in 2 Chronicles 28, we explore one of the Bible’s more unsettling stories – the reign of King Ahaz. It’s a story that isn’t for the faint-hearted, as it dives deep into the harsh realities of idol worship, child sacrifice, and the spiritual decay of a king who took his people down a dark path. But there’s a reason to look closely at Ahaz’s choices, especially in a world where our own modern idols may be less visible but no less real.

Recognizing Modern Idols in Everyday Life

Ahaz turned to idols like Baal, Asherah, and Molech – gods that demanded shocking sacrifices, including human life, in exchange for prosperity or victory. But even as we recoil from the brutality of his time, it’s worth asking: what idols are we letting into our lives? They may not be physical statues, but perhaps we find ourselves sacrificing time, relationships, or even integrity to modern “Baals” of success, comfort, or influence.

It’s a sobering question because it challenges us to think about the costs of our ambitions. Do we compromise time with family, personal health, or integrity to climb higher? Reflecting on Ahaz, we may realize that sometimes we all need a reset, a moment to re-evaluate what we’re truly “worshiping” with our lives.

Preserving Life and Dignity in a Culture That’s Lost Its Way

One of the hardest parts of Ahaz’s story is his descent into practices that stripped away the dignity of life. While these practices are thankfully not a norm today, our culture still faces moments where the value of life is questioned and compromised. This challenge exists not only in big debates but also in daily interactions – from how we treat people around us to how we advocate for the vulnerable among us.

Wrestling with the “New Faces” of Ancient Idols

Ahaz’s time may feel distant, but the idols of his day show up in our world in different forms. Baal, the god of prosperity, still calls in the form of unchecked ambition, where wealth or status becomes the ultimate goal. Asherah, the goddess of sexuality, finds expression in today’s media-saturated culture, often pulling people away from healthy relationships and into cycles of addiction and emptiness. Molech’s legacy, too, isn’t entirely absent in modern discussions around the sanctity of life.

These aren’t just hypothetical concerns; they’re woven into the fabric of our culture. Just as Ahaz had to make choices for himself and his kingdom, we face choices daily about what we elevate as most important. The challenge is to see past the pull of these “gods” and remember the values that truly bring life.

The Glimmer of Hope: A Promise of Immanuel

Even in the middle of Ahaz’s dark story, there’s a glimmer of hope. The prophet Isaiah met Ahaz at a low point and offered a promise that was both immediate and timeless: Immanuel – God with us. This was a hint of the Christmas story centuries before its fulfillment, a sign of hope in a king’s time and for us today.

This reminder of God’s presence even in dark times is like a heartbeat of hope pulsing through the chaos, reassuring us that he hasn’t abandoned us and never will.

Living as People of Light in Dark Times

Reflecting on Ahaz’s story leads us to ask: how do we want our lives to speak? It’s about being people who stand for life, hope, and love in a world that sometimes feels full of the opposite. It’s about making choices that reflect faith over fear and letting that faith be the loudest voice in our lives.

Ahaz’s story may be dark, but it ultimately reminds us that God is still with us, calling us to stand firm, live with integrity, and hold fast to hope – not just for ourselves, but for a world that needs it more than ever.

Blog adapted from October 27, 2024, message by Minister Mark Ashton

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