Topical Encyclopedia The sacrilege of Ahaz refers to the actions and religious reforms undertaken by King Ahaz of Judah, which are detailed in the biblical accounts of 2 Kings 16 and 2 Chronicles 28. Ahaz, the son of Jotham, reigned over Judah from approximately 732 to 716 BC. His reign is marked by significant deviations from the religious practices established by his forefathers, leading to widespread idolatry and apostasy in the kingdom of Judah.Idolatry and Pagan Practices Ahaz is noted for his introduction of foreign religious practices into Judah, which were in direct violation of the covenantal laws given to Israel. The Berean Standard Bible in 2 Kings 16:3 states, "Instead, he walked in the way of the kings of Israel and even sacrificed his son in the fire, according to the abominations of the nations that the LORD had driven out before the Israelites." This verse highlights Ahaz's adoption of the detestable practices of the surrounding nations, including child sacrifice, which was strictly forbidden in the Mosaic Law (Leviticus 18:21). Alteration of Temple Worship One of the most egregious acts of sacrilege committed by Ahaz was his alteration of the temple worship in Jerusalem. During a visit to Damascus, Ahaz encountered an altar that impressed him, and he sent a model of it to Uriah the priest with instructions to construct a similar altar in the temple (2 Kings 16:10-11). This act of replacing the divinely ordained altar with a foreign design was a direct affront to the sanctity of the temple and the worship of Yahweh. Furthermore, Ahaz made additional changes to the temple's furnishings and structure, as recorded in 2 Kings 16:17-18 : "King Ahaz cut off the frames of the stands and removed the basins from them. He took down the Sea from the bronze oxen that were under it and put it on a stone base. And he removed the Sabbath canopy they had built in the temple and closed the royal entryway outside the temple of the LORD, in deference to the king of Assyria." These modifications were likely made to curry favor with the Assyrian king, reflecting Ahaz's political subservience and spiritual compromise. Consequences and Legacy The sacrilege of Ahaz had profound consequences for the spiritual state of Judah. His actions led to a period of moral and religious decline, setting a precedent for future kings who would also struggle with idolatry. The chronicler in 2 Chronicles 28:19 notes, "For the LORD humbled Judah because of Ahaz king of Israel, for he had promoted wickedness in Judah and had been most unfaithful to the LORD." Ahaz's reign is often contrasted with that of his son Hezekiah, who undertook significant religious reforms to restore proper worship in Judah. The sacrilege of Ahaz serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of abandoning divine commandments in favor of cultural assimilation and political expediency. Nave's Topical Index 2 Chronicles 28:24And Ahaz gathered together the vessels of the house of God, and cut in pieces the vessels of the house of God, and shut up the doors of the house of the LORD, and he made him altars in every corner of Jerusalem. Nave's Topical Index Library Questions. Letter Lvii. To Pammachius on the Best Method of Translating. Scriptures Showing the Sin and Danger of Joining with Wicked and ... Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ... The Iranian Conquest Of Faith. The Definition of It. Its Peculiar Properties. The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire Resources What is sacrilege? What does it mean to be sacrilegious? | GotQuestions.orgWho was King Ahaz in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org What were the mystery religions? | GotQuestions.org Sacrilege: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
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