2nd Kings 14 GETTING USED TO SIN The history of the nations of Israel and Judah remind us that when people turn away from the standards of the righteous law of God, there is no return. To serve God means we are committed to live by faith. To serve idols is to live by sight. Idols are tangible things with human characteristics that are easily understood because they are devised by men who can easily manipulate idolatry to suit our own opinions and the lifestyle that appeals most to sinful human beings. Self-centered materialism lets us do what we want including sexual immorality. In contrast to this is a holy God who wants His people to be holy and committed to righteousness in life including moral purity and focusing on serving others. This involves self-sacrifice and being unwilling to be manipulated by others even as our heavenly Father remains unchanging. There is no physical representation of God to which believers bow. We bow to our unseen living God.
The two Jewish nations had gotten so used to idolatry that even in times of half-hearted revival there was no lasting reality to the changes they made. Amaziah, king of Judah, did much of what was right even to the sparing of the children of those who killed his father, but he did not stop the idolatry to which the people had become so used. Respect for the law is good and commendable but that doesn't keep pride from raising its ugly head. The defeat of the Edomites and getting the city of Petra was certainly a victory, but victory in one place doesn't mean we are invincible. Every situation in which we are found calls for assurance that we are in the path of God's will. Often when we have been victorious in one way or event, we find ourselves most vulnerable to failure. The lowest most challenging point of life often follows the highest.
Amaziah must have thought he could bring Israel under his rule as well as that of Judah and unite the Jews, so he picked a fight with Joash (Jehoash) and lost. Not only was he captured along with other hostage, but the defenses of Jerusalem were greatly compromised by part of the wall being torn down. Also, anything of value that could be found was taken by the army if Israel. One wrote .... "He that is down need fear no fall, 'He that is low no pride. He that is humble shall ever have, God to be his guide."
It is possible for us to do a lot of good and still be a failure. The prophets who spoke for God at this time must have been ignored by most people, because the downward path was continued.
The future kingdom of God was prophesied by Hosea, Amos, Isaiah, Jonah and others. Amos and Hosea particularly warned the king of Israel, Jeroboam the second, of the need of the hour and that the prosperity they were enjoying would not last. Amos was plain when he told Israel to "Prepare to meet thy God." "Seek the Lord and ye will shall live." Then a warning, "I will not again pass by them any more." People can get so used to sin that they do not, or will not, pay attention to warnings of consequences. They think nothing has happened that has been too bad up till now, so they think they can just keep on the way they have been going. True prophets are those who are willing to say what needs to be said even if they are not liked. Their concern is for the people and they know they are speaking for the Lord.
When Azariah, the son of Amaziah, began his reign, Isaiah the prophet began his prophecies relating to the coming Messiah. We wonder at the lack of response to words such as "Come now, let us reason, saith the Lord. Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." How patient and longsuffering the Lord was during those times of departure and apostasy. Now it is our turn as a nation. For some reason there is no fear of God, and no willingness to submit to the standards of righteousness that have guided us for over two hundred years.
Azariah was king in Judah for some years before Amaziah his father died as a captive. The prophet Isaiah knew him as Uzziah who sought to rebuild that which was lost to Israel and regain independence from the northern tribes. Jonah also was a well-known prophet during this time and there were prophecies in relation to Israel that he gave, as well as that of his journey to the city of Nineveh in Assyria. That spiritual revival brought a period of freedom for Israel from the Assyrians. It may have been for this reason that Jeroboam II may have been politically successful in spite of following the sins of the first Jeroboam.
There was bitter suffering in Israel and no one was able to help them, so the Lord used Jeroboam in spite of his evil actions. How grateful we should be to know that "God is longsuffering, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." If it wasn't for His grace being shown to us, we would have cut off and lost long before this time. Injustice, apostasy and formal religion all undermine the moral fiber and well-being of a nation. Wealth and material prosperity do not indicate the blessing of God. Rather it reminds us of the longsuffering of God toward self-centered people.
Believers should know that everything we have really comes from God to us, and is given to us to use for His purposes and His glory. What we do with what we have been entrusted is a reflection of our gratitude and obedience to our Lord. If we rely on what we have, our security and our power more than on our God, we are in danger of losing everything including our reputation, testimony and perhaps our life.
2Kings 14:10. “Thou hast indeed smitten Edom, and thine heart hath lifted thee up: glory of this, and tarry at home: for why shouldest thou meddle to thy hurt, that thou shouldest fall, even thou, and Judah with thee?”
WHY MEDDLE? God has brought you to where you are – Now leave well enough alone. Don’t set your wishes on a distant star – Be content with what you have at home. Avoid the temptation of comparing with others; Be thankful that God has enabled you to cover Your needs, and even assist your sisters and brothers – Don’t meddle in what others have done.
Stop and consider God’s grace to you – You have all you need and more. He has given salvation and His Spirit too – And daily blessings on you pour. So be content with what you have – Use with wisdom and compassion all God gave – You will find from trouble yourself you will save – If you don’t meddle in someone else’s store.
Ten years from now what will it matter – If you find you’re in the same place. But if you listen to the world’s false chatter – You may find six feet long is your space.
Commit yourself to living by faith – Never despise or underestimate God’s mercy and grace – Make it a point to daily seek God’s face – And don’t meddle in what others chase.
“Gracious Father, I ask Thee now to keep me this day from putting my nose in places where it shouldn’t be. If there are things I should do and say – please help me to follow Thy leading; but keep me back from any meddling in things in which I have no business. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”