2 Chronicles 28:1-27
Q.1. How far did Ahaz stray from God? How did God display His displeasure with Judah? How did God point out the hypocrisy of Israel? What was their response? – (2 Chr.28:1-15)
Ahaz’s father Jotham had perpetuated an empty religion. Ahaz drifted further away from the Lord than any king of Judah before him – 2 He walked in the ways of the kings of Israel … 3 Moreover, he burned incense in the valley of Ben-hinnom and burned his sons in fire, according to the abominations of the nations whom the Lord had driven out before the sons of Israel (2 Chr.28:2-3). Like abortionists today, Ahaz even sacrificed his sons. He did this by fire. This forced God to bring the nation under judgment, just as He did to the heathen before them. Therefore, God raised up the king of Syria, who took away great numbers of captives to Damascus. He also used the northern tribes of Israel to slaughter one hundred and twenty thousand in a single day – … because they had forsaken the Lord God of their fathers (2 Chr.28:6). Even the son of Ahaz, and chief officers of the realm were slain … and some two hundred thousand women and children were taken captive to Samaria (2 Chr.28:5-8). However, consistent with God’s amazing grace, He offered a sign to the king, through Isaiah the prophet, to deliver Judah. Ahaz refused to ask for one. God gave Ahaz a sign regardless – Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel (Is.7:14 c.f. Is.7:3-16). This was eventually fulfilled in Jesus. God was displeased with Israel, and sent His prophet Oded to argue Judah’s case – 10 Surely, do you not have transgressions of your own against the Lord your God? 11 Now therefore, listen to me and return the captives whom you captured from your brothers, for the burning anger of the Lord is against you.” (2 Chr.28:10-11). The prophet’s message was received with fear and contrition and some of the leading men withstood the returning army. Not only did they set the captives free – … they clothed all their naked ones from the spoil; and they gave them clothes and sandals, fed them, and gave them drink, anointed them with oil, led all their feeble ones on donkeys, and brought them to Jericho, the city of palm trees, to their brothers; then they returned to Samaria (2 Chr.28:15). We see again the power of one devoted servant of God.
Q.2. Did Ahaz understand why Judah was being attacked from every side? How did he further insult God and undermine Judah’s faith? Was he honoured in death? – 2 Chr.28:16-27)
God had judged the nation on account of the unfaithfulness of their king. Ahaz was so unbending, that he turned to Assyria for help, rather than to the God of Israel (2 Chr.28:16-21). He then further insulted God and displayed his stupidity – For he sacrificed to the gods of Damascus which had defeated him, and said, “Because the gods of the kings of Aram helped them, I will sacrifice to them that they may help me.” But they became the downfall of him and all Israel (2 Chr.28:23). When he died – … they did not bring him into the tombs of the kings of Israel (2 Chr.28:27).