High Places
Might hurt some feelings with this one…
There are two major themes throughout Israel’s long history of Kings; those who did right in the eyes of the Lord and those who did what was evil. Throughout the book of 2 Kings, we’re introduced to dozens of kings, some of which honored the Lord and many that did not. In chapter 16 we’re introduced to perhaps the worst of all the kings, Ahaz.
2 Ahaz was twenty years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem sixteen years. Unlike David his father, he did not do what was right in the eyes of the Lord his God. 3 He followed the ways of the kings of Israel and even sacrificed his son in the fire, engaging in the detestable practices of the nations the Lord had driven out before the Israelites. 4 He offered sacrifices and burned incense at the high places, on the hilltops and under every spreading tree.” 2 Kings 16: 2-4 NIV
The high places in reference were altars of worship dedicated to the Baals and Asherot. The ‘detestable practices’ mentioned above involved child sacrifice, typically infants and also included the practice of bisexual orgies. There were many kings throughout Israel’s history that did not partake in these rituals but allowed them to still take place under their authority. Ahaz however, was an active participant, even sacrificing his own son by burning him alive.
It’s easy for us to read about Ahaz and wag our fingers, roll our eyes, and think about how much better we’re doing. But first let’s think about why some of these kings who had knowledge of the One True God still allowed this idol worship and even participated in it.
Theory #1
My first theory is most of these kings suffered from a “grass is greener” mentality of discontentment. They surely knew about the success of other larger, more powerful nations like the Assyrians or Babylonians and considered the gods that these nations served. When the kingdoms of Israel and Judah suffered tough times, these kings didn’t have the wisdom or resiliency to acknowledge that God may be testing them or perhaps disciplining them for sinful living. They instead looked around them and jumped ship to hedge their bets with the Baals. I believe King Ahaz falls into this first category. He didn’t immediately see the benefits of following God, so he took matters into his own hands. What an idiot, right? We would never do that! Not so fast…
When we face discomfort, we chase pleasure.
When we experience tough times, we search for what’s expedient.
Pursuing Christlikeness is hard and doesn’t yield immediate reward, so we bury ourselves in career, status, wealth, entertainment, relationships, etc.
Make no mistake, we’re still visiting the high places.
Theory #2
My second theory is in reference to a few of the “righteous kings” who followed God, but not completely. Some of Israel and Judah’s kings throughout history did what was right in God’s eyes, but they still left the high places intact and idol worship still took place. Close but no cigar. Surely the kings knew about these places but let them be. In all their “righteousness”, they stood idly by while children were sacrificed, and abominable acts were committed throughout their kingdom. Perhaps it was a political decision to not ruffle feathers or cause an uproar. Let’s call it what it is, cowardice. These guys were the human embodiment of, “I don’t personally agree with that decision, but I support your right to choose.” What a bunch of wussies, right? We would never do that! Not so fast…
This passivity is a little harder to name but it’s pervasive in American households. In most cases as a married man and father, your “kingdom” is your home. And there’s plenty of battles to fight in that arena. It’s anything in your life you feel uneasy about but refuse to intervene.
It’s following pop culture’s lead on how to raise your kids. It’s filling up every weekend - even Sundays, with travel sports. It’s not wanting to be the prude parents, and sending kids to sleepovers, knowing full well that nothing good or God-honoring ever takes place at a sleepover. It’s giving little Jimmy a smart phone at age 9 with free access to hardcore pornography just to keep up with the Jones’s.
These are the little battles a king must choose to fight. We feel great being the king and claiming that we’ve not committed any sin personally, meanwhile, great wickedness festers underneath our nose. The Lord has a word to describe a righteous man who yields to wickedness. Useless.
“Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain is a righteous man who gives way before wickedness.”
Proverbs 25:26
The truth is simple now as it was back then, when a man sidesteps his responsibility to destroy the evils in his kingdom or home, children get hurt and kingdoms fall.
Let’s be the generation that walks closely with God and stands boldly in the face of wickedness.
What are the high places in your life? What have you idolized? (This is typically where most of your time and money goes.)
Are there any convictions in your life you’ve ignored in order to not ruffle any feathers?
What areas of your kingdom (household) have you turned a blind eye to?
