Thursday, January 21
Read Isaiah 8:16-22. What is it talking about? What has this to do with King Ahaz? Summarize the ideas.
Ahaz was deeply involved in pagan religion (2 Kings 16:3, 4, 10-15; 2 Chronicles 28:2-4, 23-25), which was heavily interconnected with the occult (compare Deuteronomy 32:17; “They sacrificed unto devils”, 1 Corinthians 10:20). Various aspects of modern witchcraft have striking parallels in ancient Near Eastern rituals, as witnessed by ancient writings outside the Bible. Indeed, even many of today’s New Age practices are simply contemporary manifestations of these ancient occult practices.
Isaiah’s description of despair resulting from reliance on spirits other than the Lord (Isaiah 8:21, 22) fits Ahaz well (compare 2 Chronicles 28:22, 23). Isaiah refers to people becoming enraged and cursing their king (Isaiah’s 8:21). This would warn Ahaz that because he led the people into the occult, they would curse him. In fact, when Ahaz died, an exception was made regarding his burial due to lack of respect for him: “they brought him not into the sepulchres of the kings of Israel” (2 Chronicles 28:27).
What do these texts say about the occult? Leviticus 20:27, Deuteronomy 18:9-14.
Separation from the occult is a matter of loyalty to God. First Chronicles 10:13, 14 applies this principle to the case of King Saul: “So Saul died for his transgression which he committed against the Lord, even against the word of the Lord, which he kept not, and also for asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit, to inquire of it; And inquired not of the Lord: therefore he slew him, and turned the kingdom unto David the son of Jesse”.
Look around at your own life, at the influences around you. In what subtle ways are you exposed to the principles behind the occult and various manifestations of spiritualism? And even if you can’t totally avoid them, what can you do to minimize their influence upon you, or your family?
