Topical Bible: Unholy Fear: Ahaz

◄ Unholy Fear: Ahaz ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

Ahaz, the son of Jotham and king of Judah, is a prominent biblical figure whose reign is marked by a departure from the faithfulness of his forefathers and a reliance on unholy fear. His account is primarily found in 2 Kings 16, 2 Chronicles 28, and Isaiah 7. Ahaz's reign, which lasted from approximately 732 to 716 BC, is characterized by idolatry, political alliances with pagan nations, and a lack of trust in the Lord.

Idolatry and Apostasy

Ahaz's unholy fear is first evident in his religious practices. Unlike his father Jotham, who "did what was right in the eyes of the LORD" (2 Kings 15:34), Ahaz embraced idolatry. He "walked in the ways of the kings of Israel" and even "made his son pass through the fire, according to the abominations of the nations whom the LORD had driven out before the Israelites" (2 Kings 16:3). This act of child sacrifice, likely to the god Molech, underscores Ahaz's deep-seated fear of foreign powers and deities, leading him to adopt their detestable practices.

Political Alliances and Distrust in God

Ahaz's reign was fraught with political turmoil, notably the Syro-Ephraimite War, where Rezin, king of Aram, and Pekah, son of Remaliah, king of Israel, besieged Jerusalem. Instead of turning to the Lord for deliverance, Ahaz sought assistance from Tiglath-Pileser III, king of Assyria. He sent messengers to Tiglath-Pileser, saying, "I am your servant and your son. Come up and save me from the hand of the king of Aram and the king of Israel, who are rising up against me" (2 Kings 16:7). This alliance with Assyria, a pagan nation, was a direct result of Ahaz's unholy fear and lack of faith in God's protection.

Isaiah's Prophecy and Ahaz's Rejection

The prophet Isaiah confronted Ahaz during this crisis, offering him a sign from the Lord as a reassurance of divine protection. Isaiah said, "Ask the LORD your God for a sign, whether in the depths of Sheol or in the heights of heaven" (Isaiah 7:11). However, Ahaz refused, feigning piety by saying, "I will not ask; I will not test the LORD" (Isaiah 7:12). This refusal was not an act of faith but rather a demonstration of his unwillingness to trust in God's promises, further illustrating his unholy fear.

Consequences of Unholy Fear

Ahaz's reliance on Assyria had dire consequences for Judah. While Tiglath-Pileser did assist Ahaz by capturing Damascus and killing Rezin (2 Kings 16:9), the alliance came at a significant cost. Ahaz plundered the temple and royal treasury to pay tribute to Assyria, and he introduced Assyrian altar designs into the temple in Jerusalem (2 Kings 16:10-16). This syncretism further corrupted the worship of Yahweh and led Judah deeper into idolatry.

Ahaz's unholy fear and lack of faith in God resulted in spiritual and political decline for Judah. His reign serves as a cautionary tale of the dangers of forsaking trust in the Lord for reliance on human alliances and idolatrous practices.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 7:2
And it was told the house of David, saying, Syria is confederate with Ephraim. And his heart was moved, and the heart of his people, as the trees of the wood are moved with the wind.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Scriptures Showing the Sin and Danger of Joining with Wicked and ...
... and cause, most holy things to maintain unholy or common ... is not so despisable a thing
to fear alway, and ... defence, and make them naked, as Ahaz his confederacy ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/section v scriptures showing the.htm

The Hebrew Prophecies.
... they constantly intermeddled; bad laws and unholy policies found ... done during the
reigns of Ahaz, "the Grasper ... We should fear being banished for our neglect to ...
/.../gladden/who wrote the bible/chapter v the hebrew prophecies.htm

Light for them that Sit in Darkness;
... of the covenant wherewith he was sanctified an unholy thing ... begins"'Men of Israel,
and ye that fear God, give ... in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/light for them that sit.htm

The Iranian Conquest
... renown, and Saoshyant shall strike down the she-demon of the unholy light, the ... or
the athravan, to the priest whose voice inspires the demons with fear, or the ...
/.../chapter ithe iranian conquest.htm

The Life and Death of Mr. Badman,
... The fear of the punishment would make thee forbear; yea, would make thee tremble,
even then when thy lusts were powerful, to think what a punishment thou wast ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the life and death of.htm