This is a sad few chapters to read. The kings of Judah and Israel come and go and descendants rise to take their place. Some of these kings are described as “doing what is evil in the sight of the Lord”. Others are described as “ doing what is right in the sight of the Lord.” But, even the ones who acknowledge God still fail their people by not wholly following the Lord. Amazion was one of the kings of Judah described as “ doing what was right” However, the Bible clarifies “BUT....not like David did.” The mistake he made was to still allow other gods to be worshipped. “But the high places were not removed; the people still sacrificed and made offerings on the high places.” (14:4) in Chapter 15, Azariah is another king who “ did what was right in the sight of the Lord”. However, he too did not wholly commit to God. The Bible tells us “NEVERTHELESS, the high places were not taken away. The people still sacrificed and made offerings on the high places.” (15:4)
Menaham was a king of Israel who became more focused on pleasing the King of Assyria and looking to him for help rather than God. “Pul the king of Assyria came against the land, and Menahem gave Pul a thousand talents of silver, that he might help him to confirm his hold on the royal power. Menahem exacted the money from Israel, that is, from all the wealthy men, fifty shekels of silver from every man, to give to the king of Assyria. So the king of Assyria turned back and did not stay there in the land.” (15:19-20)
Ahaz, the king of Judah, however, was far more rebellious. “Ahaz also took the silver and gold that was found in the house of the Lord and in the treasures of the king’s house and sent a present to the king of Assyria.” (16:8) He was also brazen enough to have an alter built like the one he saw in Damascus and made changes to the temple that were not authorized by God. And why did he do this. “ because of the king of Assyria” (16:8)
God is loving, patient and forgiving but finally, God has enough. He watches his people embrace evil including sacrificing their own children to pagan gods “Yet the Lord warned Israel and Judah by every prophet and every seer, saying, “Turn from your evil ways and keep my commandments and my statutes, in accordance with all the Law that I commanded your fathers, and that I sent to you by my servants the prophets.” But they would not listen, but were stubborn, as their fathers had been, who did not believe in the Lord their God. They despised his statutes and his covenant that he made with their fathers and the warnings that he gave them. They went after false idols and became false, and they followed the nations that were around them, concerning whom the Lord had commanded them that they should not do like them.” (17:13-15)
As the people of Israel continue in their stubborn defiance, God removes his protection and blessings. He allows the king of Assyria to conquer his people and exile them to foreign lands.
God loves us and is patient with us. He gives us His Word to guide us. He gives us his Son to redeem us and He gives us His Spirit to teach and comfort us. We too get to make the choice. Will we “ do what is evil in the sight of the Lord” or will we “ do what is right”. Will we compromise and commit to the Lord but reserve portions of our devotion to serving other “gods” and pleasing the world? Always check your heart. Know if you are offering God total devotion or halfhearted devotion. Have you cleared away the “ high places” that compete with your devotion? Ask him to empower you to be committed and to grow your faith.