Theological
Commentary: Click Here
In 2 Kings
17 we have the fall of Israel. Israel
falls because they followed other gods and sacrificed to them. Let’s be clear about that. Yes, Israel was disobedient. But honestly, how many among us are not
disobedient to God. Even among those who
claim to love Him, how many of us are free from the effects of sin?
What the
people of Israel did that was wrong and that God didn’t forgive was that they
worshipped other gods and sacrificed to them.
That isn’t permission to be disobedient, but the reality is that God
will forgive our disobedience if we are in relationship with Him and
acknowledge our wrong. What God has an
issue with Israel’s actions is that they worshipped foreign gods and sacrificed
to them. That should be a lesson to us
all. Disobedience is forgiven with
repentance. Worship of other things
besides God is not.
That leads
us around to another neat understanding that I honestly don’t remember reading
in years past, although I am sure that I did.
Do you hear that the king of Assyria resettles the land? That’s not the new part. Do you hear that God sends lions to devour
the people because they don’t know Him?
That’s not the new part, either.
What is new
is that the priest of God that the king of Assyria sends among the settlers
offers them a deal. The priest becomes
an envoy from God and offers them protection.
He offers to rescue them from dangers if they will worship Him. He basically gives them the same offer that
He has given to the Hebrew people! Of
course, they don’t listen. But that
doesn’t change the point!
What’s neat
about this is that it shows us the nature of God’s love. God is willing to make His offer to
anyone. All we have to do is fear and
worship Him and not fear or worship other gods.
As we see in this passage, it doesn’t matter who we are or where we’ve
come from. God is willing to embrace us
if we simply choose to fear and worship Him.
It’s really that simple.
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