Tuesdays are for the Old Testament
Luther, Martin, edited by Jaroslav Pelikan, Hilton C. Oswald, translated by Herbert J.A. Bowman) Luther’s Works, Vol. 16, Lectures on Isaiah Chapters 1-39. St. Louis: Concordia, 1969. Logos Electronic Edition.
“Isaiah Chapter 39” pp. 346-349.
In Isaiah 39 the king of Babylon sends gifts to Hezekiah in thanks for his recovery. Hezekiah receives an embassy from Babylon and shows them all his fortifications and treasures. Luther has previously noted Hezekiah’s prideful presumption. Here again he sees that the king is arrogant (LW 16, 346). Luther considers that the afflictions we endure are intended to break our pride. Hezekiah, made happy because of the gifts, becomes more arrogant (LW 16, 348). The prophet Isaiah confronts the king, but after the fact. The embassy has already seen all Hezekiah had to show them. Luther paraphrases, “Because you put your trust in men, you will clash. Whence you expected help you will experience loss. This happens to all who trust in men. All alliances of the princes, of the emperor and the pope, have been broken, because they seek agreement without God” (LW 16, 349).
Although God’s judgment will fall upon Judah, it will not happen during Hezekiah’s time. Hezekiah’s observation in verse 8 is that it is good. He will have peace during his lifetime.