2 Kings 16:14
He also took the bronze altar that stood before the LORD from the front of the temple (between the new altar and the house of the LORD) and he put it on the north side of the new altar.
He also took the bronze altar that stood before the LORD
The bronze altar, originally constructed under the guidance of Moses (Exodus 27:1-8), was a central element in Israelite worship, symbolizing atonement and sacrifice. It stood before the LORD, indicating its role in facilitating the people's approach to God. This altar was a place where offerings were made, signifying the people's devotion and repentance. The act of moving it suggests a significant departure from established worship practices, reflecting King Ahaz's disregard for divine instructions.

from the front of the temple
The altar's original position at the front of the temple signified its importance in the sacrificial system. It was strategically placed to be the first point of contact for worshipers entering the temple, emphasizing the necessity of sacrifice before approaching God. This placement was in accordance with divine instructions, highlighting the centrality of sacrifice in maintaining a covenant relationship with God.

(between the new altar and the house of the LORD)
The new altar, constructed by King Ahaz, was modeled after an altar he saw in Damascus (2 Kings 16:10-11). This reflects Ahaz's syncretism, blending pagan practices with Israelite worship. The positioning of the bronze altar between the new altar and the house of the LORD indicates a shift in focus from the divinely ordained practices to those influenced by foreign nations. This act symbolizes a compromise in the purity of worship and a deviation from the covenantal faithfulness expected of Israel.

and he put it on the north side of the new altar
Moving the bronze altar to the north side represents a demotion of its significance. The north side was not the prescribed location, indicating a deliberate alteration of worship practices. This action by Ahaz can be seen as a rejection of God's established order, prioritizing human innovation over divine command. It reflects a broader theme in Scripture where deviation from God's instructions leads to spiritual decline. This act foreshadows the eventual downfall of Judah due to persistent unfaithfulness, as prophesied by the prophets.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Ahaz
King of Judah who reigned during a time of spiritual decline. He is known for his unfaithfulness to God, including altering the temple worship practices.

2. The Bronze Altar
Originally designed by Solomon, this altar was used for burnt offerings and stood as a central piece in the temple worship, symbolizing the people's relationship with God.

3. The New Altar
An altar constructed by King Ahaz, modeled after one he saw in Damascus. It represents a shift towards pagan practices and a departure from God's instructions.

4. The Temple of the LORD
The sacred place in Jerusalem where God’s presence dwelt among His people, and where prescribed worship was to be conducted according to the Law of Moses.

5. Damascus
The capital of Aram, where Ahaz saw the altar that inspired his changes. It represents foreign influence and idolatry.
Teaching Points
Faithfulness to God's Instructions
Ahaz's actions serve as a warning against altering God's commands to fit personal or cultural preferences. We must remain faithful to Scripture, even when external influences tempt us to compromise.

The Danger of Syncretism
Mixing true worship with pagan practices leads to spiritual decline. Believers are called to discernment and purity in worship, avoiding the incorporation of non-biblical elements.

The Importance of Spiritual Leadership
Leaders have a profound impact on the spiritual direction of their communities. Ahaz's failure highlights the need for godly leadership that upholds biblical truth.

The Consequences of Disobedience
Ahaz's changes to the temple worship resulted in negative consequences for Judah. Disobedience to God’s commands can lead to spiritual and communal downfall.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Ahaz's decision to move the bronze altar reflect his spiritual state, and what can we learn from this about the importance of maintaining our spiritual priorities?

2. In what ways do we see modern parallels to Ahaz's syncretism in today's church, and how can we guard against them?

3. How does the original purpose of the bronze altar, as described in Exodus, inform our understanding of true worship?

4. What role does spiritual leadership play in maintaining the integrity of worship, and how can we support our leaders in this task?

5. Reflect on a time when you faced pressure to compromise your faith. How did you respond, and what biblical principles can guide you in similar situations in the future?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 27:1-8
Describes the original design and purpose of the bronze altar, emphasizing its importance in the sacrificial system established by God.

2 Chronicles 28:22-25
Provides additional context on Ahaz's reign, detailing his further unfaithfulness and the consequences of his actions.

