DO NOT IMITATE OR FOLLOW THE WRONG PEOPLE

PROCLAMATION

“In the seventeenth year of Pekah son of Remaliah, Ahaz son of Jotham king of Judah began to reign.  Ahaz was twenty years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem sixteen years.  Unlike David his father, he did not do what was right in the eyes of The Lord his God.”  2 Kings 16:1-2 (NIV)

EXPLANATION

While the kings of Israel in the northern section were doing evil in the eyes of The Lord, the kings of Judah in the southern section were doing that which was right in the eyes of The Lord until Ahaz became king.  Ahaz king of Judah followed the ways of the kings of Israel.  He even sacrificed his son in the fire and engaged in the detestable practices of the nations which The Lord had driven out from among the Israelites. (2 Kings 16:3) 

APPLICATION

There is a price to pay for doing that which is evil in the eyes of The Lord.  Just because our leaders are doing wrong does not mean that we have to follow in their footsteps.  We do not need to imitate or follow someone who is doing wrong.  We need to do that which is right in the eyes of The Lord.  Jesus, The Christ, told his disciples to: “Follow me.” (Matthew 4:19 and Matthew 16:24)  Today as believers we are His disciples and we should be following His example.  We should not be imitating or following the sinful people of the world.