2 Kings 17 -- What A Shame

What a sad chapter!  Hoshea had assassinated Pekah and had managed to hold onto power for nine years, but seeing that Israel couldn't continue making the tribute payments to Assyria, he tried to make an alliance with Egypt -- something God had forbidden.  When Assyria found out, they attacked Israel, took over the land, and deported the people to Assyria, moving other conquered people in to inhabit the land and use it.  Their stiff necks and hardened hearts had cost them everything.

My commentary explained God's wrath toward them:  "The anger of the Lord is His holy wrath; it must not be compared to a child's temper tantrum.  The Lord was longsuffering toward His people and made ample provision to bring them back to Himself, but they refused.  God's wrath is anger motivated by love, which is anguish.  It's the anguish of a father who wants the best for his children, but they prefer to go their own way."

"The people continued to worship the Lord along with the other gods, and they did it their own way ... Like many professed Christians today, the people of Israel worshiped the Lord where and how they pleased, but they also paid respect to the false gods of the other nations ... The main message from this tragic chapter is that false worship leads to corrupt practices, and corrupt practices result in divine condemnation and judgment."

Father God, examine my heart and show me if there is anything within me that worships anyone or anything other than You.  Root it out of my heart and life and keep me solely devoted to You.

 

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford