Learning from King Ahaz's mistakes

Though many of the kings of Judah did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, Ahaz did not. It is surprising what parallels we can find in his infidelity towards God and in our own tendencies to follow the ways of the world and our flesh. While Ahaz’s father enjoyed prosperity and power because he followed God, by the end of Ahaz’s life he had led his country to ruin. We read about Ahaz in 2 Kings 16 and 2 Chronicles 28. Here are Ahaz’s steps which led to destruction;

1. He followed the practices of the countries which had originally been driven out of the Promised land, sacrificing his sons to idols

2. He sought friendship with his enemies so that they would help him in battle. Yet they caused him trouble.

3. He changed the worship of God by making his own altar and setting up altars in the streets. Service to God no longer required consecration, and religion became a thing where men could be worldly and unfaithful to God.

4. He brought the bronze altar from the temple to sit next to his own altar, but used it only for seeking God’s guidance. People could live an unholy life yet seek God for their benefit.

5. Ahaz stripped the altar of the Lord of its meaningful symbols, and also shut the doors of the temple, discontinuing the lamps and the burning of incense. True worship of God was stopped and the Spirit of the Lord blocked from the lives of men.

6. Ahaz sought help from the idols of those who had defeated him because he thought they were the source of power, and not God. He was unable to see God’s chastening hand in his life, and so Ahaz could not gain wisdom nor understanding after his defeat.

Though Ahaz brought calamity upon himself and his country, his own son Hezekiah brought reform, and revival. We read about Hezekiah’s reform, beginning in 2 Chronicles 29 and 30. Here are his steps of success;

1. He had the priests consecrate themselves. This restored the precept of being set apart from the world, or holy. Those who serve the Lord were to be dedicated to His ways, and separate from the ways of the world.

2. The temple was cleansed of all defilement and restored to its original service. Returning to the original purposes of religion re-established God’s nature and purposes in their lives.

3. Hezekiah made a covenant with the Lord, so that God would turn away His anger. He acknowledged that it was the Lord who brought kingdoms down and it was the Lord who made them to prosper.

4. He encouraged the priests, telling them that God had chosen them to “stand before Him and serve Him, to minister before Him and to burn incense.” (2 Chron 29:11) This re-established the God-given roles of the priesthood, a reversal of Ahaz’s independence and rebellion (2 Kings 16:11-13).

5. Hezekiah gathered the city officials and had sin offerings done in the temple. Those responsible for leading and protecting the people were the first to repent. After the sanctification of the temple and the leaders, service at the temple was restored to all the people.

6. Hezekiah invited all Judah and Israel to forsake their idols, and to attend Passover at the temple. A movement of unity begins amongst the two kingdoms which once were brothers.

7. Hezekiah prayed “May the Lord, who is good, pardon everyone who sets his heart on seeking God . . . even if he is not clean according to the rules of the sanctuary.” (2 Chron 30:19). This caused healing of all the people who newly dedicated their hearts to the Lord, even though they had not had time to consecrate themselves. The priests also blessed the people, and their prayers were heard, for their prayers reached to heaven (vs 27).

Though we may occasionally find ourselves repeating the mistakes of Ahaz, yet God is gracious and able to restore us. Let us dedicate ourselves daily to God and separate ourselves from the ways of the world and the flesh. Amen.