Week 26a--2 Kings 16-18, 2 Chronicles 28-31

There aren’t very many chapters in our history lesson this week, but we’ve seen before that a lot can happen in a few chapters. 

We begin when Ahaz is king of Judah. He is an evil king, who makes altars to many Ba’al’s and causes his own children “pass through the fire.” This refers to human sacrifice, a horrific practice...and also forbidden by God. He also alters the Temple to make it match pagan temples in Damascus and adds more high places. Seems he hasn’t learned from what his brother kings in Israel have done! Judah is raided by Edom during this time.  

Isaiah and Hosea prophesy during this time.

Meanwhile, Hoshea takes the throne of Israel from Pekah.  He is the last king of Israel, because the final judgment has come on God’s disobedient people. King Shalmaneser of Assyria attacks Israel and the people are carried off into captivity. The nation of Israel is no more. History tells us this happened in 722 BC. A priest comes to Assyria to teach Israel how to properly serve the Lord again, so that they will be restored (the Bible does not give his name). Unfortunately, the Israelites both serve God and follow the idols of their new native land.

Back in Judah, Ahaz dies and his son Hezekiah ascends to the throne. He does right, correcting the mistakes of many generations of kings. The temple is repaired again, and most importantly, Hezekiah renews the covenant between God and Judah. He decides to celebrate the Passover for the first time in years (if not decades). Messengers are sent out to all the remaining cities, with invitations to celebrate the Passover. The messengers are mocked, but many people come to Jerusalem anyway. 

Now Hezekiah has the timing a little off, and some of the details of this Passover are not quite right, and there are so many people in Jerusalem that extra Levites are recruited to make the sacrifices. Passover rites are very specific--God set them up in a very definite way, and at this time Hezekiah and his people are not able to follow all of the rules to the letter. However, God sees the intent of their heart is to honor and follow Him. Because of this Passover celebration, God heals and purifies the remaining children of Israel. There was rejoicing such as had not been seen since the days of Solomon. The Asherah poles and high places are finally removed, a tithe is brought to the temple, and all the people are registered. The kingdom of Judah is entering a time of blessing and prosperity, just as God has promised.

Hey, week 26! We’re halfway through!