2
Kings Chapter 15 provides a surface level history lesson on the next
succession of kings ruling over the divided nation of Israel. I
believe the underlying theme is how often pride keeps us from God’s
best. The
chapter begins, “Azariah
son of Amaziah king of Judah began to reign He was sixteen years old
when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem fifty-two years…
He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, just as his father
Amaziah had done… The high places, however, were not removed; the
people continued to offer sacrifices and burn incense there“.
This
phrase “As his fathers had done” is repeated many times. It
seems that our children have a tendency to follow our example. This
means our actions DO speak louder than our words! That is a scary
thought to us less than perfect parents. We
also learn, “The
Lord afflicted the king with leprosy until the day he died, and he
lived in a separate house“.
This shocking statement sounds so out of place. 2 Chronicles
chapter 26 provides the details about how the incredible
accomplishments of his reign. It also explains that the young king
arrogantly took on the role of the priest. “Pride
led to his downfall“.
We all recognize the pride that takes what is not deserved, but more
often, pride will keep us from accepting help. This attitude will
always us feeling isolated
During
the long reign in Judah, the Northern tribe of Israel was being run
more like the Mafia with a series of assassinations, bribes and
little attention to the law. “Zechariah
son of Jeroboam became king of Israel… he reigned six months. He
did evil in the eyes of the Lord, as his fathers had done“.
“Shallum…conspired
against Zechariah… assassinated him and succeeded him as king…
and he reigned in Samaria one month“.
“Then
Menahem son of Gadi… assassinated him and succeeded him as king…he
reigned in Samaria ten years… He did evil in the eyes of the Lord”.
“Pekahiah
son of Menahem became king of Israel… he reigned two years.
Pekahiah did evil in the eyes of the Lord. Pekah… conspired
against him… he assassinated Pekahiah… So Pekah killed Pekahiah
and succeeded him as king“.
People today see this cycle of corruption and are left with a feeling
of despair. They see no hope for change. Jesus promised “In
the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have
overcome the world”
(John 16:33). He asked His disciples a question each of us must
answer, “Do
you now believe?”
The
chapter ends with several of the tribes of Israel being taken into
captivity. “In
the time of Pekah king of Israel… the king of Assyria… took
Gilead and Galilee, including all the land of Naphtali, and deported
the people to Assyria“.
Isn’t that exactly what happens today when people refuse to accept
the authority of God in their life? Without Christ as our Lord, we
will become slaves to something. Do you feel overwhelmed? Isaiah
spoke these words concerning Jesus, “the
Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me
to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of
the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all
who mourn“.
Please do not let pride keep you from God’s best today.