2 Kings

2 Kings 17:1-6

Hoshea became king of Israel and reigned 9 years.  He did evil but apparently not to the extent of those before (a nice way of saying he stunk, just not as bad as others).  When Assyria came against Israel, Hosea capitulated.  Instead of resisting and waring against Assyriah, Hoshea handed the nation over to Shalmaneser, king of Assyria.  Hoshea began paying tribute to Assyria but in time he stopped and used the tribute money to try to hire Egypt to fight with him.  When Shalmaneser found this out he besieged Samaria for 3 years.  He finally captured Hosea and Samaria and carried them away into exile.  This ended the northern kingdom.  They also deported 27,290. 

2 Kings 17:7-23

This passage of scripture tells us a brief history of the northern Kingdom and why this judgment fell on them.  In the simplest terms, the people turned from God, feared other gods; they sinned against God.  The sons of Israel did things secretly which were not right against the Lord their God.  They at least throught what they were doing was done in secret; they thought God wasn't watching or didn't care.  They chased idols and became idolaters; they chased vanity and became vain.  They turned against their God and worshiped the gods of the land.  They practiced all kinds of evil; even sacrificing their children in the fire; as well as divination and enchantment. 

The people separated themselves from God, so God separated them from His land and His blessings.  It took this loss before their eyes were opened to their ways. 

2 Kings 17:24-

The Assyrians possessed Samaria and populated the land with other people and other cultures.  They didn't fear the Lord and so He sent lions among them.  These people didn't know the God of Israel.  So the Assyrians sent for one of the captive priest of Israel to be brought back so he could teach them.  They understood that they should fear the Lord, yet they served their own gods.  It's fascinating how mankind can consistently across time arrive at that same conclusions; yes He is God almighty, but we'll go ahead and make our own god in our image and worship it.  Why?  Because it makes happy!  It keeps us busy and discracts from the bigger issues.

©2016 Doug Ford