The recent 2009 discovery of Hezekiah's bulla from his signet ring in the Jerusalem dig by archeology students of the Hebrew University, sent many scholars digging for more. Who was King Hezekiah? What was he cleaning up? When looking into the several passages of II Kings and II Chronicles, we find a young king that was ready to work to eradicate the changes his father had made in worship in the cities of Judah. King Ahaz, his father had brought Baal and Asherah worship to the streets of Jerusalem which included child sacrifice.
From II Kings chapter 16-- A sketch of the Baal and Asherah Altar was taken during a visit, to the King of Damascus in the eighth century B.C. by King Ahaz of Judah. Ahaz was the twelfth king of Judah, and fell into jealousy after seeing how well his neighbors were doing. He sent his sketch of the altar to his priest Uriah, with the command to create these new altars and install them on the street corners of Jerusalem. They would serve the people as the new form of worship, borrowed from the Canaanite religion of Baal worship, with his consort Asherah as the focus of praise and the burning of incense, and sacrifice of children.
Author Ronald Hendel argues the Asherah pole is a symbol of the goddess and is believed to be the mediator between the worshipper and Yahweh, where she becomes the "effective bestower of blessing"1
The Tel Rehov exhibition at the Land of Israel Museum in Tel Aviv displays this rectangular altar designed in the form of a gate. A tree incised on the facade and flanked by two female figures is thought to represent Asherah. The ritual chalice on the left was found next to it.
According to the sign in Israel Museum: "This exceptional figurine of a Canaanite fertility goddess depicts the goddess from both the interior and the exterior perspectives, as she prepares herself for the delivery of twins. The twins, seen within her womb, clutch at her breasts. The figurine may represent Asherah, called the "sacred prostitute" or the "one of the womb." According to myth, Asherah gave birth to the twin gods Shahar and Shalem. Symbols of Asherah, the sacred tree and ibex, appear on the goddess's thighs. The figurine was probably an amulet for women in childbirth."
The scriptures provide a clear example of the result of worshiping other gods in II Chronicles 28:22:
In his time of trouble King Ahaz became even more unfaithful to the LORD. He offered sacrifices to the gods of Damascus, who had defeated him; for he thought, "Since the gods of the kings of Aram have helped them, I will sacrifice to them so they will help me," But they were his downfall and the downfall of all Israel.
And Israel and Judah's downfall did come through conquering armies that took over two hundred thousand into captivity, for seventy years, until Darius King of Persia was moved by God to release the people and rebuild God's Temple in Jerusalem.
This biblical example stands as a sober reminder to believers that we must be vigilant to keep the worship of other gods and the false philosophies of man out of our lives. As we study the scriptures and seek guidance from the Holy Spirit, let us be found pure and blameless upon His return.
Examples such as these should give us great confidence in the truth and reliability of the scriptures. As we read passages from the Old Testament, we can be assured that God has protected His Word over the centuries for our sakes, and wants us to learn about the truth of our history.
"As iron sharpens iron, so one sharpens another,"
Proverbs 25:17
Thank you for sharing biblical knowledge, the Israel downfall, that reminds me to live with God closely and follow His will.
The Bible verse is Proverbs 27: 17. not Proverb 25. Thank you.
As iron sharpens iron, so one sharpens another,"
Proverbs 25:17