Book of 2 Kings - Chapter 16 - Verse 10

King Ahaz of Judah sought assistance from Tiglathpileser, the king of Assyria, when faced with threats from neighboring nations. While in Damascus, Ahaz saw an altar that intrigued him, and he decided to replicate its design back in Judah. Ahaz sent instructions to Urijah the priest, detailing the structure and pattern of the altar he had seen. This decision by Ahaz to emulate the altar he saw in Damascus is significant because it reflects his reliance on foreign powers and practices instead of fully trusting in God. By seeking inspiration from Assyrian culture, Ahaz demonstrated a lack of faith in the God of Israel and strayed further from the teachings of his forefathers. This act of replication ultimately led Judah down a path of idolatry and further estrangement from God.

In this verse, we see King Ahaz of Judah traveling to Damascus to meet Tiglathpileser, the king of Assyria. While there, he sees an altar and decides to replicate it. This act of copying an altar from a foreign land is significant in terms of theological interpretation. It demonstrates Ahaz's willingness to compromise his worship by adopting the practices of a pagan nation. Instead of remaining faithful to the God of Israel, Ahaz seeks to imitate the religious customs of the Assyrians. The word study of "altar" in this context reveals the importance of this structure in the ancient world as a place of sacrificial worship. By sending the design of the altar to Urijah the priest, Ahaz is essentially endorsing the inclusion of foreign religious practices in Judah, which goes against the commandments of God. This decision ultimately leads to further idolatry and disobedience among the people of Judah, highlighting the dangers of straying from true worship.