NATIONAL HISTORY continued 2nd Kings It is possible for a nation of people to go downhill so far and so fast that God lets the inevitable conclusion happen. Inward corruption morally follows spiritual corruption and compromise. Soon, idolatry takes the place of the worship and fear of God. Religious practices continue, but they follow the teaching and form that most appeals to the population rather than the standards of a righteous, holy, and unchangeable God. That has happened in this country, so now tolerance of sin, pleasure, materialism, and self-fulfillment are the idols that most people worship.
History involves telling the “story” of past events, including the uniqueness and characteristics of cultures, nations, and geographical locations. Studying history is so that present and future generations learn from the successes and failures of those who have gone before us. We can build on the principles of their success and avoid making the same mistakes that those before us made.
Sadly, very few people in the younger generations are interested in learning from others because they think their opinions and intellect are superior to those of ancient times or the recent past. They forget all the advances made by thoughtful people who have made remarkable inventions, discoveries, and societies that are intertwined worldwide. The focus of most people is on what pleases me now and what I think is important rather than on what effect the way I live and what I believe will have on my children and grandchildren.
However, going against the stream of man's opinion, success, and pleasure, some are still going upstream to the higher ground of fellowship with God. They have new life - divine life imparted by the Spirit of God, so they have the strength and fortitude to go against the forces of the downriver flowing river of the world. They stand out when others see them, and the down-sliding majority seeks to catch them and take them along with them.
The book of 2nd Kings is a continuation of 1st Kings in which the historical drift gains momentum and ends with the once favored nation taken captive. The dispersion of the Jewish people among the nations of the world took place, and even yet, though there is a recent secular nation of Israel, the chosen earthly people of God remain scattered throughout the world. There they will remain until our Lord Jesus Christ comes in glory and takes the throne of David, from which He will rule for 1000 years over the nations of the earth.
2nd Kings gives an account of the twelve failing and evil rulers of the northern tribes, Israel, and the succession of the kings of the southern tribes, Judah. Judah had two good kings and remained a national identity for 130 years longer than Israel.
During the years of failure and departure, God sent many prophets to call the people to repentance and testify that God was still on His throne and willing to receive them back to Himself if they would repent. Prophets from Elijah to Hosea warned and taught the people of Israel. From Micah to Obadiah, faithful prophets gave the message of God to Judah. There were brief moments of consideration given to the prophets, but for the most part, they were scorned, rejected, and persecuted.
The challenge of dark days is to remain faithful and courageous in our lives for God despite what pleases most people. The minor prophets contain testimony of such practices and service. Some godly prophets and priests lived among the people and did not compromise themselves, their message, or their responsibility. God is still at work in situations and nations in terrible moral and spiritual conditions.
Ahijah, the prophet, spoke for God in Israel during the reign of Jeroboam. When Ahab became king, he tolerated and promoted evil that brought famine as a punishment from God, and into that situation came Elijah, the prophet. After Ahab was killed at Ramoth-Gilead, when Israel and Judah under Jehoshaphat attacked the Arameans, Ahaziah, Ahab's son, became king. He had proposed a trade agreement with Judah at the beginning of his reign. They intended to enter a shipping venture, but God stopped that unequal yoke.