It would not really be fair to leave this verse without a mention of Asherah.
These were poles that were erected in the high places to the Semitic goddess Asherah.
This goddess was worshipped throughout the Hebrew and Arabic speaking nations of the time. She was reported as to walk on water, to be the God of serpents, and to be the consort of Yahweh, amongst other things. The pole was a tree deprived of its boughs and rudely shaped into an image.
The Greek word for crucified is pronounced “stauros” and means “impaled on a stake or a pole”.
As I am writing this it makes me think how today thousands of years later often the devil comes into our life with an element of the truth. He knows that outright lies will not usually deceive us. But when he mixes in an element of the truth……..
In the temptations that Jesus faced (Matthew 4:3-11) the devil comes with a seed of doubt “if you are the son of God” and elements of the truth, using scriptures from Psalm 91:11-12. Remember the garden of Eden “Did God actually say…..” (Gen 3:1)
What areas of my life have some element of truth about them but are maybe not God’s best for me? That’s a great question that I can ask myself this morning.
These practices had incrementally moved into the nation of Judah’s thinking and actions, over many years, seeming even right to some.
Repentance is really at the heart of Christianity, and what Hezekiah is doing in a national way in these first few scriptures is leading the nation in the first heartfelt acts of repentance. Ridding himself and his countrymen of everything that is leading them away from having their focus on God and their heart towards Him..
My lesson from this scripture today for me is – When we are focused on God my prayer is “use me?”, when my eyes come off God my prayer becomes “what about me?”.
Blessings
Allan
Principle 7 – keeping our eyes on Jesus is a daily choice.
Strengths – Focus: People exceptionally talented in the Focus theme can take a direction, follow-through, and make the corrections necessary to stay on track. They prioritize, then act.