Ahaz ascended the throne of Judah when he was 20 years old. He made shrines, altars, and idols for worshiping the Baals. He consulted mediums and sacrificed his sons in the fire. He replaced the Temple altar with a replica of one he had seen among the gentiles in Damascus. Because of his wickedness the Lord allowed Israel, Aram, Philistia, and Edom to attack his country.
The prophet Isaiah promised Ahaz that God would protect Jerusalem if the people returned to Him. He told Ahaz to ask the Lord for a sign 'whether from Sheol below or from heaven above' as assurance that the Lord was with Judah (Is 7:10). But the king refused to do so saying, "I will not put the Lord to the test" (Is 7:12). Angry because he had tried the patience of God, Isaiah prophesied the desolation of both Judah and its enemies.
Ahaz turned to Assyria for help. He stripped the Temple and the palace of their riches and gave them to the Assyrian king who pressed Judah even harder for tribute. Ahaz then closed the Temple and erected shrines and altars in every town of his kingdom. He began worshiping the gods of his enemies saying, "The gods of the kings of Aram helped them; I shall sacrifice to them so that they may help me" (2 Chron 28: 23). Because of his wickedness, he was refused burial among the kings of Judah.
2 Kings 16; 2 Chron 28; Is 7
All scripture quotes are from the REB Bible unless otherwise indicated.
Comments© 1998 by Suzetta Tucker
To cite this page:
Tucker, Suzetta. "Jesse Tree Advent Calendar - December 20
- Ahaz." ChristStory Christian Bestiary. 1998. http://ww2.netnitco.net/users/legend01/20ahaz.htm
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