Topical Bible: The Altar of Burnt-Offering: Ahaz Removed and Profaned

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Topical Encyclopedia

The Altar of Burnt-Offering holds significant importance in the religious practices of ancient Israel, serving as the primary site for sacrifices and offerings to Yahweh. This sacred altar, originally constructed according to divine specifications given to Moses (Exodus 27:1-8), was central to the worship and atonement rituals of the Israelites. However, during the reign of King Ahaz of Judah, this altar was removed and profaned, marking a period of spiritual decline and apostasy.

Historical Context

King Ahaz, who reigned over Judah from approximately 732 to 716 BC, is often remembered for his unfaithfulness to the covenantal traditions of his forefathers. His reign is characterized by political instability and religious compromise. The biblical narrative in 2 Kings 16 and 2 Chronicles 28 provides insight into Ahaz's actions concerning the altar.

Removal and Profanation

According to 2 Kings 16:10-16, Ahaz visited Damascus to meet with Tiglath-Pileser III, the king of Assyria. While there, he saw an altar that impressed him greatly. Ahaz sent a model and detailed plans of this altar to Uriah the priest, instructing him to construct a similar altar in Jerusalem. Upon his return, Ahaz offered sacrifices on this new altar, which he placed in the temple, displacing the original bronze altar of burnt offerings.

The Berean Standard Bible recounts this event: "King Ahaz went to Damascus to meet Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria. He saw the altar in Damascus and sent to Uriah the priest a model of the altar and its pattern, exact in all its details" (2 Kings 16:10). This act of replacing the divinely ordained altar with a foreign design symbolized Ahaz's departure from the worship of Yahweh and his inclination towards pagan practices.

Ahaz's actions were not merely architectural changes but represented a deeper spiritual corruption. By adopting the altar from Damascus, Ahaz introduced elements of Assyrian worship into the temple, thus profaning the sacred space dedicated to the God of Israel. This act of syncretism was a direct violation of the commandments given to the Israelites, which prohibited the worship of foreign gods and the adoption of their religious practices (Exodus 20:3-5).

Religious and Theological Implications

The removal and profanation of the altar by Ahaz had profound religious and theological implications for the people of Judah. It signified a breach in the covenant relationship between God and His people, as the altar was central to the sacrificial system that facilitated atonement and communion with God. Ahaz's actions reflected a broader trend of idolatry and unfaithfulness that plagued Judah, ultimately leading to divine judgment and exile.

The prophet Isaiah, who ministered during Ahaz's reign, condemned such practices and called for a return to covenant faithfulness. Isaiah's prophecies emphasized the holiness of God and the need for genuine repentance and worship (Isaiah 1:10-20).

Legacy

The legacy of Ahaz's profanation of the altar serves as a cautionary tale within the biblical narrative. It underscores the importance of adhering to God's commandments and the dangers of compromising with pagan influences. The eventual restoration of proper worship practices under King Hezekiah, Ahaz's son, highlights the possibility of renewal and the enduring mercy of God towards His people when they turn back to Him in repentance.

The account of Ahaz and the altar of burnt offering remains a poignant reminder of the centrality of true worship and the consequences of deviating from the path set by God.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Kings 16:10-16
And king Ahaz went to Damascus to meet Tiglathpileser king of Assyria, and saw an altar that was at Damascus: and king Ahaz sent to Urijah the priest the fashion of the altar, and the pattern of it, according to all the workmanship thereof.
Torrey's Topical Textbook