Corruption of Israel – 2 Kings

2 Kings starts with Elisha succeeding Elijah. Elijah trained Elisha as his successor. Elisha’s ministry lasted 50 years. Most of the miracles which God did through him were deeds of kindness and mercy.

2 Kings 1 to 7 talks about the corruption of Israel. Jeroboam, the ruler of Israel, the Northern Kingdom, made Shechem his capital. It was the center of the land. It was the custom, according to the law, to go up to Jerusalem regularly to worship (Deuteronomy 12:11,14; 16:6,15,16; 1 Samuel 1:3,7). Jeroboam was afraid to have the 10 tribe’s journey to Jerusalem, the capital of Judah, Rehoboam’s kingdom, to worship God. So he made two golden calves and placed them in convenient spots – Bethel and Dan in the northern end of the kingdom, so people would not have to go to Jerusalem. For more than 20 times we see his name mentioned as “Jeroboam, the son of Nebat, who caused Israel to sin”. It shows us to beware of man-made religion. After 200 years, the people were carried into captivity by the king of Assyria (2 kings 17). Many of God’s prophets had warned Israel of captivity, but they would not turn from their idolatry to Jehovah.

For 80 years there was continuous war between them. Then there was a period of 80 years of peace between these two kingdoms following the marriage of the son of Jehoshaphat (Judah) to the daughter of Ahab (Israel). In Judea (southern kingdom), there was only one dynasty (David) from King Rehoboam to Zedekiah. The great prophets of that day were Nathan, Isaiah, Micah, Jeremiah, Joel and Zephaniah.

About 136 years after the Northern kingdom (Israel) had been taken into captivity by Assyria, the Southern Kingdom (Judah) was taken captive by Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon. Jerusalem was destroyed, the Temple burned and the princes led away. It is because the people had forgotten God and refused to listen to the warnings of the prophets.

There is a great difference between the fall of Israel and Judah. Israel was scattered throughout the nations for an indefinite period, but God specified the length of Judah’s captivity to seventy years. Judah was to return to Jerusalem, which happened later. The Messiah was to come out to Judah and God was preparing the way for him to come there and not to Babylon or Assyria. God was using even the rulers of foreign nations to work out His plan.

The history of Jews is a record of Gods dealings with disobedient children. In all punishment, He is kind and merciful for He loves them still. As new Israel, we the people in Christ needs to learn from the mistakes these people did against God by being obedient to Him and live a life that pleases Him.

The BOOK – The Captivity

In 2 Kings, we see continuous war between the Southern Kingdom and the Northern Kingdom. 2Kings 13-35, we see 80 years of continuous war, but these wars failed. After that there was peace because of the marriage of the son of Jehoshaphat (Southern king) and the daughter of Ahab (Northern king). 

In the southern kingdom, there was only one dynasty – Davidic from King Rehoboam to Zedekiah. The great prophets of those days were Nathan, Isaiah, Micah, Jeremiah, Joel and Zephaniah. About 136 years after the Northern kingdom had been taken into captivity by Assyria, the southern kingdom was taken captive by Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon. Jerusalem was destroyed and the temple was burned. 

The history of the Jews is a record of God’s dealings with disobedient children. The moving figures and powerful factors of those days were the prophets Elijah and Elisha. 

Elijah was a bolt of fire God let loose upon wicked Ahab and idolatrous Israel. Jehovah sent him to do away with the awful worship of Baal during the reign of Ahab who had married the wicked foreign princess, Jezebel. Suddenly emerging from the desert and standing before the corrupt king in the splendour of his court, the stern prophet boldly said, “As the Lord, the God of Israel, lives, whom I serve, there will be neither dew nor rain in the next few years except my word” (1Kings 17:1). He was given power to shut up the heavens so there would be no rain for three and a half years. He called down fire from heaven before the prophets of Baal at Mount Carmel. 

Elisha succeed Elijah. Elijah trained Elisha as his successor. Elisha’s ministry lasted 50 years and most of his miracles were deeds of kindness and mercy. Elisha had a great influence upon the kings of the day, and although he did not approve of what they did, he was always coming to their rescue.

There is a great difference between the fall of Israel and Judah. Israel was scattered throughout the nations for an indefinite period, but God specified the length of Judah’s captivity to 70 years. Judah was to return to Jerusalem, which they did later. The messiah was to come out of Judah and God was preparing the way for him to come there and not to Babylon or Assyria. God was using even the rulers of foreign nations to work out his plan.

God will have plans for everyone. But it the decision we take which leads us to go forward in our life to fulfill his plans. When we move away from him, he will punish us with the rod and lead us to his way. Praying that you will understand God’s will in your life and live accordingly. Amen.

The BOOK – Kingdom Torn

From 1 Kings 11, the second period of King Solomon, we see serious trouble. Taxes under Solomon’s reign had weighed the people down. Luxury and idolatry had broken down their morale. Prosperity of money meant increased taxation, which grew into burdens that were unbearable and that bred the seeds of unrest and revolution. 

When Solomon’s son Rehoboam, threatened to levy heavier burdens upon the people, his unwise headstrong action added fuel to a fire that had already been gathering and burning. The revolt of the 10 tribes immediately followed (1 Kings 12:16), though the tribes of Judah and Benjamin remained loyal (1 Kings 12:17). This tension led to the appointment of Jeroboam as King of the northern section (1 Kings 12:20).

The Kingdom was divided and the judgement was upon Solomon for his long years of luxury and pride and power. 

Jeroboam, the ruler of the Northern Kingdom, Israel, made Shechem his capital. It seemed the natural place because it was in the center of the land. It was a custom, according to the law, to go up to Jerusalem regularly to worship (Deuteronomy 12:11,14). Jeroboam was afraid to have his 10 tribe’s journey to Jerusalem, the capital of Rehoboam’s kingdom, to worship God. So he made 2 golden calves and placed them in convenient spots – Bethel and Dan, so that the people would not have to go to Jerusalem. More than 20 times, it is written he caused Israel to sin. 

After 200 years, the people were carried into captivity by the King of Assyria in 722 BC (2 Kings 17). Many of God’s prophets had warned Israel of captivity, but they did not turn from their idolatry to Jehovah.

Things do not happen by accident. There is a cause at the root of every revolution. The event may come as suddenly as an explosion, or as the eruption of a volcano, but somewhere secret causes were at work undermining the structure. When you continue in secret sin against God, things may seem fine as nobody bothers, until suddenly God walks out your life. We should be very careful the way we live. The devil always roams around us to catch us into its arms. Praying that we should be extra careful in the way we live, things we talk and the time we spend alone so that through our actions our Gods name will be glorified, Amen.