Gloom of the Ungrateful Living Dead (Isa. 8:16–22)
Read the above passage. What is it talking about? What has this to do with King Ahaz? Summarize the ideas.
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Ahaz was deeply involved in pagan religion (2 Kings 16:3, 4, 10–15;
2 Chron. 28:2–4, 23–25), which was heavily interconnected with the
occult (compare Deut. 32:17, NRSV; “They sacrifice to demons,” 1 Cor.
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 (Isa. 8:21, 22) fits Ahaz well (compare 2 Chron. 28:22,
23). Isaiah refers to people becoming enraged and cursing their king
(Isa. 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 did not bring him into the tombs of the kings of Israel” (2 Chron. 28:27, NRSV).
What do these texts say about the occult? (Lev. 20:27, Deut. 18:9–14.)
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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 unfaithfulness; he was unfaithful to the Lord in that he did not
keep the command of the Lord; moreover, he had consulted a medium,
seeking guidance, and did not seek guidance from the Lord. Therefore
the Lord put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David son
of Jesse” (NRSV).
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?
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