King Ahaz Walked Not After the Lord
2 Chronicles 28; 2 Kings 16
King Ahaz was the twelfth King of Judah and the son and successor of Jotham, king of Judah, who came to the throne about 734 B.C.
The only notable event of his reign, so far as we know, was the invasion made by his northern neighbors, Pekah of Israel and Rezin of Damascus.
Isa 7:1 And it came to pass in the days of Ahaz the son of Jotham, the son of Uzziah, king of Judah, that Rezin the king of Syria, and Pekah the son of Remaliah, king of Israel, went up toward Jerusalem to war against it, but could not prevail against it.
These two kings had made an alliance against the Assyrians and were trying to compel Ahaz to join the coalition.
When King Ahaz refused, they decided to war with Judah and defeat King Ahaz and then put a new king on the throne of Judah who would bring Judah's armies to battle with them against the Assyrians.
God was not about to allow this to take place.
Ahaz did not venture to take the field but shut himself up in Jerusalem and strengthened its fortifications.
It was perhaps at this time of need that he sacrificed his son as a burnt offering to false gods.
2Ki 16:2 Twenty years old was Ahaz when he began to reign, and reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem, and did not that which was right in the sight of the LORD his God, like David his father.
2Ki 16:3 But he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, yea, and made his son to pass through the fire, according to the abominations of the heathen, whom the LORD cast out from before the children of Israel.
We should clearly understand that God deals harshly with all those who sacrifice their children.
What did God teach them? Lev 20:2 Again, thou shalt say to the children of Israel, Whosoever he be of the children of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn in Israel, that giveth any of his seed unto Molech; he shall surely be put to death: the people of the land shall stone him with stones.
Lev 20:3 And I will set my face against that man, and will cut him off from among his people; because he hath given of his seed unto Molech, to defile my sanctuary, and to profane my holy name.
God will never approve of abortion!
God will never approve of the destruction of babies or small children.
It was at this time of his accession that Rezin, king of Damascus, and Pekah, king of Israel, had recently formed a league against Judah, and they proceeded to lay siege to Jerusalem, intending to place on the throne Ben-Tabeal, who was not a prince of the royal family of Judah, but probably a Syrian noble.
*****2Ch 28:1 Ahaz was twenty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem: but he did not that which was right in the sight of the LORD, like David his father:
2Ch 28:2 For he walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, and made also molten images for Baalim.
The reign of King Ahaz was disgraceful and full of devastating evil.
King Ahaz set loose a stream of wickedness that rushed Judah into total destruction under the hand of God's judgment.
Those who choose to pursue the wrath of God do not know what they are seeking.
To look at King Ahaz, you would think that he ruled Israel rather than Judah.
King Ahaz did not have a righteous bone in his body.
King Ahaz led Judah to worship Baal rather than Jehovah, the true God.
Nothing good is written about King Ahaz.
He does what is evil in the sight of the LORD, Yahweh, Jehovah.
How wicked was King Ahaz?
*****2Ch 28:3 Moreover he burnt incense in the valley of the son of Hinnom, and burnt his children in the fire, after the abominations of the heathen whom the LORD had cast out before the children of Israel.
2Ch 28:4 He sacrificed also and burnt incense in the high places, and on the hills, and under every green tree.
We should remember that the nation of Israel was to drive out or destroy the nations that occupied the Promised Land because those nations did the things that King Ahaz was doing.
His idolatry is so general that he makes any place he considers suitable for it a place where he can sacrifice to the idols.
King Jotham was far from perfect, but it was his godless son who revolted against God.
Every child has their own responsibility in the choices he makes, and the parents of that child should not be held responsible unless they contributed to those choices that child makes.
We know that God punishes everyone for their own sins.
Deu 24:16 The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, neither shall the children be put to death for the fathers: every man shall be put to death for his own sin.
As parents, we do have the responsibility to raise our children in a godly manner.
Pro_22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
What did God think of these things?
Jer 7:30 For the children of Judah have done evil in my sight, saith the LORD: they have set their abominations in the house which is called by my name, to pollute it.
Jer 7:31 And they have built the high places of Tophet, which is in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to burn their sons and their daughters in the fire; which I commanded them not, neither came it into my heart.
Jer 7:32 Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that it shall no more be called Tophet, nor the valley of the son of Hinnom, but the valley of slaughter: for they shall bury in Tophet, till there be no place.
Jer 7:33 And the carcases of this people shall be meat for the fowls of the heaven, and for the beasts of the earth; and none shall fray them away.
What do we know of the human heart?
Mar 7:20 And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man.
Mar 7:21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,
Mar 7:22 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:
Mar 7:23 All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.
Jer_17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
Tit 1:15 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.
Tit 1:16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.
There is only one way to change what is in our hearts: a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.
