July 15, 2017. 2 Chronicles 28, 2 Kings 16-17.

In Order. Can’t Have It Both Ways

There is a saying “you can’t have your cake and eat it too” this quote comes to mind when reading these chapters.  We find ourselves thrown into a time when Israel and Judah are honestly not sure what who they are worshipping or why. 

In 2 Chronicles 28 we find king Ahaz who wants nothing more than to please the world and those around him.  Picture a young guy just wanting to fit in and there you have Ahaz.  In the very first verse after he is introduced it clearly states that he is not there to follow God.

2 Chronicles 28:1

Ahaz was twenty years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem sixteen years. Unlike David his father, he did not do what was right in the eyes of the Lord.

But then flip over to 2 Kings 16 and they go into a little more detail about Ahaz.  This whole chapter is about Ahaz begging for help from other kings and having them bail him out of trouble.  While visiting one of those kings he sees an altar that must belong to a god that will do what Ahaz wants, so he sends word to his priest to have one built before he returns home.  Once he sees this new altar he has it moved to a more prominent place and states that all of the sacrifices will be done on this new altar.  But wait, hold on, what about the bronze altar that belongs to the Lord?

2 Kings 16:15

“…But I will use the bronze altar for seeking guidance.”

Oh Ahaz, have you learned nothing from your father and those who came before you? It is actually pretty simple, there is only one God, and he is the only one you need.  Really Ahaz, do you think that sacrificing to one god and yet seeking guidance the God is going to help in your situation? Nope.

During this time there continued to be this thought that if they worshiped the Lord that they could also worship their idols. 

2 Kings 17:41

Even while these people were worshiping the Lord, they were serving their idols. To this day their children and grandchildren continue to do as their ancestors did.

Ask yourself this, what are you still holding onto that you know is not something that the Lord would have you follow? What are you trying to keep in your life knowing that it is not what God wants in your life? Identify it and give it over to your Lord and watch how he makes himself more known in your life.  Wouldn’t you rather be remembered as someone who did right in the eyes of the Lord?