Today’s Reading: 2 Chronicles 28, 2 Kings 16-17

Ahaz was twenty years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem sixteen years. He did not do what was pleasing in the sight of the Lord, as his ancestor David had done. Instead, he followed the example of the kings of Israel. He cast metal images for the worship of Baal. He offered sacrifices in the valley of Ben-Hinnom, even sacrificing his own sons in the fire. — 2 Chronicles 28:1-3a

Jotham was careful to live in obedience to the Lord his God, but his son did not follow the example he had set for him. Ahaz was so wicked that he was even willing to have his own sons thrown into the fire as a sacrifice to Baal. The Lord had finally had enough, and he gave the people of Judah over to their enemies.

THE BEGINNING OF THE END

As we read on, we can sense the coming fall of Jerusalem. Because His people had once again turned away from Him, God allowed Judah’s enemies to start chipping away at the strength of what had once been a great nation. The king of Aram defeated Ahaz and carried a large number of Jews away, exiling them to Damascus. The army of Israel defeated Ahaz, killing 120,000 Jewish warriors and carrying away over 200,000 women and children, along with all the valuable items they had plundered. But because they did not want to bring the wrath of God on themselves, the nation of Israel released the people of Judah, escorting them safely back to Samaria.

The Lord was humbling Judah because of King Ahaz of Judah, for he had encouraged his people to sin and had been utterly unfaithful to the Lord. — 2 Chronicles 28:19

Ahaz had the opportunity to repent and turn to the Lord. He was losing the battle and the nation of Judah was weakening. The Edomites attacked and took captives; the Philistines captured whole villages. But instead of turning to God for help, King Ahaz turned to the king of Assyria.

Even during this time of trouble, King Ahaz continued to reject the Lord. He offered sacrifices to the gods of Damascus who had defeated him, for he said, “Since these gods helped the kings of Aram, they will help me, too, if I sacrifice to them.” But instead, they led to his ruin and the ruin of all Judah. – 2 Chronicles 28:22-23

If Ahaz would have humbled himself, bringing the people of Judah back to the throne of God in repentance, maybe the Lord would have blessed the rest of his reign as king. But Ahaz had a hard heart and Judah’s enemies continued to chip away at what had once been a great nation.

Hoshea, king of Israel, also rejected the Lord. In the same way, God allowed the enemy nations to overtake the Israelite nation he had so consistently blessed generation after generation. For three years, the Assyrians invaded the land until Samaria eventually fell and the people of Israel were exiled to Assyria.

This disaster came upon the people of Israel because they worshiped other gods. They sinned against the Lord their God, who had brought them safely out of Egypt and had rescued them from the power of Pharaoh, the king of Egypt…Again and again the Lord had sent his prophets and seers to warn both Israel and Judah…But the Israelites would not listen. They were as stubborn as their ancestors who had refused to believe in the Lord their God. They rejected his decrees and the covenant he had made with their ancestors, and they despised all his warnings. They worship worthless idols, so they became worthless themselves. — 2 Kings 17:7-15

THE DEPRECIATION OF A NATION

Because of their idolatry and rejection of God’s covenant, the Lord swept them away from his presence. He punished them by handing them over to their enemies, banishing Israel from the presence of the Lord. So Israel was exiled from the Promised Land to the land of Assyria (17:23). God had made it clear generation after generation that He expected their loyalty and faithfulness, so they had brought this punishment on themselves.

“Do not worship any other gods or bow before them or serve them or offer sacrifices to them…Do not forget the covenant I made with you, and do not worship other gods. You must worship only the Lord your God. He is the one who will rescue you from all your enemies.” – 2 Kings 17:35b-39

It would be hard to miss the similarities between God’s people in the Old Testament and the United States of America today. This nation was built on the motto “In God We Trust” yet is now entertained by sexual perversions and addicted to physical pleasures. Even the Church stands divided on the issues of abortion and human sexuality, as our nation sacrifices its children in order to cave to our own arrogant notion of personal rights. God help us, for we are a sinful nation undeserving of your salvation.

Lord, would you reveal any sin in my own heart. Take away my desires for the things of this world so that my heart will forever remain loyal to you. Thank you for the ways in which you have blessed my life — for your provision and your protection. Continue to work in my life so that I only desire to obey you and serve you wholeheartedly. I long to dwell in your presence and worship you — the God who has brought me out of my Egypt with great strength and a powerful arm. Today, I choose to worship you and only you! Amen.