Topical Bible: Idolatry: Ahaz

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Topical Encyclopedia

Ahaz, the son of Jotham and king of Judah, is a significant biblical figure known for his idolatrous practices, which marked a period of spiritual decline in the southern kingdom. His reign is chronicled in the books of 2 Kings, 2 Chronicles, and Isaiah, where his actions are depicted as a departure from the faithfulness of his forefathers.

Background and Reign

Ahaz ascended to the throne of Judah at the age of twenty and reigned for sixteen years (2 Kings 16:2). Unlike his father Jotham, who did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, Ahaz is described as having walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, engaging in practices that were detestable to the LORD (2 Kings 16:3-4). His reign is characterized by a significant shift towards idolatry, influenced by the surrounding pagan nations.

Idolatrous Practices

Ahaz's idolatry is notably marked by his introduction of foreign religious practices into Judah. He is recorded as having made molten images for the Baals and burned incense in the Valley of Ben Hinnom, even sacrificing his own sons in the fire, following the abominations of the nations whom the LORD had driven out before the Israelites (2 Chronicles 28:2-3). This act of child sacrifice was a direct violation of God's commandments and a grievous sin in the eyes of the LORD.

Furthermore, Ahaz's idolatry extended to the construction of altars on every street corner in Jerusalem and in every town of Judah, where he offered sacrifices to other gods (2 Chronicles 28:24-25). His actions led to the spiritual and moral decline of the nation, drawing the people away from the worship of Yahweh.

Political Alliances and Religious Syncretism

Ahaz's reign was also marked by political turmoil and military threats from neighboring nations, particularly from Israel and Aram. In response, Ahaz sought assistance from Tiglath-Pileser III, the king of Assyria, offering him silver and gold from the temple of the LORD and the royal treasury (2 Kings 16:7-8). This alliance with Assyria further entrenched idolatrous practices in Judah, as Ahaz adopted the Assyrian altar design and made offerings upon it, replacing the bronze altar that stood before the LORD (2 Kings 16:10-16).

The prophet Isaiah confronted Ahaz, urging him to trust in the LORD rather than in foreign alliances (Isaiah 7:4-9). However, Ahaz's lack of faith and reliance on Assyria led to increased idolatry and oppression, as the Assyrians imposed their religious and cultural practices upon Judah.

Legacy and Impact

Ahaz's reign left a lasting impact on Judah, setting a precedent for idolatry that would plague the nation in subsequent generations. His actions are seen as a direct cause of divine judgment, as the LORD allowed Judah to suffer defeat and subjugation at the hands of their enemies (2 Chronicles 28:5-6). Despite his idolatrous legacy, Ahaz's son Hezekiah would later seek to restore the worship of Yahweh and bring about religious reform in Judah.

Ahaz's life serves as a cautionary tale of the dangers of idolatry and the consequences of turning away from the LORD. His reign is a reminder of the importance of faithfulness to God's commandments and the perils of compromising with the surrounding culture.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Chronicles 28:3
Moreover he burnt incense in the valley of the son of Hinnom, and burnt his children in the fire, after the abominations of the heathen whom the LORD had cast out before the children of Israel.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Ahaz
... led into idolatry. It was to these that Isaiah and Micah and their associates looked
in hope as they surveyed the ruin wrought during the last years of Ahaz. ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 27 ahaz.htm

A Godly Reformation
... ecclesiastics in all ages. Probably many of them had been content to serve Ahaz
as priests of his multiform idolatry. At all events, they ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/a godly reformation.htm

Isaiah.
... Conditions of Judah. (The Southern Kingdom). During the reigns of Ahaz, Jotham and
Uzziah, oppression, wickedness and idolatry existed everywhere. ...
/.../gerberding/the way of salvation in the lutheran church/chapter xv isaiah.htm

Sacrifice Renewed
... Ahaz, Hezekiah's father, had wallowed in idolatry, worshipping any and
every god but Jehovah. He had shut up the Temple, defiled ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/sacrifice renewed.htm

The Divided Kingdom.
... in Judah and whose unhappy alliance with Ahab, led his son, who followed him as
king to introduce idolatry into Judah ... 5) The Apostasy under Ahaz, who encouraged ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter xiii the divided kingdom.htm

Hezekiah
... In sharp contrast with the reckless rule of Ahaz was the reformation wrought ... cessation
of all services within its precincts; the flagrant idolatry practiced in ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 28 hezekiah.htm

Costly and Fatal Help
... Ahaz came to the throne when a youth of twenty. ... He did not plunge into idolatry for
want of good advice. The greatest of the prophets stood beside him. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/costly and fatal help.htm

The Woman of Samaria
... Idolatry brought sin, and sin brought bad passions, hatred, division, weakness,
ruin ... On which, Ahaz, king of Judah, not to be behind- hand in folly, sent to the ...
/.../kingsley/town and country sermons/sermon xxvi the woman of.htm

The Kingdom of Samaria.
... Samaria; the worshippers of Baal were massacred, and the land purified from this
idolatry. ... captain Pekah, a great warrior, who made an attack upon Ahaz of Judah ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson viii the kingdom of.htm

From Megiddo to Carchemish, 608-605.
... fasts and festivals.(309) But resenting the failure of their God to grant victory
numbers relapsed into an idolatry as rank as that under Ahaz or Manasseh;(310 ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/jeremiah/1 from megiddo to carchemish.htm