The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Kings — Section 276

was worse than useless. It was a /01,l and degrading worship. It le best described in the words of the third verse, "the abominations of the heathen." We can have bnt a faint conception of the loathsome practices associated with the worship of the pagan de1t1es. The pas~age before us speaks of one act of worship-by no means the worst, though sufficiently cruel and revolting. This was the worsnip or Moloch. In the valley of Hinnom, afterwards called Gehenna or Tophet, an image of Moloch wns e1;ected.. Dr. Thomson, in ' The Lann and the Book,' refers to the passage in ,le_rem1ah (_x1x.) where the valley of Hinnom is spoken of, and thinks, because it is said there that the image of Baal was there, that Moloch and Baal were one and the ~ame. At any rate, part of the '""orship of Moloch consisted in making children pass th~ough the fire before his image, or in actually burning them in it. The cries of the children were drowned by the sound of musical instruments and the shouts of the frenzied worshippers. It is to this that Milton refers wheu he says- " First, Moloch, horrid king, besmear'd with blood Of human sacrifice, and parents' tears; Though for the noise of drums and timbrels loud Their children's cries unheard, that pa.seed through fire To his grim idol" Such was the worship which Ahaz, in his infatuation and desire to be like the nations round ahont him, substituted for the spiritual, elevating worship of the great Father of us all. After all, was he much worse than many in modern times who profess to be so enlightened that they regard the Christian religion as a superstition? And what do they give us in place of it? A worship of dead matter, of blind force; of a mere supposition of their own minds. If Christianity be a superstition, what are some of the fancies of our philosophers? Before we give up our Christian religion, let us lmow what we are to have in place of ii,, Let us compare the results of Ohristianity with the results of any rival system, and how immeasurably superior to them all it stands, in the purity of its teaching, in the power it exercises to elevate and ennoble human life, a.nd in the blessings it has brought to the nations I How it alone lights up the darkness of the grave, and breathes into the bereaved heart the inspiration and comfort of the heavenly hope! This was the first dowtJward step in the career ,of Ahaz-forsaking the 'IJJOf"flhip of God. So many a man has begun the downward path. The empty seat in the house of God indicates often the beginning of o. useless and wasted life. Or if he comes to the house of God, he worships God in form only. His thoughts are far away. Self and the world, money and pleasure,-how often are these the idols men worship with the thoughts of their hearts and with all the efforts of their Ii ves ! JL THE NEXT STEP IN THE DOWNWARD PATH OF AHAZ WAB THE ALLIANCE HE E!.".l'ERED :U.'TO. (Vers. 5-7.) The Syrians made war on him along with the King of Israel. Ahaz, in his difficulty, sought the help of the King of Assyria. How humiliating is his entreaty! "I am thy servant and thy son," was the message he sent: "come up and save me out of the hand of the King of Syria, ~nd out of the hand of the King of Israel, which rise up against me." There was nothing wrong in itself in seeking the help of friendly kings. On this occasion, however, God absolutely warned Ahaz against seeking their help. But, to begin with, there was something wanting. Ahaz did not seek God's guidance in the matter. He did not seek God's help. He who had rejected the service of the living God, makes himself the cringing slave of the King of Assyria, and humbles himself to a heathen for help. What a mi8take when a nation trusts to its resources or its strong alliances, and forgets to look to that Divine power from whom all blessings flow! There may be uothing wrong in all our efforts to improve our worldly position, but there may be something wanting. There may be nothing wrong in your life, but there m:y be something wanting. You may be anxious to be useful in the world; but are you setting about it in the right way? One thing is needful, one thing is essential to all true happinesA, to all true UBefulness. '!'hat is the presence and help of God. Is the Lord Jesus dwelling in your heart? Whatever else may disappoint you, he will never fail. "When other helpers fail, and comforts flee, H~ of the helpleee, oh, abide with me I" OH. XVI. 1-20.] THE SECOND BOOK OF THE KINGS. 323