2 Kings 16 verse 15 is a copy of what we do today in our churches and it ultimately leads to people who are not saved who think they are.
Ahaz was the son of Jotham (good) and next in line for King of Judah. However, Ahaz "did evil in the sight of the Lord" and even sacrificed his son to his gods. Uriah was the Prophet of God at this time
Uriah built Ahaz a new altar for sacrifice based on an alter in a pagan land, Assyria. Ahaz further changed it. Why?
"He took away the Sabbath canopy that had been built at the temple and removed the royal entryway outside the temple of the Lord, in deference to the king of Assyria."
Who was Ahaz trying to please? A 'non-member'? Tiglath-Pileser was the King of Assyria and Ahaz was trying to please the Assyrian King. Not THE KING, the king.
This is what we do today. We change our worship to please church members. We change our worship hoping the latest 'gimmick' will bring people in. We change our worship so we do not offend people in the pews.
This leads to destruction. This lead to Judah and Israel's destruction by way of being conquered and carried off to distant lands. The Israelites had a false sense of security during this time by appeasing others. It was short lived.
They were destroyed
2 Kings 17:23 "They were exiled to Assyria, and they are still there."
2 Kings 17:41 "Even while these people were worshiping the Lord, they were serving their idols. To this day, their children and grandchildren continue to do as their fathers did."
Who is worship for? It is for God. NOT for the non-Christian, not for 'recruiting tithers', not for anyone but God. Not even for the Christian.
Who worships God? The one who claims that Jesus is Lord and Savior. No one else can, or is allowed, to bring praise to God. God only hears one thing from the non-Christian and that is a prayer of repentance and complete submission to Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.
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