Many ancient heathen cultures practiced child sacrifice. When
ancient Israel and Judah forsook their God, child sacrifice occurred
there, too.
No doubt, ancient Israelite children were literally burned to death
as sacrifices to idols.
"Moreover he [King Ahaz] burnt incense in the valley of the son of
Hinnom, and burnt [Hebrew "ba`ar," meaning "consumed by flame"] 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
However, some children were likely "only" forced to walk through
flames, tossed through flames, or passed over the flames as a
dedication to these idols. It is likely that King Hezekiah [Ahaz'
son] experienced this but apparently suffered no lasting physical
effects.
One of those idols to whom children were sacrificed was Moloch [or
Molech].
According to commentaries, Moloch was a huge bronze statue with the
head of a bull. It was likely an Ammonite idol that the Israelites
embraced in 8th to 6th century BC. Their children were "passed
through the fire" in the Valley of Hinnom or Gehenna, synonymous
with Hell.
God made it clear that this barbarism was not to take place:
"And thou shalt not let any of thy seed [sons or daughters] pass through the fire to Molech, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I am the Lord." Leviticus 18:21
This utter depravity and God's commands concerning it were
recorded by God as part of the ancient historical record in the
Bible. These things were also recorded as a warning to future
generations.
These ancient peoples had held a dark philosophy to which they
offered their children to die in places such as Gehenna. Multitudes
of innocent children were destroyed for a lie. And God's people
often did nothing to stop this. Worse, many participated. Sincerely,
these ancient peoples believed that doing this barbarism was best
for their families and society.
Many nations of today's world have philosophies to which they offer
their children to die, as well--in places such as abortion clinics
and hospitals. Estimates are that one in three American children
have been offered. Two in three African-American children. One in
five British children. And in Russia, every young woman
statistically has had three abortions. Multitudes of innocent
children are being destroyed for a lie. And, sadly, God's people
have done far too little. Worse, many who wear the name "Christian"
have participated. Entire denominations have claimed that doing this
was best for families and society.
The ancients gave their children to a huge bronze statue with the
head of a bull: a malevolent god. Children were passed through the
flames to become like this "Moloch."
Spiritually significant, the meaning of "Moloch" is "king" or an autonomous decision-maker, i.e. someone who refused to obey any other authority.
Today, people--including Christians--too often sacrifice their children to the god of this world. They pass their children through the flames of public education, anti-Christ philosophies, or ungodly entertainment. They do so that their children might become autonomous decision-makers, i.e. those who refuse all other authority in their lives. Deceived parents see this as maturity and a prized individualism. Very sadly, though, one of those authorities they soon disdain, whether by words or behavior, is the God who made them.