What other Scriptures condemn practices like those in 2 Kings 23:10? Setting the Scene in 2 Kings 23:10 Josiah “defiled Topheth in the Valley of Ben-Hinnom, so that no one could make his son or daughter pass through the fire for Molech.” The text condemns two intertwined sins: child sacrifice and idolatry. Scripture is remarkably consistent in denouncing both. Scripture Passages that Explicitly Prohibit Child Sacrifice • Leviticus 18:21—“You must not give any of your children to be sacrificed to Molech; do not profane the name of your God. I am the LORD.” • Leviticus 20:2-3—“Any Israelite or foreigner residing in Israel who gives any of his children to Molech must surely be put to death… because he has given his children to Molech, defiling My sanctuary and profaning My holy name.” • Deuteronomy 12:31—“They even burn their sons and daughters in the fire as sacrifices to their gods.” • Deuteronomy 18:10—“Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire…” Prophetic Rebukes Against the Practice • 2 Kings 17:17—“They sacrificed their sons and daughters in the fire… so the LORD was very angry with Israel.” • 2 Chronicles 28:3—Ahaz “burned sacrifices in the Valley of Ben-Hinnom and sacrificed his sons in the fire.” • 2 Chronicles 33:6—Manasseh “sacrificed his sons in the fire.” • Jeremiah 7:31—“They have built the high places of Topheth… to burn their sons and daughters in the fire—a thing I did not command, nor did it even enter My mind.” • Jeremiah 19:4-5—“They have filled this place with the blood of innocents… they burn their sons in the fire as burnt offerings to Baal.” • Ezekiel 16:20-21—“You slaughtered My children and offered them up to idols.” • Ezekiel 20:31—“When you offer your gifts, sacrificing your children in the fire, you continue to defile yourselves.” • Psalm 106:37-38—“They sacrificed their sons and their daughters to demons… the land was polluted with blood.” • Isaiah 57:5—“You… sacrifice your children in the ravines, under the clefts of the rocks.” Historical Illustrations That It Happened Anyway • King Ahaz (2 Chronicles 28:3) and King Manasseh (2 Chronicles 33:6) both led Judah into the sin. • The northern kingdom (2 Kings 17:17) persisted until exile. • Pagan nations such as the Ammonites (cf. 1 Kings 11:7; Amos 1:13) practiced it, illustrating the spiritual danger of adopting their ways. New Testament Echoes • Acts 7:43 recalls Israel’s earlier idolatry with Molech. • 1 Corinthians 10:20—“The sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons and not to God.” • Revelation 21:8 places “idolaters” among those facing final judgment. The moral stance never loosens. The Heart of God Behind the Command • Protection of innocent life—“Do not shed innocent blood” (Deuteronomy 19:10). • Exclusive worship—“You shall have no other gods before Me” (Exodus 20:3). • Holiness—“You are to be holy to Me, for I, the LORD, am holy” (Leviticus 20:26). • God’s ownership of children—“All souls are Mine” (Ezekiel 18:4). Takeaway for Today God’s word flatly rejects any form of violence against children and any allegiance to false gods. Idolatry and the destruction of innocent life still grieve Him. His consistent standard calls believers to honor Him alone, protect the vulnerable, and keep hearts free from every modern equivalent of Molech—anything that demands what rightly belongs to God. |
    |