The Reign of Wicked King Ahaz

The end of the northern kingdom is drawing near with the events recorded in chapter sixteen. This chapter is taken up with the reign of Ahaz. He was a man privileged by God to have a godly father and grandfather, as well as the prophetic ministry of Isaiah. Even so, he was one of the most ungodly kings of Israel. He spent the first four years of his twenty year reign as co-regent with his father and the final sixteen alone on the throne.

Israel was hitting bottom spiritually and judgment becoming a necessity. Child sacrifice was being practiced as part of the deteriorating apostasy to total paganism.

The southern kingdom isn't doing any better as they are on the same downward spiral. As such, they too received warnings of coming judgment from the prophet Isaiah during this time.

The tragedy of rejecting the grace of God is evident yet again in Israel's history as they rejected the one true God, turning aside to gods of their own creation. The worst is yet to come for them as a nation before the best that will come in fulfillment of God's promises.