Chapter 28
-Ahaz,
who was the son of Jotham, became the king at the age of twenty and reigned
until his death at the age of thirty-six (16 year reign). He did not do right
in the eyes of the LORD acting wickedly in all manner of life. He walked in the
ways of the kings of Israel with idolatry making molten images for the Baals.
He burned incense in the valley of Ben-hinnom and even burned his sons in fire
according to the abominations of the nations whom the LORD had driven out
before the sons of Israel. He sacrificed and burned incense on the high places,
on the hills and under every green tree (2 Chronicles 28:1-4). Because of this,
the LORD delivered him into the hands of enemy kings both from Aram and Israel.
The Arameans took away captives, and Israel would have too if not for the
prophet Oded’s warning words and some sympathy on the part of some Israelites
with a conscience and some guilt (2 Chronicles 28:5-15).
-Ahaz
sent to the king (or kings in some later translations) of Assyria for help. The
Edomites had come on attack and also carried away captives. The Philistines had
attacked and taken back cities and villages in the Negev to the south. “For the
LORD humbled Judah because of Ahaz king of Israel, for he had brought about a
lack of restraint in Judah and was very unfaithful to the LORD (2 Chronicles
28:16-19).” Tilgath-pilneser, king of Assyria, also came against him instead of
helping him and would not accept bribes from the portions from the house of the
LORD for benefit. Even in his time of distress, King Ahaz became more
unfaithful to the LORD and His ways. He sacrificed to the gods who had defeated
him in battle, and they became his downfall as well as all Israel. He closed
the doors of the house of God and made altars for himself in every corner of
Jerusalem. In every city of Judah he erected high places to burn incense to
other gods, and provoked the LORD to anger. He died a defeated man buried in
the city of Jerusalem, but not in the tombs of the kings of Israel. Now his son
Hezekiah would come along after him and restore some holiness in the land (2
Chronicles 28:20-32:33).
-*Application*
Ahaz is a great example of what wayward and ineffective leadership can bring.
Instead of being strong and courageous, like many of his ancestors, in the
power and might of the LORD, he capitulated to foreign powers and alternative
gods. This only kindled the anger of God more and more against him and his
people. The nation suffered greatly because of his disobedience and total lack
of faith (Proverbs 25:19). As a leader, we must see the necessity of turning to
the LORD for our help and deliverance. He is the One who is our ever present
help in time of trouble (Psalm 37:38; 46:1). Going after idols is vain (Psalm
36:1, Jonah 2:8).
Verses to Memorize: 2 Chronicles 28:19,
22
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