Enjoy Life, Enjoy God

THE END--PART?

February 19, 2010

Page after page of social and national decline marks much of 2 Kings. Not too cheery. Yet in the Bible for more than a history course, but for our blessing and nurture.

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They followed worthless idols and themselves became worthless. They imitated the nations around them although the Lord had ordered them, "Do not do as they do."
- 2 Kings 17:15 TNIV
 

722 BC and thereabouts was the end of Israel, the Northern Kingdom; only Judah the Southern Kingdom of the twelve tribes of Israel remained. Assyria wiped out the Northern Kingdom and carried them into their world. It was the End. King after king refused to lead the people into the faithfulness that they professed, but refused to practice. The Lord their God was not their center, until their God was no longer theirs, and they ceased.

But a remnant remained. In Judah still flickered an ember of hope, our hope as well. As a history lesson, 2 Kings is a downer. As a sermon, it invites me, you too, to listen up. The Lord is center, not a sidelight or accessory to our lives. Yes? Oh, keep in mind, Hezekiah's coming!
Joyfully,

Dale Patterson