The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1917-07-07

about ~ Ia 123 Il. c.. over the Niug-
dom of 'Judah, its capital being in J"ru-
salem. The kingdom Was H"arln. its
End, and was destroyed within few
years after rhe death ot AhaZ. His
character presents many interesting
questions for discussion: the character
" his reign. the wealth ana. prosperity
nf his father and grandfather. the d"-
Vrlopmpnt of his character from the
home wherein ne originated. why Il ma
tion can he successful aud NOT he right
euus or virtuOuS. thai il. "u'wardiy
successful. and the application of these
questions To our present-day political
and commercial lives.
I. Ahaz, the Ruler. wv. Id. The
character of AhaZ i not To he admired
He played Il prominent and evil part
In the history of rlc Kingdom of Judah.
We find his nam" recorded among tn"
Syrian Inscriptions of the year - Il.
C.. the Hebrew historian having
dropped the prefix "J"ho' from his
name. The full n9m" indicates that
he had "graSppd Jehovah yet he WAS
untrue 10 his name. The historian says
he did not that which was right in the
sight of the Lord" This puts il mildly,
but indeed few of the kings of Judah
did otherwise. and he patterned his
conduct not after the good model of his
father. bur the thoroughly bad conduct
of the kings of the northern nation.
Israel. He was hut twenty years Of
age when he took III" throne. but had
already entered upon course of action
opposed 10 that Of his father and
grandfather in that hr initiated III"
ways of the kings Of Israel and caused
10 hc circulated Throughout the land
the image of Raal. He was rich and
prosperous. ourwardly. and his king
dom vas well organized. He had It
navy. and We are Told that the condi-
ton of the Kingdom was "f prosper
ity not known since the days Of Solo
mon. His name was spread abroad.
but what significant verse is ii
ChrOn. 26 IL.
u. Ahaz Ruined. The choice lay
before him of following in the steps Ot
his grandfather Jzziah and his father
lothian Gil Chron. ! 100. He chose {"
defy God. openly diSohryCd him and
was diSIoyal to his God and his coun-
fry. walking in the ways of the kings
of Israel. ". -. burnt his children In
the fire. after the denominations Of the
heather. ". -. made molten images
Of Baal. ". y. and spread that wor-
ship into the high places on the hills
and under every green tree ". ~,
made SaCrilpgiouS use of the temples
treasury. and was dishonest as we'll aS
profane. He trusted Baalim more than
he trusted God
~. Ahaz Rebuked. God did not al
low him To pursue his course of action
without protest When the children Of
good men 60 wrong. there is no meas
uring the extent of depraVity Ia which
they will sink. Nevertheless. God was
opposed and tried To save the young
man and the nation. God used the
king of Syria rs one agency for rebuk-
ing this mad young man. He carried
away great multitudeS captive, one
hundred and twenty thousand in one
day ". 81. and two hundred thou
sand women. sons and daughters"
". - mt another date. AhaZ himself
was filled with terror at The great ca
lamity that overlook him. lisa. = -
While he received temporary help Oh
Kings l6:9. 100. he received ultimately
ruin from the king of ASSyria. for he
became asvaSSal and was summoned
10 Damascus Ia pay homage :" that
king. - appears from the account ii
Kings 1919. and also from the ASsy-
rian- inscription. above referred To.
Other enemies also attacked him
Edomitrs from the southeast carried
away captivcs. and The PhiliStihcs
from the southwest invaded the cities
Of the low plains, south of Judah. and
took possession of them wv. ND and
the army of the ASSyrian. which 'AhaZ
led L. rob and prOfstnc the temple and
lis treasures In order To buy them off
". 22~24}. completed the ruin Of his
nation. Ahnz was forged IA pay Il
heavy tribute To the ASSyrian king
". 2l, and got no help for his out
lay. lie put his trust In an arm OF
flesh instead of in the mighty arm of
God WHICH brought upon him the
curse that always come; t1 those who
trust in man (Jer. II -. ~. There is
Il blessing which always awaits. those
twho trust in Jehovah Jcr. 1I:T, -.
'Thp wise. man turns Ia God not in the
time Of his distress but M all times.
HStrad of sacrificing to tn" God Who
saved his father. and who would save
him. AhaZ sacrificed to the god (which
'Smote him" His defiance knew no
hounds ". .2Il. lie seemed To have
-dabhIed in every known form Ut fniSc
worship, thereby provoking 10 abT"r
'rbe Eorr Cod of his fathers" tIT kiYgS
Ell, I'D. God * lopg-S suffering to
.,hoSe Who Wander from him. hut there
rrorncS M end 10 his patience or Peter
30. 100,
i W. The Reverse Picture There
-arr several problems 10 10 solved as
We view this picture for il iS story
of real life, not only of the early times
hut is being repeated even today and
- This country. Cd Men will reap
that which they SON. one cannot SOW
wild oats and reap the fruits of right