2 kings chapter 16 reminds me of how many people today want to “do their own thing” with religion. They find the rules set out in God’s Word are too restrictive to their “enlightened” world view. They exchange the wisdom of God for the pursuit of happiness and often end up with neither. After a number of good kings, the nation of Judah was ruled by a man that “Unlike David his father, he did not do what was right in the eyes of the Lord his God“. We read, “Ahaz son of Jotham king of Judah… was twenty years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem sixteen years“. We learn that in his search for happiness he, “even sacrificed his son in the fire, following the detestable ways of the nations the Lord had driven out before the Israelites“. Child sacrifice is condemned by God every time it is mentioned. This is the supreme act of self-centered religion. Let me point out, some people today feel they have committed “the unpardonable sin” and God could never forgive them. 1 John 1:7 includes no exclusions, “the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin“.
Ahaz was not particularly well-liked, yet God did not turn His back on this descendent of David. The king of Aram and the king of Israel joined forces to fight against Jerusalem and besieged Ahaz, “but they could not overpower him“. Once again, we see God’s sovereign hand of protection. The king is blessed not because he “did more right than wrong”, but rather because of the God’s faithfulness. Isaiah 40:8 reminds those of us with short memories, “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever.” True to his character, Ahaz did not pause to give God thanks. Instead he gave what was sacred to the enemy. “Ahaz took the silver and gold found in the temple of the Lord and in the treasuries… and sent it as a gift to the king of Assyria.” He said to king of Assyria, “I am your servant… save me out of the hand of the king of Aram and of the king of Israel, who are attacking me“. This relationship will fail. Every time we look for a human being to fulfill our needs we will eventually be let down.
In his continued search for happiness, “Ahaz went to Damascus to meet king of Assyria. He saw an altar in Damascus and sent to Uriah the priest a sketch… with detailed plans for its construction“. Like his father before him, he could not resist taking on the role of high priest. “He approached it and presented offerings on it“. Symbolically, Ahaz exchanged all of the temple articles that pointed to the holiness of God. Like many today, he believed, if you eliminate a standard, there cannot be any sin. “He removed the Sea from the bronze bulls that supported it and set it on a stone base“. Exodus 30 reminds us this was a place for the priests washed before entering the Tabernacle. The priests understood that Holy God and sinful man cannot dwell together. One purpose of the Law was to show us exactly how far we are from God’s standard of perfection. Are you feeling separated from God? Stop trying to earn God’s favor. God desires a relationship with you, not a religion. Colossians 1:22 says that although you were once alienated form God, if you believe Jesus died for your sins, “He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight”. Trust His promise.