. Samson and Delilah.

    * #2  Hezekiah didn’t discern the presence of the enemy because the danger seemed so remote.  How can this hurt me?
          o Joshua and Gibeonites – they are so far away…  One pill/drink – addiction is so remote…
          o Music/images/relationships/habits… When there is not a watchfulness there is not a wisdom.  Guard your heart…

    * #3  Hezekiah didn’t discern the presence of the enemy because he was trying to impress them with who he was and what he had.
          o When your goal is to impress someone else with who you are and what you have and what you have accomplished, you set yourself up for a fall.

    * In H’s mind, the wealth represented the strength of the nation.
          o H attempted to impress Babylon w/ the flesh.  Instead of pointing to the mighty God who had healed him and who had promised to deliver him, H dealt w/ Babylon at the level of their values.  Instead of lifting them up, he was dragged down.
          o When H revealed his riches, he was boasting in them.  His wealth, and not the Lord, was the strength of his kingdom.  If you’re going to boast, boast in the Lord.
          o As the church of Jesus, our strength is not to be our facilities/ programs/methods.  We are not just to have better music/film/ programs/etc.  We are to set forth God – this is greatest need of the world and greatest strength of the church.

3-7  His questions weren’t for the purpose of gaining info, but of bringing the king to a realization of what he had done.

    * When Isaiah learned that Hezekiah had shown him all his treasures. Isaiah gave him a two-part prophecy of judgment.
          o 1st, what you boast in will be taken from you.
          o 2nd, “Your strength and your future are in the enemy’s camp – they belong to the enemy.”  Your lack of discernment today will result in bondage tomorrow.

A little bird was flying south for the winter.  It got so cold it froze and fell to the ground in a large field.  While it was lying there a cow came by and dropped some manure on it. As it lay there in the pile of manure, it began to realize how warm it was.  The manure was actually thawing him out.  He lay there warm and happy and soon began to sing for joy.  A passing cat heard the little bird and came to investigate.  Following the sound, the cat discovered the bird under the pile of manure and promptly dug him out and ate him.  Morals: Not everyone who drops manure on you is your enemy.  Not everyone who digs you out is your friend.  When you’re in the manure, keep your mouth shut.

Sin compromised the kingdom.

8  The Coldness of Hezekiah

    * H desired peace of condition and not peace of conscience
          o When revealed to him that he would die, H prayed.
          o When revealed to him that Assyria would invade, H prayed.
          o When revealed to him that Babylon would attack and the nation would die after he was gone, he philosophized.
          o His praying stopped the march of armies, it arrested the delusions of madmen, and cheated death.  Why did he stop?
          o The practice of prayer brought great deliverance to H/the spirit of prayer brought him great discernment.  He abandoned both toward the end of his life.  H’s life would have ended differently had he finished as he started and practiced for so long.  Don’t tire out!  Don’t grow weary!