Reading for January 8th

 Read 2 Kings 16.1-20. In 16.1-20: The reign of Ahaz. In verse 3: Making his son pass through fire is a reference to child sacrifice (see 3.27). In verse 5: This verse refers to the "Syro-Ephraimitic crisis" of 734 BCE. See comments on 15.37. The oracle of Isaiah is Isa 7 is directed to this situation. In verse 6: Judah's problems with Syria and Israel weakened its hold on Elath (see 14.22), and the Edomites took advantage. In verses 7-9: These verses continue with the Syro-Ephraimatic crisis. According to Isa 7, Isaiah counseled Ahaz against seeking the help of the Assyrians. These verses indicate that Ahaz chose to ignore that advice and purchased the aid of Tiglath-pileser against Syria and Israel. This placed Judah in a subject relationship to Assyria that would be the source of future problems. Kir is the place of the Syrians' origin, according to Am 9.7. It is also mentioned as the place of Syrian exile in Am 1.5. It is obviously in Mesopotamia though its exact location is unknown. In verses 10-16: This story is apparently meant as condemnation of Ahaz to illustrate his importation of foreign elements into the worship of the Lord. It maybe, however, that Ahaz intended the new altar to honor the Lord. Uriah the priest is likely the same figure mentioned in Isa 8.2. Ahaz was forced to remove some of the bronze from the temple in order to make his payment of tribute to the Assyrian king. For descriptions of the bronze oxen under the sea and laver stand see 1 Kings 7.23-27. The meaning and nature of the covered portal for use on the sabbath (v. 18) is uncertain.  Comments or Questions..