And he sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places, and on the hills, and under every green tree.
King Ahaz offered idolatrous sacrifices and burned incense at high-place shrines, on hills, and under every green tree. That worship stood together with walking in the ways of the kings of Israel, making molten images for Baalim, burning incense in the valley of Hinnom, and causing his son to pass through fire after the abominations of the heathen whom the Lord had cast out. His accession to the throne of Judah brought conditions more appalling than any that had existed before in the realm. His worship of heathen deities persuaded many who had formerly withstood idolatrous practices to take part in them. Under him princes proved untrue to their trust, false prophets arose with messages to lead astray, and even some of the priests taught for hire. Even while leading the apostasy, its leaders still kept up the forms of divine worship and claimed to be numbered among the people of God.
His reign proves literally true that leaders who cause the people to err destroy the way of their paths. In this sacrificing and burning incense the people forged for themselves fetters of bondage that no human power could break. This followed a course of disobedience continued for thousands of years. In His parable Christ holds up that history to the Jews and presents their future as the result of that course of action.
King Ahaz offered idolatrous sacrifices and burned incense at high-place shrines, on hills, and under every green tree. That worship stood together with walking in the ways of the kings of Israel, making molten images for Baalim, burning incense in the valley of Hinnom, and causing his son to pass through fire after the abominations of the heathen whom the Lord had cast out. His accession to the throne of Judah brought conditions more appalling than any that had existed before in the realm. His worship of heathen deities persuaded many who had formerly withstood idolatrous practices to take part in them. Under him princes proved untrue to their trust, false prophets arose with messages to lead astray, and even some of the priests taught for hire. Even while leading the apostasy, its leaders still kept up the forms of divine worship and claimed to be numbered among the people of God.
His reign proves literally true that leaders who cause the people to err destroy the way of their paths. In this sacrificing and burning incense the people forged for themselves fetters of bondage that no human power could break. This followed a course of disobedience continued for thousands of years. In His parable Christ holds up that history to the Jews and presents their future as the result of that course of action.