Jehovah Immanuel had cause to be greatly displeased at Ahaziah’s impiety. What had Christ not done to win the hearts of sinners and to inspire them with unwavering confidence in Himself? For ages He had visited His people with manifestations of the most condescending kindness and unexampled love. From the times of the patriarchs He had shown how His “delights were with the sons of men.” He had been a very present help to all who sought Him in sincerity. “In all their affliction He was afflicted, and the angel of His presence saved them: in His love and in His pity He redeemed them.” Yet Israel had revolted from God and turned for help to the Lord’s worst enemy. {5T 195.3}

Jehova Immanuel havde grund til at nære stærkt mishag over Ahazjas ugudelighed. Hvad havde Kristus ikke gjort for at vinde synderes hjerter og for at give dem urokkelig tillid til ham? Gennem århundreder havde han besøgt sit folk med tilkendegivelser af enestående miskundhed og uhørt kærlighed. Fra patriarkernes tid havde han vist, hvordan hans »lyst var hos menneskenes børn«. Han havde været meget nær med hjælp til alle, der søgte ham i oprigtighed. »I al deres trængsel var han i trængsel og (196) hans åsyns engel frelste dem. I sin kærlighed og i sin forbarmelse genløste han dem.« Men Israel havde vendt sig bort fra Gud og søgte hjælp hos Herrens værste fjender.