The Abiding Gift of Prophecy

Isaiah’s Message to Hezekiah

In the fourteenth year of his reign, the king of Assyria came against the kingdom of Judah. He had taken “all the fenced cities,” and was threatening Jerusalem. Hezekiah offered submission and tribute, and stripped the treasuries to pay what was demanded by the invader. But this did not avail. The king demanded the surrender of the city, boastfully enumerating his successful campaigns, and defying the God of Israel to deliver it out of his hands. Hezekiah spread the king’s letter before the Lord, and prayed earnestly for deliverance. God answered him through the prophet Isaiah, regarding the king of Assyria: AGP 138.2

“He shall not come into this city, nor shoot an arrow there, nor come before it with shield, nor cast a bank against it. By the way that he came, by the same shall he return, and shall not come into this city, saith the Lord. For I will defend this city, to save it, for Mine own sake, and for My servant David’s sake.” 2 Kings 19:32-34.

The very night following the delivery of this message to Hezekiah, thousands of the hosts of Assyria mysteriously perished. Their king, Sennacherib, and the rest of the army returned to Nineveh. The same God who gave the prophecy through Isaiah, wrought the deliverance that was promised. AGP 138.3

Yet Hezekiah was not free from wrong. When he erred, the prophet was the messenger of reproof. Ambassadors from Babylon AGP 138.4

had come to congratulate the king upon his recovery from a serious illness with which had been associated a remarkable sign in the heavens. To these representatives of a far country, Hezekiah had shown all the treasures of his house. Thus, instead of directing their minds to the power of the God who had wrought so mightily for him, he manifested a regal pride in his royal possessions. AGP 139.1

Soon the prophet appeared with a message of reproof for this vain display of wealth, naming for the first time the kingdom of Babylon as Judah’s future oppressor. Some of Hezekiah’s posterity were to “be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.” 2 Kings 20:18. AGP 139.2

The story of Isaiah and his prophecies is of itself worthy of an entire book. In concluding this brief sketch of his work, we shall refer only to the well-known fact that he saw in the distant future the advent and saving work of Him who was to be “wounded for our transgressions” and “bruised for our iniquities.” Far past His advent, the prophet beheld also His eternal peaceful reign, amid the glories of the earth made new. AGP 139.3