2 Chronicles 28 covers a very dark time in the history of Judah. Ahaz reigned over Judah and fully embraced the worship of idols. Much of Ahaz’s foreign policy was consumed with the ever-encroaching Assyria who was on the offensive against the northern ten tribes of Israel. The King of Judah was not the only one fearful of Assyria. Syria and the northern ten tribes of Israel recruited Judah to join forces and resist Assyria. Ahaz refused, which prompted Israel and Syria to invade Judah. Judah suffered extreme losses with many killed and more carried off into captivity. These captives were released at the preaching of the prophet Oded, 2 Chronicles 28:5-15. While Ahaz struggled with Israel and Syria, Philistia pressed Judah from the south and west. They overtook and oppressed a number of cities in Judah, 2 Chronicles 28:18. All this was allowed to happen because the LORD humbled Judah because of Ahaz…for he had brought about a lack of restraint in Judah and was very unfaithful to the Lord, 2 Chronicles 28:19.
A man’s character is revealed in crisis. As Rezin (king of Syria) and Pekah (king of Israel) press against him, Ahaz (king of Judah) turns to Assyria for help. Where should he have turned? We know the answer. Assyria responds by attacking Syria. They killed Rezin, 2 Kings 16:9, and afflicted Israel. But then the plan of Ahaz goes terribly wrong. So Tilgath-pilneser king of Assyria came against him and afflicted him instead of strengthening him, 2 Chronicles 28:20. To appease the Assyrians and get some relief, Ahaz raided the temple and his own house looking for valuables to give to the Assyrian King. All the gifts didn’t help. He closed the temple and erected altars to himself. In desperation, Ahaz ramps up his sacrifices to the gods of Damascus, based on the supposition that they would help him in his distress. The scripture says these idols became the downfall of him and all Israel, 2 Chronicles 28:23. Because of poor leadership, God’s people were headed down a very slippery slope. In fact, they were on an irreversible course, with an inevitable destruction looming in the distance. As the leadership goes, so go the people.
There are many powerful lessons from this Old Testament text. When crisis comes, where does the Christian turn? Draw near to God and He will draw near to you, James 4:8. Isaiah reveals to us another sad fact. Ahaz refused the help and assistance of the Lord. I will not ask, nor will I test the Lord, Isaiah 7:12. God offered. Ahaz refused. One can only imagine how the outcome would have turned had Ahaz humbled his heart, sought God’s help, and made a commitment to faithfully serve God. When we choose a path that leads away from God, we make a tragic mistake. This decision often leads to multiple consequences and could lead to unexpected difficulties that are almost impossible from which to recover. We must refrain from the kind of arrogance that leads us to move on our own without consulting God. Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you, James 4:10.
When the pressure of life bears down on you, to whom do you turn? We serve a God who wants to hear from us, offers to help, and is willing to understand and sympathize with us. Our Mediator, Jesus, asks us to come to Him. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore, let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need, Hebrews 4:15-16. Praise God for the security and stability He provides as we face the turbulent waters of this life.
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