April 2 - II Kings 13-15
As we read through II Kings, it is evident that God intended for this to be a summary of the history of Israel and Judah. There are a few details, but mostly it is general information to show us the pattern of behavior that led to the fall of both countries. God is trying to bless them, because he is being faithful to His covenant, which began with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. (13:23) God could have simply destroyed them for their sin, but it was not His will to blot them out. He was punishing their sin in an effort to draw both of the countries back to Him. However, neither country returned to Him fully.
The Bible says most of the kings of Judah did right like David, but they continued to allow people to worship on the "high places." These places were pagan worship sites, which were converted to the worship of God. They were more convenient than the Temple, but God had said to only offer sacrifices to Him in the Temple. Therefore, the people and the kings were sinning, because they put convenience ahead of God's word. This still happens a lot today. God had to punish them, and He has to punish us today for these sins of convenience.
The Bible says the kings of Israel did wrong like Jeroboam. They led the people to worship the idols, which Jeroboam had set up to keep the people from going back to the Temple in Jerusalem. This sin was clearly rebellion against the ten commandments. It led the people to forsake God's word. Even though they had prophets like Elisha, and God worked miracles like the raising of the dead man by the bones of Elisha, they would not turn back to God completely because they had a wrong attitude toward God's word. They thought they could reject any part they did not want and make up something to replace it. This attitude is still evident today. God has to punish this attitude, even though He wants to bless His people.
Therefore, we read of the kings praying and trying to follow God's word at times, but the general path was away from God. The compromises in both countries were leading people away from complete faith in God. We must not allow this attitude to fill us or our churches. We must say yes to all that God says to us and not change it for convenience or because of rebellion. Then, God can fully bless us.
Tomorrow, I intend to read II Kings 16-18.
The Bible says most of the kings of Judah did right like David, but they continued to allow people to worship on the "high places." These places were pagan worship sites, which were converted to the worship of God. They were more convenient than the Temple, but God had said to only offer sacrifices to Him in the Temple. Therefore, the people and the kings were sinning, because they put convenience ahead of God's word. This still happens a lot today. God had to punish them, and He has to punish us today for these sins of convenience.
The Bible says the kings of Israel did wrong like Jeroboam. They led the people to worship the idols, which Jeroboam had set up to keep the people from going back to the Temple in Jerusalem. This sin was clearly rebellion against the ten commandments. It led the people to forsake God's word. Even though they had prophets like Elisha, and God worked miracles like the raising of the dead man by the bones of Elisha, they would not turn back to God completely because they had a wrong attitude toward God's word. They thought they could reject any part they did not want and make up something to replace it. This attitude is still evident today. God has to punish this attitude, even though He wants to bless His people.
Therefore, we read of the kings praying and trying to follow God's word at times, but the general path was away from God. The compromises in both countries were leading people away from complete faith in God. We must not allow this attitude to fill us or our churches. We must say yes to all that God says to us and not change it for convenience or because of rebellion. Then, God can fully bless us.
Tomorrow, I intend to read II Kings 16-18.