Journal Through the Bible: Week 96 Friday

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II Chronicles chapter 28

It is always abominable to read of the children sacrificed in the fire to the idol, Baal. It is abhorrent to read that a descendant of David, and a ruler in Judah, took part in this practice. Evidently Ahaz sacrificed more than one of his children in that manner. His abomination caused God to bring Syria, Israel, Edom, Assyria, and the Philistines against Judah. And just when it seemed that Ahaz couldn't get any worse he took the gods of Syria to be his gods. He made altars to them on every street corner in the capital city of Jerusalem.

Does God issue any commands?

• God had commanded the Children of Israel not to sacrifice their children to idols. He said through Solomon that children are His heritage and they belong to Him. (See Psalm 127.) Ahaz was a wicked king who disregarded this command.
• Through the prophet Oded, God commanded the people of Israel to free the people of Judah that they had enslaved in battle.(This had also been forbidden in Leviticus.)

Does God make any promises?

• God had promised that He would let Judah be defeated by her enemies if she did not follow His commands. God punished Ahaz by delivering the country to Syria and Israel. (Remember that each king was supposed to write out a copy of God's law for his own use. Evidently Ahaz did not do so. That, or he copied the law and blatantly disregarded it. Disgusting either way.) 

Does this chapter teach anything about Jesus?

• In spite of everything, God preserved a Godly son for the Davidic line when Hezekiah followed the rule of his evil father, Ahaz. In spite of everything we have done, God has preserved a Godly son for the Davidic line in Jesus who will follow the evil rule of the prince of this world.

Does this chapter teach anything about yet-future events?

• In this chapter Jerusalem was the site of false worship on every corner. The coming Jerusalem will be the center of true worship one day when the saints will worship their God everywhere and at all times.