Leviticus 17:1-9
Highlights the importance of offering sacrifices only at the designated place, underscoring the significance of the bronze altar's original position.
A People's King and Priest, or Kinghood and PriesthoodDavid Thomas, D. D.2 Kings 16:1-20
A People's King and Priest; Or, Kinghood and PriesthoodD. Thomas 2 Kings 16:1-20
Steps in a Downward Path: the Reign of AhazC.H. Irwin 2 Kings 16:1-20
The Altar to Inquire ByD. Davies.2 Kings 16:10-15
The Cosmopolitan in ReligionC. Brown.2 Kings 16:10-15
Using God for EmergenciesW. Aikman, D. D.2 Kings 16:10-15
Religious InnovationsJ. Orr 2 Kings 16:10-20
People
Ahaz, Aram, David, Edomites, Hezekiah, Israelites, Jotham, Pekah, Remaliah, Rezin, Syrians, Tiglathpileser, Uriah, Urijah
Places
Assyria, Damascus, Elath, Jerusalem, Kir, Syria
Topics
Altar, Brass, Brazen, Bringeth, Bronze, Forefront, Forward, Front, North, Northward, Putteth, Removed, Stood, Temple
Dictionary of Bible Themes
2 Kings 16:1-20

     5366   king

2 Kings 16:7-18

     5305   empires

2 Kings 16:10-16

     5811   compromise
     7245   Judah, kingdom of

Library
That the Employing Of, and Associating with the Malignant Party, According as is Contained in the Public Resolutions, is Sinful and Unlawful.
That The Employing Of, And Associating With The Malignant Party, According As Is Contained In The Public Resolutions, Is Sinful And Unlawful. If there be in the land a malignant party of power and policy, and the exceptions contained in the Act of Levy do comprehend but few of that party, then there need be no more difficulty to prove, that the present public resolutions and proceedings do import an association and conjunction with a malignant party, than to gather a conclusion from clear premises.
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

The Prophet Amos.
GENERAL PRELIMINARY REMARKS. It will not be necessary to extend our preliminary remarks on the prophet Amos, since on the main point--viz., the circumstances under which he appeared as a prophet--the introduction to the prophecies of Hosea may be regarded as having been written for those of Amos also. For, according to the inscription, they belong to the same period at which Hosea's prophetic ministry began, viz., the latter part of the reign of Jeroboam II., and after Uzziah had ascended the
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Of the Power of Making Laws. The Cruelty of the Pope and his Adherents, in this Respect, in Tyrannically Oppressing and Destroying Souls.
1. The power of the Church in enacting laws. This made a source of human traditions. Impiety of these traditions. 2. Many of the Papistical traditions not only difficult, but impossible to be observed. 3. That the question may be more conveniently explained, nature of conscience must be defined. 4. Definition of conscience explained. Examples in illustration of the definition. 5. Paul's doctrine of submission to magistrates for conscience sake, gives no countenance to the Popish doctrine of the obligation
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion

That Upon the Conquest and Slaughter of vitellius Vespasian Hastened his Journey to Rome; but Titus his Son Returned to Jerusalem.
1. And now, when Vespasian had given answers to the embassages, and had disposed of the places of power justly, [25] and according to every one's deserts, he came to Antioch, and consulting which way he had best take, he preferred to go for Rome, rather than to march to Alexandria, because he saw that Alexandria was sure to him already, but that the affairs at Rome were put into disorder by Vitellius; so he sent Mucianus to Italy, and committed a considerable army both of horsemen and footmen to
Flavius Josephus—The Wars of the Jews or History of the Destruction of Jerusalem

The Prophet Micah.
PRELIMINARY REMARKS. Micah signifies: "Who is like Jehovah;" and by this name, the prophet is consecrated to the incomparable God, just as Hosea was to the helping God, and Nahum to the comforting God. He prophesied, according to the inscription, under Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah. We are not, however, entitled, on this account, to dissever his prophecies, and to assign particular discourses to the reign of each of these kings. On the contrary, the entire collection forms only one whole. At
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.),
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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