daily bible readings

King Ahaz stood at a critical time in the history of God’s people, both the northern and southern tribes of what was once a united Israel. It was during this reign of Ahaz that the Isaiah prophecy of Emmanuel in Isaiah 7:14 was given. It was also the time during which the northern tribes fell to the emerging Assyrian empire.  Any hopes that Judah might be revived and learn from the fall of her norther sister are dashed into a million pieces by the reign of Ahaz.

The Chronicler does not hold back on the sinfulness of King Ahaz. The uniqueness of the phrase “did not do what was right in the eyes of the Lord” highlight his sinfulness. Only in regard to Ahaz is this phrase used. It occurs in 2 Kings 16 and here in chapter 28 in regard to the evil king.

Even worse, the Chronicler reveals in no uncertain terms that Ahaz “walked in the ways of the kings of Israel” (v2). The original readers would have clearly understood. Israel was exiled by the Assyrians for their sinfulness and Ahaz sought to imitate them. To illustrate, the Chronicler reproduced several “examples of Ahaz’s apostasy. He offered sacrifices (or burned incense) in the Valley of Ben Hinnom, the deep valley, immediately to the south of the temple hill, where fires burned the city refuse. He also sacrificed his sons in the fire. The ritual of child sacrifice is elsewhere associated with the Ben Hinnom Valley (33:6; Jer 7:31–32; cf. Lev 20:1–5; 2 Kgs 3:26–27; 23:10; Mic 6:7; Ezek 16:20–21). Even worse than imitating the apostasy of the Northern Kingdom, Ahaz is condemned for behaving as the cursed Canaanites, whose culture was so vile that God had ordered its elimination (Lev 18:28; 20:23; Deut 7:22–26; 12:2–4; 18:9–14). Little wonder that Yahweh visited Ahaz with judgment in the form of an Aramean attack.” (copied from J.A Thompsons 1 and 2 Chronicles NAC commentary).

The Chronicler seems to be building up his blast against evil king Ahaz. He goes onto show the full force of the Lord’s anger against this evil king. “Therefore the Lord his God handed him over to the king of Aram. The Arameans defeated him and took many of his people as prisoners and brought them to Damascus. He was also given into the hands of the king of Israel, who inflicted heavy casualties on him. 6 In one day Pekah son of Remaliah killed a hundred and twenty thousand soldiers in Judah—because Judah had forsaken the Lord, the God of their fathers. 7 Zicri, an Ephraimite warrior, killed Maaseiah the king’s son, Azrikam the officer in charge of the palace, and Elkanah, second to the king. 8 The Israelites took captive from their kinsmen two hundred thousand wives, sons and daughters. They also took a great deal of plunder, which they carried back to Samaria.” 2 Chronicles 28:5–8.

Even though there are difficulties in aligning this Syri-Ephraimite war with the account given in other parts of the Bible (2 Kgs 15:37; 16:5; Isa 7; Hos 5:8–6:6), the sense is very clear. The word “therefore” makes it exceedingly clear that the defeat by the enemy and by Israel is a direct result of the sinfulness of Ahaz. The Chronicler spells it out again in verse 6. Defeat happened “because Judah had forsaken the Lord, the God of their fathers.”

It is very clear as we survey the history of the kings of God’s people throughout 2 Chronicles that sin has consequences, pride has consequences and idolatry has consequences. As we see the consequences, we are drawn towards obedience and motivated to walk in holiness and covenantal fidelity. 

Prayer:

Adoration:

• Adore God that in His holiness and righteousness, He does not leave sin unpunished or the guilty without justice.
• Adore God that He gives people a chance to repent and to turn from their evil ways before He judges them.

 Confession:

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

Thanks:

• Thank God that your sins have been dealt with by Jesus’ work at Calvary and that judgement has fallen upon Him rather than upon you.
• Thank the Lord your Saviour that you have opportunity and means to invite others in to the kingdom through sharing the gospel with them and by calling them to repentance and faith.

Supplication:

• Pray for opportunities to share the gospel with the people in your world.
• Pray that these people would repent and believe in Jesus for salvation as the Holy Spirit regenerates their heart.

Discussion Questions

1. What do you learn about King Ahaz in today’s verses?
2. How does Isaiah 7:1-14 add to the picture?
3. What lessons do you learn from the reign and life of Ahaz?