[:en]SCRIPTURE: ISAIAH 39
“The time will surely come when everything in your palace, and all that your fathers have stored up until this day, will be carried off to Babylon. Nothing will be left, says the Lord. And some of your descendants, your own flesh and blood who will be born to you, will be taken away, and they will become eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon” (Isaiah 39:6-7)
ENVOYS FROM BABYLON (vs. 1-8)
When the king of Babylon Merodach-Baladan knew of king Hezekiah’s illness, he sent him letter and a gift through his envoys. Hezekiah welcomed the enemy and showed them all the royal treasures of silver gold, spices, fine oil, his entire armory and everything found among his treasures (vs. 1-2)
Prophet Isaiah told Hezekiah that Babylon was the real enemy and one day it would conquered Judah. Hezekiah seemed confident because he thought that there will be peace and security in his life time. He had no concern for the future of his people.
LESSON: Beware of the kisses of your enemy. Sometimes the enemy uses flattery to conquer you. Remember that when pride took over, discernment disappeared. “Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful” (Prov. 27:6) and ” A flattery mouth works ruin” (Prov. 26:28)[:]