2 Chron. 28; 2 Kings 16
When King Uzziah was made a leper, his son, Jotham, became judge over Israel, and later was king (Chapter. 27). It is good to read of this young man that
“He did what was right in the sight of the Lord, and became nighty because he prepared his ways before the Lord.”
He had the walls of Jerusalem made stronger and castles and towers built in the land. And there was another important work done, although one not so much seen: it was a record written of the names and tribes of the men of Israel. This was needed for each man to claim his portion of land, or to show his claim to any office (1 Chron. 5:1717All these were reckoned by genealogies in the days of Jotham king of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam king of Israel. (1 Chronicles 5:17)).
Ahaz, the son of Jotham, the next king, did not give his heart to the Lord, or listen to His prophets. He, too, was king when a young man, and could have done good for the people. Instead, he set up idols and did very wickedly.
God let him have trouble in war, yet he did not pray to God. If a child makes a clay man to play with, he is not so foolish as to think the toy man could give him food or a bed, nor help him when ill: he would ask his parents. Yet this king asked help of idols, which could not hear or help. It is because people do not want to pray to God, that they make and pray to idols.
King Ahaz, sinned more and more. He took much gold and brass from the temple of God for himself, men helping who also were wrong. Then he shut the doors of the temple, so no one could go there. That was a very great sin, for no one could go to make a sacrifice for sins or to praise God. Ahaz seemed to do the worst he could, and there is not one good thing said of him.
Yet it was to this sinful king that the most wonderful promise of One to save Israel was so plainly told, but which he did not seem to care to hear. He was told that a child would be born who should “refuse the evil and choose the good,” who would be called “Immanuel”. And we know that child was Jesus, the Christ, whom they were to look for (Isa. 7:1010Moreover the Lord spake again unto Ahaz, saying, (Isaiah 7:10); Matt. 1:2323Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. (Matthew 1:23)).
We know by these words given by God to the prophet and king, how willing God was to help and save this people, and to forgive sins. But King Ahaz did not seem to care for God’s Words.
Find the names of three prophets who lived in Jotham’s time (Isa. 1:11The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah. (Isaiah 1:1); Hosea,1:1; Mic. 1:11The word of the Lord that came to Micah the Morasthite in the days of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, which he saw concerning Samaria and Jerusalem. (Micah 1:1)).
ML 09/10/1939