The Arvada enterprise., 1917-07-05

about 1870 to 723 Il. c.. over the king
dom Of Judah. its capital being in Jeru-
salem. The kingdom was nearing Its
end, and was destroyed within few
years after the death OF Ahaz. His
character presents many interesting
questions for discussion; the character
Of his reign, the wealth and prosperity
of his father and grandfather, the de-
velopment Of his character from the
home wherein he originated, why ma
ton can be successful and not be right
eous or virtuous, that Is. outwardly
successful, and the application OF these
questions to our present-day political
and commercial lives.
!. Ahaz, the Ruler, wv. 1-5). The
character Of Ahaz Is not to be admired.
He played prominent and evil part
In the history OF the Kingdom OF Judah.
We find his name recorded among the
Syrian inscriptions OF the year 732 Is.
c., the Hebrew historian having
dropped the prefix "JehO" from his
name. The full name indicates that
he had "grasped Jehovah" yet he was
untrue to his name. The historian says
che 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
age when he,took the throne, but had
already entered upon course of action
opposed to that of his father.
II. Ahax Ruined. The choice lay
before him Of following in the steps OF
his grandfather Uzziah and his father
lothian (II Chron. / 10Y. He chose to
defy God, openly dlsobeyed him and
wns dlsloyal to his God and his coun-
try, walking In the ways Of the kings
Of Israel, ". y, burnt his children In
the fire, after the denominations OF the
heather, ". 81, made molten limoges
of Baal, ". p, and spread that wor-
ship into the high places on the hills
and under every green tree ". ~,
made sacrilegious use Of the temples
treasury. and was dishonest as well as
profane. He trusted Baalim more than
he trusted God.
~. Ahax Rebuked. God did not al.
low him to pursue his course Of action
without protest. When the children OF
good men 20 wrong, there Ii no meas
uring the extent OF deprnvity to which
they will sink. Nevertheless, God was
opposed md tried to save the young
/ sh. I'D u0ah tho
king OF Syria M one agency for rebuk-
ing this mad young nun. He carried
away great muititudes captive, one
hundred and twenty thousand In ono
day ". o., and 1.-TWO hundred thou
sand women. sons and daughters"
". 81 at another date. Ahnz himself
was filed with terror mt the great ca
lnmity that overlook him. lisa. 7:2)
While he received temporary help I'll
Kings 10: o, 10Y, he received ultimately
ruin from the king Of Assyria, for he
became n vnssal and was summoned
to Damascus to pHy homage to That
king. ns appears from the account ii
Kings 1919, and also from the Assy-
rim inscription, above referred to.
Other enemies also attacked him
Edomitcs from the southeast carried
away cnptIvcs, md the Phlllstincs
from the southwest invaded the cities
Of the low plains, south OF judah. ana
took possession Of them wv. 17-10) and
the army OF the Assyrinn, which Ahnz
led to rob md profnnc the temple and
It's treasures In order to buy them on
". 22-2D, completed the ruin Of his
milton. Ahaz was forced to pny n
hcavy tribute to the Assyrnn king
". 2I). and got no help for his out.
lny. He put his trust In mn arm OF
flesh instcnd Of In the mighty arm OF
God. which brought upon him the
curse That always comes TO those who
trust In mnn tJcr. II 20. %. There IL
n blessing which always nwnits those
who trust In Jehovah der. 1871, ~.
| The wise man turns 10 God not In the
| time OF his distress but ut NIL times.
instcnd Of sacrificing 10 the God who
| snvcd his father and who would saw"
him. Ahnz sacrificed To the god (which
smotc him" His Defiance knew no
bounds ". 2i. He seemed 10 hnvc
dnbblcd In every known form Of falls"
worship, thereby provoking 10 anger
the Lord God OF his fathers" II Rlngs
23:11, 12). God In long.snIoring to
| those who wnndor from him. but ihcr"
comes mn end 10 his patience on Peter
$50. 100.
~. Tho Reverse Picture. There
nre several problems to be solved ns
| az pIA,u iIIu t,Igt far II la tt1F.