Day 28: II Kings 15:27 - 25:30

Today's reading wraps up the book of II Kings and the stories of the kings of Israel and Judah. There are a couple bright spots here, but for the most part every king does evil in the eyes of the Lord and disobeys the Law. By the end of the book both Israel and Judah have been taken into exile in foreign lands as the Law foretold.

Israel is first to go. The king of Assyria come and attacks Israel. He deports all the Israelites to Assyria and resettles the land. This takes place as a consequence for their sin. They did not follow the Law that the Lord had given them. They worshiped other gods and followed the practices of the nations that the Lord had driven out before them. The Lord gave them many chances to turn back to Him through the prophets, but they would not listen.

I mentioned in my last post how strange it was that even the kings that did serve the Lord didn't take down the high places. When Hezekiah becomes king in Judah, he removes the high places. He was king in Judah when Israel went into exile. He followed the Lord and served Him.

So Judah had a few good years with Hezekiah as king. But Hezekiah's son, Manasseh does evil in the eyes of the Lord and rebuilds the high places. He sacrifices to Baal and makes an Asherah pole. He builds additional altars in the temple of the Lord to other gods. He's really, really bad. So is his son.

The next king of Judah is a boy names Josiah. He becomes king at 8 years old. When he's 26, they find the Book of the Law in the temple. When Josiah hears the Book of the Law, he tears his clothes and weeps. He sends someone to inquire of the prophet, Huldah, about what is written in the Book of the Law for the Lord's anger must be great. She tells him that the Lord says that He will bring abut disaster on Judah and its inhabitants according to what is written in the Book of the Law. But because Josiah's heart was responsive and he wept when he heard the Law, the Lord will not bring about this disaster in his lifetime.

So Josiah renews the covenant with the people. He purges Judah of the idols, destroys all the alters to other gods, and desecrates the high places. He turns to the Lord with all his heart.

But Josiah's son apparently didn't learn anything from his father. When Josiah's son becomes king, he does evil in the eyes of the Lord. As do the next two kings after him.

Finally the book ends with Nebuchadnezzar conquering Judah, and taking them into exile in Babylon.

There are a couple things that really sick out to me through this era in Israel's history. The first one is God's incredible patience. He promised them in the Law that if they disobeyed, served other gods, and did not follow Him with all their hearts that He would punish them and drive them into exile. But He gave them so many chances to turn back. He waited a long time before driving them into exile. Our conclusion after reading the books of Samuel and Kings has to be that God is compassionate, patient, and just.

The second thing that sticks out is the hardheartedness of the people. I was thinking about this the other day about how it was even possible for them to forsake worshiping the Lord, who brought them out of Egypt with His mighty hand, and serve false inanimate idols. How could they do that?

But then I started to think about the things that distract me from serving the Lord. Sure, I don't sacrifice to Baal or build up an Asherah pole in my back yard. But I do waste a lot of time that I could otherwise give to the Lord or to serving others. At times, I do rely upon things other than the Lord for comfort or security. How many times do I place my trust or find my worth in other things by my actions and my thoughts? In all actuality, I'm really not that different from the Israelites.

So the question I should be asking isn't how could the Israelites turn away from the Lord and become distracted by all these other gods and idols. The question is, will I be like them and allow other distractions gradually turn my heart from the Lord? Or will I serve Him and follow Him wholeheartedly? I'm shooting for the latter. What about you?

Tomorrow's reading is I Chronicles 1:1 through 9:14.

Peace.