Dave's Diary

Daily Readings: 2 Kings 16 and Psalm 133

Who do you trust more? I mean really trust? The LORD or the powerful?

King Ahaz of Judah is not given much airtime in 2 Kings but he has a big lesson to teach us. When we read this chapter alongside Isaiah 7 we see clearly where Ahaz’ heart was. Early in 2 Kings 6 we’re told how Ahaz completely abandoned Yahweh and sold himself out to the worship of the Canaanite gods like Molech, to whom he sacrificed his own son.

When King Rezin of Aram and King Pekah of Israel formed an alliance and attacked Judah, the prophet Isaiah went out to meet Ahaz and brought him a prophetic word from the Lord (Isaiah 7:3-9) encouraging him and calling on him to return to the LORD, stand firm and trust in Yahweh. The LORD then invited Ahaz to ask for any sign to reassure him (Isaiah 7:10-11). Ahaz refused, claiming the moral high ground of “not putting the LORD to the test.” (Isaiah 7:12) What nonsense! He had no desire to honour the LORD. He had already turned his back on him. So Isaiah speaks God’s word of promise to His people (that a virgin will give birth to a son, who will be named Immanuel) but also a great word of warning to Ahaz that He will bring judgment on Judah in the form of the King of Assyria.

Instead of repenting, trusting the Lord, taking up His gracious offer of a sign, and receiving His promise of deliverance, Ahaz instead sent all the riches of the LORD’s temple to the very same king of Assyria (2 Kings 16:7-9). With this “gift” to Tiglath-Pileser, Ahaz purchased his protection from Syria and Israel in the short term. But the LORD’s warning would come true in years to come.

Ahaz then even journeyed to Assyria and sent back the plans for a pagan altar, which was built to replace the altar to Yahweh in the Temple. Ahaz’s choice to reject Yahweh was firmly made. Anything to please the rich and powerful Tiglath-Pileser and win his favour!

Again, we should ask ourselves: When faced with a choice, do I trust the Lord, or do I trust in powerful, wealthy, influential people? Today, let’s choose the LORD!

LORD my God, I choose to trust in You. Holy Spirit, help me not to be swayed by the desires of the powerful, the popular, the wealthy, or the influential … but to live only for My Father’s pleasure. Amen.