What does 2 Kings 23:10 reveal about God's view on child sacrifice? Setting the Scene • 2 Kings 23 records King Josiah’s sweeping reforms in Judah. • Verse 10 zeroes in on Topheth in the Valley of Ben Hinnom—an infamous site where children were burned alive to the Ammonite deity Molech. • Josiah “defiled” the place—rendered it unusable—so that “no one could sacrifice his son or daughter in the fire.” (2 Kings 23:10) God’s Verdict on Child Sacrifice • The very act is called “detestable” (Deuteronomy 12:31). • It “profanes the name” of God (Leviticus 18:21). • God never commanded it; it never even “entered [His] mind” (Jeremiah 7:31). • Those who practiced it faced capital punishment (Leviticus 20:2–5). A Consistent Biblical Witness Old Testament confirmations – Leviticus 18:21; 20:2–5 – Deuteronomy 12:31; 18:10 – 2 Kings 17:17; 21:6 – Jeremiah 19:4–5; 32:35 New Testament echoes – Jesus uses the same valley (Gehenna) as a picture of final judgment (Matthew 5:22; Mark 9:43–48), underlining how heinous the original sin was. – Children are singled out for protection and blessing (Matthew 18:10; 19:14), reinforcing the value God places on young lives. Key Truths Drawn from 2 Kings 23:10 1. God defends innocent life. 2. He expects civil rulers to restrain evil practices. 3. Worship that costs human life is satanic, not spiritual. 4. Judgment awaits cultures that devalue their children. Why This Matters Today • The sanctity of life remains non-negotiable. • Any modern practice that ends a child’s life—or treats children as expendable—stands in direct conflict with God’s revealed will. • Believers are called to protect, nurture, and celebrate the lives God creates. Take-Home Reminders • God’s heart beats for children. • Scripture’s stance on child sacrifice is absolute: abolish it, oppose it, eradicate it. • Josiah’s bold action models how believers can confront cultural evils with uncompromising obedience. |
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