Heb 9:14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
1Jn 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
King Ahaz could stop anywhere and worship his gods who traveled with him.
What did God do? God did exactly what He said He would do!
*****2Ch 28:5 Wherefore the LORD his God delivered him into the hand of the king of Syria; and they smote him, and carried away a great multitude of them captives, and brought them to Damascus. And he was also delivered into the hand of the king of Israel, who smote him with a great slaughter.
2Ch 28:6 For Pekah the son of Remaliah slew in Judah an hundred and twenty thousand in one day, which were all valiant men; because they had forsaken the LORD God of their fathers.
Syria and Israel had formed an alliance and then attacked the Southern Kingdom of Judah.
This is known as the Syro-Ephraimite War.
These are the things that happen when you face the judgment of God.
We can say that the God of the Bible was not the God of Ahaz, but we should understand that God will never give up His rights to His land.
The world needs to understand this! God loves Jerusalem!
Why does God judge His people, Israel? Amo 3:1 Hear this word that the LORD hath spoken against you, O children of Israel, against the whole family which I brought up from the land of Egypt, saying,
Amo 3:2 You only have I known of all the families of the earth: therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.
God disciplined King Ahaz by giving him into the power of the King of Syria and the King of the Northern Kingdom of Israel.
A large group of prisoners is taken by the King of Syria and the King of Ephraim, and the Northern Tribes slaughter even more of them.
King Ahaz wanted to be like the kings of the Northern Tribes, and he got a first-hand view of who they were.
They were the enemies of God's people!
When we connect ourselves to wicked people, we will experience wickedness, and wickedness is ugly and can be very brutal!
King Pekah and the Northern Tribes were even more wicked than King Ahaz, but the Lord dwells in Jerusalem, so Judah has the greatest responsibility to remain with the Lord.
When things get out of hand, God will step in.
*****2Ch 28:8 And the children of Israel carried away captive of their brethren two hundred thousand, women, sons, and daughters, and took also away much spoil from them, and brought the spoil to Samaria.
2Ch 28:9 But a prophet of the LORD was there, whose name was Oded: and he went out before the host that came to Samaria, and said unto them, Behold, because the LORD God of your fathers was wroth with Judah, he hath delivered them into your hand, and ye have slain them in a rage that reacheth up unto heaven.
2Ch 28:10 And now ye purpose to keep under the children of Judah and Jerusalem for bondmen and bondwomen unto you: but are there not with you, even with you, sins against the LORD your God?
2Ch 28:11 Now hear me therefore, and deliver the captives again, which ye have taken captive of your brethren: for the fierce wrath of the LORD is upon you.
We see that God will punish even those whom He calls His children if they forsake Him.
God will use severe methods if this is what it takes to get us back in line.
God used King Pekah of the Northern Tribes to inflict severe punishment on Judah, but Pekah went a little too far when he attempted to make his own brothers, Judah, his slaves.
We do not know much about this Oded, but we know that he stood bravely before King Pekah and his victorious army and issued a strong warning to them.
1) King Pekah of Israel was guilty of brutality; he was excessive in his cruelty.
They did not get the victory over Judah because of their military power.
They did not get the victory over Judah because they were better people; in fact, they were worse than Judah.
They did not get the victory over Judah because they were more favored by God.
They did not get the victory over Judah because they were more righteous, and the people of Judah were more wicked.
They got the victory over Judah because the LORD was executing justice upon Judah.
They had slaughtered the army of Judah in a rage that reached into Heaven, and God was not pleased.
They had shown no mercy! If not for God’s mercy, we would all be headed for Hell!
2) They were attempting to enslave these men and women, a serious violation of God's commandments.
Lev 25:39 And if thy brother that dwelleth by thee be waxen poor, and be sold unto thee; thou shalt not compel him to serve as a bondservant:
Lev 25:40 But as an hired servant, and as a sojourner, he shall be with thee, and shall serve thee unto the year of jubile:
Lev 25:41 And then shall he depart from thee, both he and his children with him, and shall return unto his own family, and unto the possession of his fathers shall he return.
Lev 25:42 For they are my servants, which I brought forth out of the land of Egypt: they shall not be sold as bondmen.
Lev 25:43 Thou shalt not rule over him with rigour; but shalt fear thy God.
This was a call for King Pekah and his army to repent or face serious judgment themselves.
3) The Judean slaves must be freed immediately, for God was about to turn His wrath loose on the Northern Kingdom, and only if they released these people of Judah would He show mercy.
We should understand that our merciful, loving God, who is full of compassion, does not play when His wrath is being exposed to reality.
God means what He says, and God says what He means!
It was time for some of the men of Ephraim to come to their senses.
