daily bible readings

The Chronicler is very blunt and upfront about the kings he reports on. There is neither suspense drama nor leaving to chance how the particular king is to be viewed. Ahaz is described, as such, in no uncertain terms. “Ahaz was twenty years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem sixteen years. Unlike David his father, he did not do what was right in the eyes of the Lord. 2 He walked in the ways of the kings of Israel and also made cast idols for worshiping the Baals.” 2 Chronicles 28:1–2.

While both Uzziah and Jotham seem to be described in positive terms as good kings with some bad around them, Ahaz is simply pictured as a mixed bag of sinfulness, unfaithfulness and rejection of God. “He walked in the ways of the kings of Israel and also made cast idols for worshiping the Baals. 3 He burned sacrifices in the Valley of Ben Hinnom and sacrificed his sons in the fire, following the detestable ways of the nations the Lord had driven out before the Israelites. 4 He offered sacrifices and burned incense at the high places, on the hilltops and under every spreading tree.” 2 Chronicles 28:3-4.

Again, it may be hard for us to visualise the magnitude of Ahaz’s sinfulness. Not being content to bow down and worship the one true living God, Ahaz made statues and idols to bow down to. These lifeless images were worshipped as only God is to be worshipped. They were offered sacrifices and it was believed that such images made of wood and stone could somehow deliver and save the nation and bring prosperity.

Even worse, Ahaz sacrificed his sons in the fire. He offered his living children as a sacrifice to these false gods by burning them alive in the fire that was probably lit in a crevice in the statue or beside the statue. He willingly slaughtered his own sons, thinking that such a sacrifice would appease the gods and bring him prosperity and victory. He chose to follow the detestable practices of the nations around him. These are the nations that the Lord God had driven out from the Promised Land as He brought His people into His place to live under His rule.

While the sins of Ahaz may seem horrific as we think more deeply about them, let us not forget that at the time of writing these studies, some states in Australia are considering a change to their abortion laws. There are moves afoot to allow abortion up to full term and even to birth for any and every reason. Like Ahab, the states are considering the legalisation of the murder of babies. Even worse, the number of abortions in Australia is currently higher than it ever was in Ancient Israel. While Ahaz sought to appease the gods of the nations around him, our nation seems to be seeking to appease the gods of comfort, of financial security, of easy living and of fun and happiness.

Ahaz’s reign is presented in overtly negative tones. He is not compared to his father Jotham but to his predecessor King David. King David was a man after God’s own heart. Ahaz is portrayed as a man after his own heart.

Prayer: 

Adoration:

• Adore the Lord God Almighty that He does not and will not allow sin to reign forever. He will deal with sin and sinful people when the time is right.
• Adore God that His holiness demands retribution for sins and justice for those who flout His Word.

Confession:

• Take time to confess your sins to the Lord and to ask for His forgiveness.

Thanks:

• Thank God for the work of Jesus at Calvary in allowing forgiveness to be spread to the nations.
• Thank God that everyone who calls on the name of Jesus will not be condemned but will be graciously given eternal life.

Supplication:

• Pray that your church’s MOPS ministry would bring support and blessing to many mothers and in turn, to entire families. Pray that the love of Jesus would be shared in word and deed through this MOPS ministry and that the church would grow.
• Pray that the Kitchen Ministry would continue to support and reach many needy people. Pray that these guests we see would know the love and compassion of Jesus and that they would seek Him for their salvation.

Discussion Questions

1. What sins did Ahaz commit according to vv1-4?
2. Why is the sin of idolatry so negatively portrayed in the Old and New Testament?
3. What is the Chronicler’s purpose in portraying this king so negatively?

Small Groups

Read 2 Chronicles 27-28.

Scripture

Sing songs of adoration and praise.

As you read through the account of Jotham in chapter 27, what good things or positive actions do you find?

What negative actions or comments are made? Why are these put into the narrative?

As you read through chapter 28, what negatives do you find regarding Ahaz? Why are these put into the text?

What positives do you find in this chapter?

Observation

What is the Chronicler doing in presenting a positive king and a negative king back to back?

Why does the writer spend more time on the negatives than on the positives?

What do these chapters teach you about God?

What do they teach you about faith?

Application

What lessons do you learn from the reign of Jotham?

What lessons do you learn from the reign of Ahaz?

In what way do these chapters lead us to Christ Jesus?

Going Deeper

Explain the concept of covenantal blessings and curses as outlined in Deuteronomy 28ff.

How does this relate to the kings of God’s people?

How does the concept of covenantal blessings relate to individuals?

How does this concept relate to Christians today?

Prayer

Spend time as a Small Group in

Adoration:

Confession:

Thanks:

Supplication:

(Use the blank space to write down prayer points so you can pray through the rest of the week)

Pastor’s Comments

Idolatry, strictly speaking is to treat something other than God as a god. Idolatry is primarily a sin of the heart where we worship someone or something as a god and thus usurp the position that God alone deserves.

But, many, probably most, Christians today would cringe at the thought of praying to and bowing down to an idol or statue. Very few Christians would commit such blatant idolatry.

But, there are many actions present in Christian circles that border on idolatry and should be eliminated as quickly as possible. A few examples will suffice. Some Christians read their daily horoscopes thinking that the stars and planets can somehow control their future. God is grieved as we turn to the heavenly mediums to seek guidance rather than to Him.

Other Christians have been known to wear a gold/silver cross or other Christian item much like a good luck charm. Some Christians erroneously believe that the wearing of such a good luck charm protects them and guides them. Again, God is grieved at such notions and beliefs.

At other times, we can be seen to put more emphasis and commitment into our things (e.g. our car, our house, our bank balance and so on) than into God and God’s people. We can over-commit to work and other areas while leaving God in the wilderness. Such a over-commitment to things and an under-commitment to God, borders on idolatry because we believe that the things we commit to are more important and more necessary for our survival than God is.

God has filled us with His Spirit and has given us everything we need for life and godliness. We can live a life of worship and adoration to Him. We are empowered  to live a life that honours Him and glorifies Him in every way. We are empowered to use our things for His honour and not to treat them as gods or good luck charms.