2 Chronicles 28:16–27

Read the passage.

Even though Israel returned their captives, more of Judah’s neighbors invaded and captured people from its villages. Edom and Philistia again rose up and raided Judah, even going so far as to settle their own peple in the land. King Ahaz attempts to get help from Assyria, the dominant world power of the time, by sending tribute, but it did not help. Tiglath-pileser was not impressed with the gift and instead of helping, afflicted Judah still further.

Ahaz’s response to these problems is the exact opposite of what we should do. Instead of recognizing them as punishments from the Lord for leading the people of Judah into idolatry, he doubles down. He believes that the gods of Syria were mightier than the God of his fathers, and begins sacrificing to them in the hope of gaining their favor. Not only does he give his own allegience to them, but he actively inhibits the worship of Yahweh by destroying the vessels of the temple and blocking up the doors. Until this point, idolatry in Israel and Judah seems to have been fairly syncretic. People would worship the Lord in His temple, but also go to the high places and sacrifice there. For a lot of the time, they didn’t see a problem with these split allegiences.

I find it shocking, really, that the exile of Judah didn’t start at this point. However, the Lord in His faithfulness to His people, even in the midst of their faithlessness, knew that it was not the right time in history for it. Babylon when it conquered would keep the people as a cohesive community within its empire, but when Assyria conquered Israel it dispersed them so that they would integrate better. The kings and prophets that came after Ahaz would not have had the chance to do as they did, which have direct impacts on the Scriptures we have today. The Lord has an eternal perspective and knows all things that can and would happen, so He always makes perfect decisions.

Do not let us be discouraged, because we can trust You to do what is ultimately right.