2 Chronicles 28:1-11

Smitten for Forsaking the Lord

2 Chronicles 28:1

The reign of Ahaz was marked by terrible and rapid degeneration. He not only restored idolatry and offered his children to Moloch, but as the difficulties of his reign increased, he made an alliance with the king of Assyria, notwithstanding the vehement protests of Isaiah. His extreme wickedness made him notorious. “This is that king Ahaz,” 2 Chronicles 28:22. The instruments used for his punishment were the kings of Syria and Israel, 2 Chronicles 28:5; and his sin led to the suffering of his people, carried from their homes to Samaria. When a nation or an individual life turns from the love and life of God, it becomes at once a prey to enemies that are lurking near, as an anemic constitution is liable to the microbes of disease.

It was a noble act on the part of the prophet Oded to denounce the captivity of so many brethren and sisters; and his splendid protest touched the finest chords in the conquerors' hearts. We must never flinch from holding up God's standard before the minds of our contemporaries. It will often arrest evil and incite to nobleness of action.