2 Chronicles 28-9.19.22

Scripture

2 Chronicles‬ ‭28:22‬ ‭NLT

“Even during this time of trouble, King Ahaz continued to reject the Lord.”

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Observation-What does it say?

King Ahaz was 20 years old when he became king and ruled over Judah. However, Ahaz did not do what was pleasing in the sight of the LORD (vs. 1). He casted metal images to worship Baal. He offered sacrifices, (even sacrificing his own sins in the fire). He followed all the detestable things the surrounding pagan nations did. As a result, God allowed the surrounding nation’s armies to conquer, plunder, and imprison their land. But, even throughout all these hardships, King Ahaz refused to turn to God. Instead, he chose to follow the gods of the armies who defeated him. He thought if their gods helped them defeat him, they would help him too. WRONG!!! Instead it lead to King Ahaz’s ruin and the ruin of Judah.

Understanding-What does it mean?

Don’t let your hardened heart and stubbornness be the ruin of you.

You’ve seen it before. Whether it was from some of the previous kings from this 2nd book of Chronicles, or from the Pharaoh of Egypt in the book of Exodus. What you see is people who have hardened hearts towards God, people who are stubborn, and people who turn to sinfulness. It is because of these things that causes ruin in their homes and their empire. But what could have prevented it you may ask? Well, the first thing is they should learn from history. King Ahaz should have known the stories of the successes and failures of each kingdom before him. He should have seen the common denominator of each successful kingdom (the kings who did what was pleasing to God), and each kingdom which failed (the ones who turned their back on God). Not learning from the previous kingdoms’ mistakes and success was his first mistake. The second mistake, (which proved to be his downfall), was not turning to God and repenting from his sins. God is very patient with each and everyone of us. He is a God that gives us multiple chances. So, I’m sure if King Ahaz would have cried out to God for help and asked for God’s forgiveness, he could have spared his people and even maybe himself in the process. But, instead he chose to dig himself into a deeper hole with God. He chose to worship the gods of the ones who defeated him and held his people captive. He chose to arouse God’s anger upon him, which ultimately left Ahaz in a hole he did not get out of…his grave.

“For God says, “I will break the strength of the wicked, but I will increase the power of the godly.””-Psalms‬ ‭75:10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Life Application

Repent, turn to God, and ask for God’s forgiveness before it’s too late.

King Ahaz didn’t learn from other kings’ mistakes. Maybe he thought he was above it and that it wouldn’t happen to him. But, as the Bible tells us, “Pride comes before the destruction.”-(Proverbs 16:18a). So, never think it can’t happen to us. But, if we do catch ourselves in sin, repent, turn to God, and ask for forgiveness. Do it now before it’s too late!

“But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.”‭‭ -1 John‬ ‭1:9

-Moses Gaddi