In Isaiah, chapter thirty-nine, verse six, “Behold, the days come, that all that is in thine house, and that which thy fathers have laid up in store until this day, shall be carried to Babylon: nothing shall be left, saith the LORD.” When the Babylonians would conquer the city of God, they would carry off God’s people and treasures to their own country, as in chapter fourteen, verses three to four. In the final analysis, the cause of the Babylonian captivity was not Hezekiah’s foolishness in showing the temple treasures, but the sins of the people. And especially Hezekiah’s son Manasseh, as in Second Kings twenty-one. After Hezekiah’s death, the nation once again rebuilt the centers of idol worship.
Now, the situation with Hezekiah’s sickness begins to unfold. God came to Isaiah the prophet to Hezekiah in the latter part of chapter thirty-eight, verse one, “Set thine house in order: for thou shalt die, and not live.” Those words God used through His servant to the King of Judah are a message. The Lord desired Hezekiah to depart to be with Him because He knew what was forthcoming. After God heard Hezekiah’s prayer and saw his tears, He granted him fifteen additional years to his life.
Someone would look at this situation and think: Why would God grant His servant more time on earth if the outcome will not be good for His people? God is merciful and loving. However, God does not force anyone to listen and be obedient. It is up to the believer if they desire to follow God’s plan or not because, in the end, we do have a choice. Manasseh would not exist doing these ungodly things, and God’s people would not be back sinning against God if Hezekiah did what God said through Isaiah.