Immanuel Lutheran Church ~ Mankato, MN
Fall 2000 Bible Study
Lesson 10 — December 3, 2000

JOTHAM/ISRAEL’S END/AHAZ

2 Kings 15-17; 2 Chronicles 27-28

Chronology

Jotham

Read 2 Chronicles 27:1-9—

• Note the way the biblical account describes Jotham and his reign:
• "He did what was right in the sight of the Lord…he did not enter the temple" (Verse 2).
• "He built the Upper Gate…the wall of Ophel…cities…fortresses and towers" (Verses 3-4).
• "He also fought the king of the Ammonites and defeated them" (Verse 5).
• "Jotham became mighty, because he prepared his ways before the LORD his God." (Verse 6).
• Note the way the biblical account describes the people of Judah:
• "But still the people acted corruptly" (Verse 2).
• Discuss the following questions:
• What led to Jotham’s success as a king?
• Why is good leadership so important for a nation, a Christian congregation, and a family?
• Why will godly leadership always and only have a limited effect for good in this world?
• What was the result of the people’s corruption? (cf. 2 Kings 15:37).

Israel’s End

Read 2 Kings 17:1-18—

• Note the way the biblical account describes Hoshea, his reign, and Israel’s end:
• "And he (Hoshea) did evil in the sight of the LORD, but not as the kings of Israel who were before him" (Verse 2).
• "Hoshea became his (the king of Assyria) vassal…" (Verse 3).
• "The king of Assyria uncovered a conspiracy by Hoshea; for he had sent messengers to So, the king of Egypt" (Verse 4).
• "In the ninth year of Hoshea, the king of Assyria took Samaria and carried Israel away to Assyria" (Verse 6).
• Note the reasons the biblical account gives for Israel’s destruction:
• "…the children of Israel sinned against the LORD their God…and they feared other gods, and walked in the statutes of the nations whom the LORD had cast out…" (Verses 7-8).
• "…the children of Israel secretly did against the LORD their God things that were not right…they built for themselves high places…burned incense on all the high places…served idols" (Verses 9,11,12).
• "The LORD testified against Israel,…but (they) stiffened their necks…rejected His statutes and His covenant" (Verses 13-15).
• "They caused their sons and daughters to pass through the fire, practiced witchcraft and soothsaying…" (Verse 17).
• Discuss the following questions:
• What role and importance does "trust" have in our relationship with God?
• What role did a lack of "trust" have in Israel’s ultimate end?
• What role did the 1^st Commandment play in Israel’s end?
• How well are we as a nation, a congregation, and as individual families keeping the 1^st Commandment? What implications might this situation have for us?

Ahaz

Read 2 Chronicles 28:1-8—

• Note the way the biblical account describes Ahaz’ apostasy and God’s response:
• "He did not do what was right in the sight of the LORD…" (Verse 1).
• "He walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, and made molded images for the Baals… burned incense…burn his children in the fire…" (Verses 2-3).
• "The LORD his God delivered him into the hand of the king of Syria" (Verse 5).
• "Pekah the son of Remaliah (King of Israel) killed one hundred and twenty thousand… because they had forsaken the Lord God…" (Verse 6).
• "The children of Israel carried away captive of their brethren two hundred thousand women, sons, and daughters…" (Verse 8).
  It is interesting to note in 2 Chronicles 28:9-15 that the LORD's prophet, Obed, reprimanded the leaders of Israel for their cruelty and they were moved to return their captives, providing as well their humanitarian needs. Even in the midst of His judgments, God is often gracious hoping that individuals will repent and return to Him.

Read 2 Kings 15:7-15 and Isaiah 7:3-14—

• Note Ahaz’ unfortunate response to God chastisement in spite of Isaiah’s prophesy:
• "Ahaz sent messengers to Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria…took silver and gold that was found in the house of the LORD…and sent it as a present to the king of Assyria" (Verse 7).
• "Do not fear or be fainthearted…it shall not stand, nor shall it come to pass…If you do not believe, surely you shall not be established…Behold a virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel" (Verses 4,7,14).
• "King Ahaz…saw an altar that was at Damascus; and King Ahaz sent to Urijah the priest the design…he burned his burnt offering…on the altar" (Verses 10,13).

Read 2 Chronicles 28:19,22-25—

• Note the way the biblical account describes Ahaz’ continued apostasy and the LORD’s response:
• "The LORD brought Judah low because of Ahaz…for he had encouraged moral decline…" (Verse 19).
• "Now in the time of his distress King Ahaz became increasingly unfaithful…" (Verse 22).
• "Because the gods of the king of Syria help them, I will sacrifice to them that they may help me…but they were the ruin of him and of all Israel" (Verses 22-23).
• Discuss the following questions:
• How did Ahaz’ lack of faith affect his daily life?
• How can and does Satan blind individuals through unbelief? Consider the gods and religious practices Ahaz embraced.
• How does the messianic prophesy found in Isaiah 7:14 reveal that Christians ought always take a broad view of history when making present decisions affecting their everyday lives?

[PDN]