Here’s how the study works: Read the chapters mentioned in the heading during the week and share any words, thoughts, verses that stood out to you. Having a week for several chapters creates the opportunity to revisit them and make additional comments as you feel inclined as well as make comments on other people’s insights.
16:14 As for the bronze altar that stood before the Lord, he brought it from the front of the temple—from between the new altar and the temple of the Lord—and put it on the north side of the new altar.
(From Constable' Commentary) "As Ahab had imported Baal worship from Phoenicia, so Ahaz imported a foreign altar from Damascus… Ahaz did not completely discard the worship God had prescribed, but he changed it according to his liking, thus claiming God's authority (v. 15)".
Thus Ahaz introduced syncretism whereas Ahab introduced Baal worship. Both were unacceptable for God's people. It was so easy for God's people to get side tracked into looking to other things to satisfy. Changing beliefs to suit oneself is laziness and deceitful.
16:14 As for the bronze altar that stood before the Lord, he brought it from the front of the temple—from between the new altar and the temple of the Lord—and put it on the north side of the new altar.
(From Constable' Commentary) "As Ahab had imported Baal worship from Phoenicia, so Ahaz imported a foreign altar from Damascus… Ahaz did not completely discard the worship God had prescribed, but he changed it according to his liking, thus claiming God's authority (v. 15)".
Thus Ahaz introduced syncretism whereas Ahab introduced Baal worship. Both were unacceptable for God's people. It was so easy for God's people to get side tracked into looking to other things to satisfy. Changing beliefs to suit oneself is laziness and deceitful.
17:6 In the ninth year of Hoshea, the king of Assyria captured Samaria and deported the Israelites to Assyria. He settled them in Halah, in Gozan on the Habor River and in the towns of the Medes.
So the exile finally happens. Israel lost her land, her identity, everything that was important to her because she forsook God.
v.7-18 give the reasons for the exile. v.24-28 tells what happened in Israel afterwards and reveals the belief that people believed gods to be territorial.
17:6 In the ninth year of Hoshea, the king of Assyria captured Samaria and deported the Israelites to Assyria. He settled them in Halah, in Gozan on the Habor River and in the towns of the Medes.
So the exile finally happens. Israel lost her land, her identity, everything that was important to her because she forsook God.
v.7-18 give the reasons for the exile. v.24-28 tells what happened in Israel afterwards and reveals the belief that people believed gods to be territorial.
18:19 The field commander said to them, "Tell Hezekiah: This is what the great king, the king of Assyria, says: On what are you basing this confidence of yours?"
Hezekiah was basing his confidence on the Lord God. Of course, the Assyrians didn't understand this, having defeated Israel and the victories he had already experienced over the smaller towns in Judah (v.13-16).
It is not clear exactly when Hezekiah paid tribute to Assyria (v.15-16). Was it to avoid an attack on Jerusalem? If so, why did they attack? (v.17)
18:19 The field commander said to them, "Tell Hezekiah: This is what the great king, the king of Assyria, says: On what are you basing this confidence of yours?"
Hezekiah was basing his confidence on the Lord God. Of course, the Assyrians didn't understand this, having defeated Israel and the victories he had already experienced over the smaller towns in Judah (v.13-16).
It is not clear exactly when Hezekiah paid tribute to Assyria (v.15-16). Was it to avoid an attack on Jerusalem? If so, why did they attack? (v.17)
19:19 Now, Lord our God, deliver us from his hand, so that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you alone, Lord, are God.
Hezekiah's concern was that others would know that the Lord is God. Sennacherib didn't understand this. He thought Hezekiah's God was like all the others (v.12-13).
19:19 Now, Lord our God, deliver us from his hand, so that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you alone, Lord, are God.
Hezekiah's concern was that others would know that the Lord is God. Sennacherib didn't understand this. He thought Hezekiah's God was like all the others (v.12-13).
20:19 19 “The word of the Lord you have spoken is good,” Hezekiah replied. For he thought, “Will there not be peace and security in my lifetime?”
Hezekiah was glad disaster wouldn't happen in his lifetime. It would appear that he wasn't interested in leaving a legacy behind. It seems he didn't not sow into the next generation as his son was the most evil king that Judah had had.
How sad.
20:19 19 “The word of the Lord you have spoken is good,” Hezekiah replied. For he thought, “Will there not be peace and security in my lifetime?”
Hezekiah was glad disaster wouldn't happen in his lifetime. It would appear that he wasn't interested in leaving a legacy behind. It seems he didn't not sow into the next generation as his son was the most evil king that Judah had had.
How sad.