2 Kings 17 summary
Israel, now stripped of the fertile lands of Galilee and Gilead, is ruled by Hoshea. Hoshea decides to stop his regular payments of tribute to Assyria, and tries to arrange for help from Egypt (17:1–4). This foolish act brings an Assyrian army down on Israel. Samaria is besieged and finally captured, and the remaining Israelites are deported (vv. 5–6).
At this point the writer incorporates an extensive sermon explaining the fall of Israel in theological terms. The ultimate cause of Israel’s downfall is not to be found in world politics, but in Israel’s adoption of Canaanite religious practices (vv. 7–18), and in the corruption of the Law introduced by Jeroboam at the founding of the Northern Kingdom and persisted in by Israel ever since (vv. 19–23). As for the Holy Land, the Assyrians resettled it with pagans. These peoples, who simply added Yahweh to their list of deities to be worshiped (vv. 24–41), were the ancestors of the Samaritans, so hated by the Jews of Jesus’ day. Richards, L. O. (1991; Published in electronic form by Logos Research Systems, 1996). The Bible readers companion (electronic ed.) (254). Wheaton: Victor Books.
We can say the same thing about the United States, we can say the same thing about the church in the United States, but the church and the United States will not be changed until I say it about me and confess it and you say it about you and confess it. Idolatry is rampant in our land. The Apostle Paul would have the same problem in our churches today that he had in Athens. Paul would be run out of our churches and we would be looking for ways to shut him down.
What was their great evil? Their evil was horrific, but the heart issue is simply that They pursued worthless idols and became worthless themselves!
2 Kings 17:7 ⌊This disaster⌋ happened because the people of Israel had sinned against the Lord their God who had brought them out of the land of Egypt from the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt and because they had worshiped other gods.
2 Ki 17:13-17 Still, the Lord warned Israel and Judah through every prophet and every seer, saying, “Turn from your evil ways and keep My commandments and statutes according to all the law I commanded your ancestors and sent to you through My servants the prophets.” 14 But they would not listen. Instead, they became obstinate like their ancestors who did not believe the Lord their God. 15 They rejected His statutes and His covenant He had made with their ancestors and the warnings He had given them. They pursued worthless idols and became worthless themselves, following the surrounding nations the Lord had commanded them not to imitate. 16 They abandoned all the commandments of the Lord their God. They made for themselves molded images—even two calves —and an Asherah pole. They worshiped the whole heavenly host and served Baal. 17 They made their sons and daughters pass through the fire and practiced divination and interpreted omens. They devoted themselves to do what was evil in the Lord’s sight and provoked Him.
We see this again in Jeremiah 2:5 "Here is what the Lord says: What fault did your fathers find in Me that they went so far from Me, followed worthless idols, and became worthless themselves?" If that is not enough it is repeated in Psalm 115:8 "Those who make them are just like them, as are all who trust in them." We hear similar words from Paul in Romans 1:21 "For though they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God or show gratitude. Instead, their thinking became nonsense, and their senseless minds were darkened." In Romans 1 we repeatedly hear that they "exchanged the glory of God" for something less...every time exchange the glory of God, God allows us to have our way...it is our choice, however, the choice has horrific consequences...HE give us over! If we want idols and sin HE will give us over to it...you and I would be wise to remember that the "wages of sin is death."
We are free to pursue idols, but it is the most insane thing a person can do...and yet there is not one of us that is not guilty! "For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God."
I love what Paul says in Acts 20:24, 26-28 "But I count my life of no value to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of God’s grace." Think about some of Jesus words...my food is to do the will of Him who sent Me...and on the Cross, "IT IS FINISHED."
EACH CHILD OF GOD HAS RECEIVED A MINISTRY AND A COURSE TO RUN...HAVE YOU STARTED THE RACE? ARE YOU IN THE RACE? WILL YOU FINISH THE RACE?
HOW AMAZING FOR PAUL TO BE ABLE TO SAY IN VERSE 26 "Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of everyone’s blood, 27 for I did not shrink back from declaring to you the whole plan of God."
In verse 28 we have a clear statement that Jesus is God and that God shed HIS own blood for HIS OWN! "Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among whom the Holy Spirit has appointed you as overseers, to shepherd the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood."
Glory be to God who has called us out of darkness into HIS marvelous light...thank you Jesus!
love,
m