2Ch 28:12 Then certain of the heads of the children of Ephraim, Azariah the son of Johanan, Berechiah the son of Meshillemoth, and Jehizkiah the son of Shallum, and Amasa the son of Hadlai, stood up against them that came from the war,
2Ch 28:13 And said unto them, Ye shall not bring in the captives hither: for whereas we have offended against the LORD already, ye intend to add more to our sins and to our trespass: for our trespass is great, and there is fierce wrath against Israel.
We could say that even though there were wicked kings of Judah, only King Ahaz was as wicked as the Kings of the Northern Tribes.
King Pekah and his army relented, and these two hundred thousand would be slaves were released, and the plunder that was taken from Jerusalem was released.
These princes of Israel made sure that these captives were fed and clothed and then provided for those who were injured.
They made arrangements for their transportation as far as Jericho and provided a military escort to keep them safe.
It is not part of our lesson, but this is one of the times that the Edomites invaded Jerusalem while they were in a weakened state, and another reason the Edomites do not exist today.
The Philistines also took advantage of the weakness of Judah and took over a large part of Judah.
2Ch 28:19 For the LORD brought Judah low because of Ahaz king of Israel; for he made Judah naked, and transgressed sore against the LORD.
It was at this time that King Ahaz sent to the kings of Assyria to come help him, and one of the kings did come, but not to help.
*****2Ch 28:20 And Tilgathpilneser king of Assyria came unto him, and distressed him, but strengthened him not.
2Ch 28:21 For Ahaz took away a portion out of the house of the LORD, and out of the house of the king, and of the princes, and gave it unto the king of Assyria: but he helped him not.
The nation of Judah was in shambles, and the army had been diminished; Judah was helpless to defend itself.
The nation of Judah was under constant attack from neighboring countries.
Judah was suffering because of King Ahaz, but we do not read of King Ahaz ever repenting.
God had humbled Judah because of their sin.
Just because Judah's King was so wicked, it did not mean the people had to be like him, but many were.
We must never think that God does not have a remnant of true believers because He always does.
It is never easy for God's true people!
This Assyrian king had no intention of helping King Ahaz, but just like the others, he took the time to get a part of the riches of Judah.
This king attacked Syria and conquered them, but he did not do this to help Judah.
King Ahaz was forced to pay the King of Assyria a large amount of riches, and it appears that it bankrupted Judah, and Ahaz had to rob the House of God and demand large sums from the princes of Judah.
Judah was a conquered nation militarily and economically, and all these things were brought upon Judah because King Ahaz wanted to be like the Kings of Ephraim.
No human savior would be able to help King Ahaz; he needed the God that he had rejected.
There is no savior other than the LORD!
King Ahaz had rejected the lessons of history and sought salvation in mortal men when only the Eternal Supernatural God could provide him any help.
Sounds like another nation that has been in the news so much since April.
*****2Ch 28:22 And in the time of his distress did he trespass yet more against the LORD: this is that king Ahaz.
2Ch 28:23 For he sacrificed unto the gods of Damascus, which smote him: and he said, Because the gods of the kings of Syria help them, therefore will I sacrifice to them, that they may help me. But they were the ruin of him, and of all Israel.
2Ch 28:24 And Ahaz gathered together the vessels of the house of God, and cut in pieces the vessels of the house of God, and shut up the doors of the house of the LORD, and he made him altars in every corner of Jerusalem.
When the false gods of the Edomites did not help him, Ahaz turned to the false gods of Syria.
False gods cannot help anyone. King Ahaz was at the mercy and the power of the Devil.
Psa 115:2 Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is now their God?
Psa 115:3 But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.
Psa 115:4 Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands.
Psa 115:5 They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not:
Psa 115:6 They have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not:
Psa 115:7 They have hands, but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not: neither speak they through their throat.
Psa 115:8 They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth in them.
Psa 115:9 O Israel, trust thou in the LORD: he is their help and their shield.
King Ahaz was not alone; this is a picture of all people, especially so-called religious people who do not allow themselves to be corrected in any way by the Living God.
They run on the road to destruction just because they reject the only true God and refuse to believe anything He says in His book called the Bible.
Everything that reminds this world of the Living God and our Creator is removed from their lives and their surroundings, and they continue to seek alternative ways of believing.
Everything is good to them, as long as it is not from the God of the Bible.
Sounds just like the USA today.
Sounds just like the evolutionists.
Sounds just like the atheists.
Ahaz was such a person! Ahaz was finished with God, but God was not finished with him!
The God of the Bible is the Lord Jesus Christ!
The world thinks it is finished with Jesus, but it is not!
The world will soon meet Him as King Jesus!
The only good that came out of King Ahaz was King Hezekiah, his son.
King Ahaz lived in the way of the world we have today.
No one wants to hear what God has to say, and King Jesus will soon show up to put this world out of its misery.
Amen
