2 Kings 16:1 In the seventeenth year of Pekah son of Remaliah, Ahaz son of Jotham king of Judah began to reign.
Ahaz is the first king of Judah who “did not do what was right in the eyes of the LORD his God.” Many, many kings didn’t knock down the high places but generally tried to do right by God. Not Ahaz. He was definitely the most evil king of Judah in this history thus far, and he rivals many of the Israelite kings in his departure from God.
2 Kings 16:2 Ahaz was twenty years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem sixteen years. Unlike David his father, he did not do what was right in the eyes of the LORD his God.
As I ponder the lessons I can learn from this chapter, the danger of compromise strikes me. Even the many godly kings did not knock down the high places, a huge moral compromise. I would imagine that the people gradually viewed sacrificing in the high places acceptable. Maybe they thought, “The king is allowing it, so what’s the harm?” But in this world such compromise is a slippery slope.
2 Kings 16:3 He followed the ways of the kings of Israel and even sacrificed his son in the fire, engaging in the detestable practices of the nations the LORD had driven out before the Israelites.
Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for opening my eyes to the slippery slope of moral compromise. Help me to keep my eyes on You always, to submit every fear, every worry to You. Draw me closer. Amen.
2 Kings 16:4 He offered sacrifices and burned incense at the high places, on the hilltops and under every spreading tree.
Have a blessed day.
My faith, my life, my teaching–it's all a work in progress.