2 Chronicles 28:1
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.
Senator Tito Sotto’s name linked to plagiarism hit a second time
this week. His controversial speech against the Reproductive Health bill was
found to be an exact translation of Robert Kennedy’s 1966 speech. Before this,
he was already on hot seat for copying from a US-based blogger without
attribution. But what is disturbing in both instances is that he never saw it as
wrong. He even considered himself as cyber-bullied. To his detractors, he demanded answers to population
control and abortion issues. But to the Filipino people, his excuses to
plagiarism are wanting. He may continue
to ignore the ethical argument here, but will it make him right?
The first verse in King Ahaz’ account says ‘he did not do what was
right in the eyes of the Lord’. By implication, we can say that all he did was
what was good in his eyes and maybe everyone else. He indulged in idolatry, copying
the kings of Israel; he sacrificed his sons in the fire following the ways
of the nations around him; and, he was unfaithful to the Lord as the rest of
Judah were. At one point, he even offered to the gods who defeated them, for he
thought, ‘Since the gods of Aram helped them, I will sacrifice to them so they
will help me.’ It seemed right, looked
right, many-said right, in-Aram’s-record right, even felt alright - - but
because it wasn’t God-right, he was wrong. Sadly, in God’s time to execute His
justice, he became even more unfaithful. Unlike King David who readily repented
at first rebuke, Ahaz himself shut the Lord’s temple doors as his last resort.
Senator Sotto argued there was no law against plagiarism. His lawyers
were obviously on his side. What surprised me was Senate President Enrile’s defense
that many views on earth were also copies from others. Even the word ‘democracy’. Shall
we take their word for it? BUT shall we also rally to the other side because the
Netizens are in and ‘we feel smart already’ by sharing their ground? Have we
even once asked what God really has to say about this? Don’t you think it falls
under the ‘Do not steal’ and ‘Love One Another’ commandments? And why do you
think God’s anger burn against idolatry and ungratefulness? Isn’t it because He
was robbed the glory due His? In His eyes, we’re all guilty here. Now will we do
what is God-right?
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