2 Kings 16:1-20

Perhaps the sin of Judah had its most awful expression during the reign of Ahaz. The king first sought help from the Assyrians under Tiglathpileser in his time of difficulty, and this was by deliberately placing his neck under the yoke when he said, "I am thy servant and thy son."

This was followed by the awful blasphemy of setting up a heathen altar in the actual courts of the Temple of God. It would seem as though the light of truth were absolutely extinguished. It was not so, however, for it is likely that throughout the whole reigns of Jotham and Ahaz, Isaiah was uttering his message, and that during the reign of Ahaz Micah also was delivering the word of God. So far as the nation or its kings were concerned, the testimony of truth was indeed lost, and the very name of God was being blasphemed among the heathen.