2 Kings 16
Read 2 Kings 16
Helpful Background Information:
Ahaz was the 12th king of Judah and reigned for 16 years, from c. 735-719 BC. He is known as one of the most wicked kings of all of Judah, and was so despised that although he was buried with his ancestors, did not earn a place in the tombs with the other kings of Israel.
He sacrificed his own children, desecrated the temple, and practiced idol worship. Ahaz went to Assyria, saw their altar, and wanted to replicate it, so he sent a model of it to Uriah (the priest in Jerusalem) to have it ready by the time he returned. Uriah did this, and then Ahaz commanded that the daily offerings of worship to the Lord take place at the new altar, and he destroyed the original one.
Hezekiah grew up under one of Judah’s worst kings, yet he reversed what his father had done to the temple, purifying it again and consecrating it for worship of the Lord. Although he came from a wicked father, he became one of Judah’s best kings. From this, we can learn that family history may influence you, but it doesn’t have to define you. Trust that God is in control and wants to redeem your story.
Reflection Questions:
What made Hezekiah's reign different from that of his father Ahaz? What were some similarities? Where else have we seen good kings come from evil ones?
Ahaz saw the Assyrian’s altar and wanted what they had, even though they were not God’s chosen people. Where are you tempted to replicate things you see from this world? Are there areas in your life where you have “shut the altar doors” (God’s presence) in your daily life by prioritizing worldly distractions?
Where in your life feels hopeless, in destruction, or too far gone? We have a God who makes beauty from ashes, as we see faithful Hezekiah come from a wicked king Ahaz. Who made Hezekiah’s faith and obedience possible? Who was sovereignly in control of Judah’s faithfulness? Rest in the hope of God who is our Great Redeemer. Pour out your heart before the Lord regarding your circumstances, find peace and hope in him, and seek restoration and redemption!