Day 196 – 2 Chronicles 28, 2 Kings 16-17

Talking Points

• Ahaz becomes king in Judah, Hoshea in Israel. Both kings do evil in the sight of the LORD, and both kings continue to lead their nations to sin.
• The Bible says King Ahaz was “very unfaithful to the LORD” (2 Chronicles 28:19). Then, he is described as “yet more unfaithful to the LORD” (28:22). Unfaithful is from a word that translates, “treacherous, false, not loyal.” Ahaz forsakes God.
• In one of his more despicable acts, King Ahaz sees an altar as he visits the king of Assyria, and then has his priest copy the altar. He removes the bronze altar in the house of God, and replaces it with this pagan replica. On his false altar, he has the blood of the peace offering sprinkled. He takes an offering meant for God, prescribed by God, and dedicates it to a false god on a false altar.
• The sins of both Israel and Judah are listed in sad detail. They have followed the pagan customs of the people God had previously driven out. They worshiped the false gods of the neighboring countries, seeking their help and placing their trust in them. They have mixed evil in with their religion. They practice sinful and shameful acts. All of this is to the dishonor of God, provoking Him to anger. Can you remember the call of Joshua all those years earlier, as they prepared to settle in this Promised Land? “Choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD” (Joshua 24:15).

Thoughts

One of the most effective deterrents for burglars is a camera surveillance system. The thought of being seen or being caught doing something wrong is often the only thing that prevents people from committing evil.

Yet, notice how many times the Bible says, “He did evil in the sight of the LORD.” We sadly grow comfortable in our sin, having convinced ourselves that no one knows about it, or even growing numb to the truth that nothing is hidden from God. Evil and good are both done in the sight of the LORD, and even our thoughts and motivations are open before Him.

This phrase has another meaning wrapped in it, as well. Not only does it tell us that God sees everything, but it means that He is the perfect, righteous Judge. He is the One who determines if a given action is evil or right in His sight. He sets the standard.

It’s something we must be careful not to read over too quickly, and, for sure, something we need to remember. Everything we do is done in the sight of the LORD, and is measured against His perfect standard.

Lord, help us to do right in Your sight.