The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1917-07-06
soNFoRJULYs'
AHAz, THE FAlTHLEss KING.

LESSON TEXT-n c4ron. 2s;1S, 2o:z3.
lji8SisN TEETlWlthout fifth II IL
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LESSON TIExT-Il Chiffon sqa-M
Ahaz reigned sixteen years from
about 7sa to 728 B. G., over the king
som Of Judah, Its capital being in Jeru-
iem. The kingdom was nearing it,
nd. and was destroyed within q few
syears after the death of Ahaz. BIS
character presents many interesting
aIIestions for discussion; the character
his reign, the wealth and prosperity
E his father and grandfather, the de-
veIopment Of his character from the
home wherein he originated, why a ma
don can be successful and not be right
.ons or Yiftuous, that is, outwardly.
IhecessfuI, and the application Of these
uuestions to our pressnt-day political
ma commercial lives!
Ahaz, the Ruler, wv. 10. The
.hhracter Of Ahaz is not to be admired.
He played a prominent and evil part
n the history Of the Kingdom Of Judah.
We md his name recorded among the
syrian inscriptions Of the year 1872 3.
the Hebrew historian having
dropped the prefix "Jehp" from bic
name. The full name indicates that
rs had @grasped Jehovah" yet he was
untrue to his name. Tho HISTORIAN says
the did not that which was right in the
SIGHT Of the Lord" This puts 1t mildly,
but indeed few of the kings Of Judah
did otherwise, and he patterned his
conduct not after the good model Of his
father, but the thoroughly bad conduct
Of the kings Of the northern nation,
Israel. He was but twenty years Of
Rge when he took the throne, but had
already entered upon a course Of action
opposed 70 that Of his father.
Ii. Ahaz Ruined. The choice lay
before him Of following In the steps Of
his srandfather Uzalah and his father
lothian CH Chron. 1:fO). He chose to
defy God, openly disobeyed him and
was dlsloyal 70, his God and his coun-
nv, walking In the ways Of the kings
81 Israel, ". q, burnt his children IN
the Ere, after the denominations OF the
heather, ". 81, made molten images
Of Baal, ". y, and spread that wor-
Ship into the high places on the hills
and under every green tree ", ~,
made sacrilegious use Of the temples
.s.so e,,rv and vyas dishonest as wen as
profane. He trusted Baalim more than
be trusted God:
M. Ahaz Rebuked. God did not al
low him to pursue his course Of action
without protest. When the children Of
good men go wrong, there is no meas
i1risir tie extent Of depravtty to which
they will sink. Nevertheless, God was
opposed and tried to spye the young
man and the milton. God used the
king Of Syria as one agency for rebuk.
Ing this mad young man. BE carried
away great multItudes captive, one
hundred and twenty thousand IN one
DAY ". 81, and 1.-TWO hundred thous
Iahd women, sons and dauGmersP
n. 81 at another date. Ahaz himself
VAS filed with terror at the great ca
lanity TINT overlook him. usa. T;2.)
While ne received temporary help tu
Kings ,1e: 9, 10), he received ultimately
min from the king Of Assyria, for he
became yassal and was summoned
Is Damascus to pay homage to that
kfng, as appears from the account u
Kings 1879, and also from the Assy-
Ran inscription, above referred to.
Other enemies also attacked him.
Edomites from the southeast carried
IVY captives, and the PhIiShnss
from the southwest invaded the cades
pf the low plains, south Of judah, and
fooR possession Of them wv. 17-194 and
lie army Of the Assyrian, which Aha4
led 20 rob and profane the temple and
rs treasures In order to buy them on
q. 22-24), completed the ruin OF his
nation. Ahaz was forced to pay a
heavy tribute to the Assyrian ing
q. Pr, and got no help for his opt
laH He put his trust in an arm OF
fesh instead Of In the mighty arm OF
cod! which brought upon him the
curse that always comes to those who
trusk in man Ger. 175, 81. There is
a blessing which always awaits those
who trust in Jehovah Ger. 17:7, q.
heswise man turns to God not ip the
fine Of his distress but at all times.
instead of sacrificing to the God who
saved his father and who would save
Nm Ahaz sacrificed to the god (which
,n,ote him." His defiance knew 70
bounds ". 24). he seemed to have
dabbied in every known form Of false
worship, thereby provoking to anger
lheitord God of his fathers" al Kings
ss:iI. .1Rj. Cod Is long-suHering 10
thoss whpwsndst frpm him. but thee
comes ap end 70 FpV.. bis patience t4 ReFer
III Tie asvsrss Picture. There
lre several problems to be solved AZ,
rs view this picture, for It is a stog
& Il ri LIE, not only II the early times
but Is being repeated even today and
III ills country. a. Men win reap
dat which they sow One cannot SOW
Wildcats and reap the fruits Of right
guinness. (2) Jehovah pmees right
eousaess above security or prosperity.
81 Gods purposes are Tor The tplltt