Godward Thoughts

AHAZ
The spiritual leadership that began with Uzziah and continued with Jotham disappeared with Ahaz. We wonder why the godly examples of his father and grandfather did Ahaz no good. Historians tell us that Ahaz was coregent with his father for four years, which means he started when he was sixteen. Did Ahaz become proud? Did he listen to wrong counsel?

The Ammonite god Molech was worshiped in the Valley of the Son of Hinnom. The king even put his children on the heathen altar. When a father is disobedient to God, often the children suffer most. King Josiah defiled the place (2 Kings 23:10) and made it a garbage dump. The word gehenna came to refer to the place of eternal judgment, hell.

Judah experienced a humiliating defeat from Israel, but God mercifully overruled and rescued the people. It was a prophet, not a king or general, who saved the day.

Instead of repenting and returning to the God of his father and grandfather, Ahaz adopted the gods of the victorious enemy. It seemed logical to him because the enemy was winning! Instead of going by the Word of God, he took the pragmatic approach (Proverbs 3:5–6). Have you ever done that? It is dangerous!

HEZEKIAH
When Hezekiah became king, the situation at the temple was not unlike the condition of some churches today (2 Chronicles 29:7). Closed doors speak of no access to God and no service for God. He has set before us an open door (Revelation 3:8), and we close it.

The lamps were out, which indicates no witness (Matthew 5:16), and the incense altar was cold, which signifies that no prayer was going up to God (Psalm 141:2). There were no sacrifices on the altar (Romans 12:1–2), but there was plenty of rubbish in the temple. No wonder the nation was experiencing the wrath of God instead of the blessing of God.

Hezekiah’s formula for revival was simple: sanctification, sacrifice, and song. He started with the priests and Levites, for if God’s servants are not clean, God cannot bless their work. Then the priests sanctified the temple, offered the sacrifices, and sang the song of the Lord.

It all happened suddenly (2 Chronicles 29:36), but what happened was not new or novel. It was simply a return to the ways of the Lord (Jeremiah 6:16).

When God’s Spirit is at work, Jesus Christ will be glorified, and God’s people will be unified. Hezekiah called the whole nation back to the celebration of the Passover, the feast that depicts Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, and many participated with oneness of heart (2 Chronicles 30:12). What an occasion of blessing it was!

How tragic that the spiritual leaders were to blame for delaying the event (2 Chronicles 30: 3). How tragic that some of the people laughed at the invitation (2 Chronicles 30:10; Matthew 22:1–14). But how wonderful that God blessed abundantly, healed the people and sent them home rejoicing (2 Chronicles 30: 21, 23, 25, 26). The people who turned down the invitation missed a special opportunity.

God looks at the heart and does not permit ceremonial matters to get in the way of His grace (1 Samuel 15:22; Psalm 50:7–15; 51:16–17; Hosea 6:6). Hezekiah saw to it that the people were taught the Word (2 Chronicles 30: 22) because the Word nourishes the heart and cleanses the life, long after the memories of great events have faded away. The people experienced great joy as a result of sharing in the Passover feast (2 Chronicles 30:26). The Jews would have great joy at the dedication of the walls of Jerusalem (Nehemiah 12:43). Other people who experienced great joy from the Lord are the wise men (Matthew 2:10), the apostles (Luke 24:52), and the new believers in Samaria (Acts 8:8). The message of the gospel is good news of great joy (Luke 2:10). Are you sharing it with others?