“Moreover he burnt incense in the valley of the son of Hinnom, and burnt his children in the fire, after the abominations of the heathen whom the LORD had cast out before the children of Israel.”
(2 Chronicles 28:3)
The valley of the son of Hinnom became associated with some of the darkest sins committed in Judah. There, idolatrous worship led men to sacrifice their own children to the fire. What should have been a place of covenant faithfulness became a scene of cruelty, false worship, and rebellion against God. The history of that valley represents a dreadful image of the punishment reserved for the ungodly, the misery awaiting those who remain under the wrath of God.
This warning shows the absolute authority of God over both body and soul. Men can harm the body, threaten our security, or exercise cruelty for a time, but they do not hold final authority over human destiny. God alone has the power to judge the whole person. Therefore, the heart that regards God as holy, sovereign, and just becomes less controlled by human threats, opinions, and opposition.
Proper fear of such a God should keep believers from ever treating sin as insignificant because when we understand divine judgment, we clearly see the danger of continuing in sin under a sense of false security. The terror of the Lord urges us to repentance and a sincere turning from every way that leads away from Him.
At the same time, the doctrine of judgment and the misery awaiting condemnation magnifies the mercy enjoyed by those who have been delivered through Christ and makes salvation all the more precious. For when we truly realize the righteous sentence our sins deserve we are better able to rejoice in the grace that has rescued us.
The proper response to this warning for believers is to ask God for a holy fear that produces obedience, courage, sobriety, and joy in Christ. This kind of fear does not leave the soul trembling without hope but rather turns the heart away from sin, strengthens it against the fear of man, and directs it toward the Savior.[1] The same truth that awakens the careless comforts the godly, for those who belong to Christ have been delivered from condemnation and now may seek grace to walk in a holy manner before the God who has saved them.
Contemplations:
- Desiring a Holy Fear of God. I tend to be influenced by what others say, think, or do, while the holiness and authority of God remain distant in my thoughts. A holy fear would give proper weight to His commands and make obedience more important than human approval. It would not drive me away from Him, but cause me to approach Him with reverence and sincerity. I need God to impress on my heart that He alone has final authority over body and soul, so that the threats and opinions of men no longer govern what I do.
- Seeking Deliverance from Presumption. I may assume that all is well simply because no immediate consequence follows disobedience. But this passage teaches me not to build confidence on careless assumptions. I need God to protect me from presumption and to awaken my conscience wherever it has grown dull. Let the reality of judgment lead me to honest self-examination instead of despair, and make me willing to abandon every sin that I have excused, hidden, or treated as harmless.
- Rejoicing in Deliverance Through Christ. The terror of judgment makes the salvation of Christ appear more precious, for Christ saves his people completely from the wrath to come. I need a clearer sight of what His redemption has secured, so that gratitude, love, and obedience grow within me. The doctrine of judgment reminds me that there is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, so I need grace to value my Savior more highly and to live as one rescued from ruin by undeserved mercy.
- Asking for Courage Before Men. I often allow others’ opposition, criticism, or disapproval to weaken my obedience. I may remain silent when truth should be spoken or compromise when faithfulness becomes costly. Yet men possess only limited power, while God alone rules over the whole person and determines the final state of every soul. I need courage that grows out of reverence for Him. And I want His authority to strengthen me to resist pressure, remain faithful to his Word, and choose obedience even when others oppose or misunderstand me.
Prayer (Supplication):
Holy and sovereign God, give me a true and reverent fear of You. Impress on my heart Your absolute authority over body and soul, and teach me to regard Your judgment with seriousness.
Do not allow me to rest in empty hopes while neglecting repentance, holiness, and faith. Awaken my conscience where it has become dull, and show me every sin that I have excused or concealed. Give me grace to turn from it sincerely and without delay.
At the same time, preserve me from despair. Let the terror of judgment lead me to Christ, not away from Him. Help me see more clearly the greatness of the salvation He has accomplished for His people. Increase my joy in the mercy that delivers from condemnation, and make me thankful that Christ bore the curse due to sin.
Strengthen me against the fear of man. When others threaten, oppose, ridicule, or pressure me, let the fear of God govern my heart. Give me courage to obey your Word, confess the truth, and refuse every path of compromise. Make me more concerned with pleasing You than with protecting my reputation or comfort.
Keep me from every sin that leads toward destruction. And let the reality of judgment deepen my obedience and the grace of Christ fill that obedience with hope.
Save me from presumption, strengthen me in holiness, and keep me rejoicing in the deliverance Christ has secured.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Further Scripture References:
2 Chron. 33:6; Lev. 18:21; 2 Kings 23:10; Jer. 19:2
[1] Christopher Love, A Treatise on Hell’s Terror, eBook, (Coconut Creek, FL: Puritan Publications, 20212) Scope of the Text.
