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JUDAH SUFFERS UNDER AN APOSTATE KING AND PRIEST.

2 Kings 16:1-20

Q.1. What did Ahaz do to turn against the ways of the Lord? How does this story warn us against cultivating wrong relationships? – (2 Kgs.16:1-10)

Most of the kings of Judah had been God-fearing, although many had tolerated the worship of other gods on the high places – (2 Kgs.12:3; 14:4; 15:4). Ahaz was very religious, and demeaned God by worshiping every conceivable god – 3 He walked in the way of the kings of Israel, and even made his son pass through the fire, according to the abominations of the nations whom the Lord had driven out from before the sons of Israel. 4 He sacrificed and burned incense on the high places and on the hills and under every green tree (2 Kgs.16:3-4). He himself participated in all the evil practices associated with idolatry, even to the point of maiming and killing his own children. He also distorted the worship at Jerusalem, by changing the sacred objects in the temple worship. His great sin was to embrace the sins for which God had dispossessed the Canaanites (2 Kgs.16:10). To be religious is not enough. We need to love and worship the One True God and be in relationship with Him.

Q.2. What evil did Urijah, the priest introduce to God’s people? What would have happened if Urijah had defied his king? How does acknowledging the rightful King protect you against displeasing God? – (2 Kgs.16:10-18)

Urijah was the Chief Priest anointed to serve the Temple worship at Jerusalem. The priesthood had specific instructions on how to make atonement for the people in the Temple at Jerusalem. However, Urijah departed from the true worship at the command of King Ahaz. He built a foreign altar, and along with the king, changed the order of the sacred objects. He then made sacrifices at this foreign altar and used it for the daily offerings (2 Kgs.16:11-16). They even redesigned and removed the objects approved by God – because of the king of Assyria (2 Kgs.16:18). Urijah departed from His God-directed role as priest – So Urijah the priest did according to all that King Ahaz commanded (2 Kgs.16:16). Urijah protected his own safety but led the nation astray because he did not acknowledge and obey the Lord as the One True King (2 Kgs.16:7-10 c.f. 2 Chron.24:20-21).