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CHAPTER 8 - AHAZ, (TWELFTH) KING OF JUDAH, PEKAH
(NINETEENTH), HOSHEA, (TWENTIETH) KING OF ISRAEL
Import of the Changes introduced by Ahaz - Purpose of the Syro-Israelitish League -
Taking of Elath, Success of Rezin, and Victory of Pekah - Siege of Jerusalem - Appeal to
Assyria -Message of Isaiah - Withdrawal of the Allies - Danger from Assyria - The
Prophet Oded and Liberation of the Judaean Captives - Lessons of it - The Name Shear
Yashub - Assyrian March upon Israel - Capture and Annexation of Naphtali - Further
Campaign - Taking of Samaria - Revolution, and Murder of Pekah -Succession of Hoshea
- Transportation of Israelites - Siege and Capture of Damascus - Death of Rezin -
Cessation of the Syrian Power. (2 KINGS 15:29, 30; 16; 2 CHRONICLES 28)
A RELIGIOUS change so complete as that which has been described might seem
incredible if it had been sudden, or we were left in ignorance of its deeper causes. In
truth, it was no less than a systematic attempt to substitute a complicated heathenism for
the religion of the Old Testament. If its institutions had any deeper spiritual import,
everything in them must have been symbolic. Hence, every alteration would necessarily
destroy the symmetry, the harmony, and with them the meaning of all. To substitute for
the altar of burnt-offering one after the heathen pattern was not only to infringe on the
Divinely prescribed order, but to destroy its symbolism. More than this, it was to interfere
with, and in a sense to subvert, the institution of sacrifices, which formed the central part
in the religion of Israel. Again, to close the doors of the Holy and Most Holy Places* was
to abolish what set forth Israel's fellowship with their Lord, His gracious acceptance of
them, and His communication of pardon, light, and life.
- That such was literally the case is confirmed by the notice of the re-opening of the
doors of the Sanctuary in 2 Chronicles 29:3; comp. verses 7, 17.
The temple of Ahaz was no longer that of Jehovah, and the attempt to attach the old
services to the new altar would only aggravate the sin, while it exhibited the folly of the
king.
Even more strange seems the mixture of heathen rites which it was sought to introduce by
the side of the perverted Temple ritual. It consisted of the worship of the Syrian deities,
of Baalim, of Ashtoreth,* of the host of heaven, and of Molech - in short, it combined
Syrian, Phoenician, and Assyrian idolatry.**
- This is implied in the reference to the worship "under every green tree" in 2 Chronicles
28:4.
** It is only right to say that in Assyrian worship there is not a trace of human sacrifices.
(^)