BECAUSE
July 15, 2022
The word "because" denotes cause and effect. “It fell because you threw it in the air. It fell because of the law of gravity.”
As with the physical world, there are causes and effects in the spiritual realm. If we don’t understand this truth, we can misunderstand why certain things are happening.
THE REASONS FOR GOD’S RIGHTEOUS JUDGMENT
2 Kings 17 records a long list of wicked kings and the corresponding judgment of God, which ultimately led to captivity in Assyria. It was cause and effect.
Now this came about because … (2 Kings 17:7)
… and then the Scripture gives 18 reasons for their captivity.
-
the sons of Israel had sinned against the Lord their God (vs. 7b)
-
they feared other gods (vs. 7c)
-
walked in the customs of the nations whom the Lord had driven out (vs. 8)
-
did things secretly which were not right against the Lord their God. (vs. 9a)
-
built for themselves high places in all their towns (9b)
-
set for themselves sacred pillars and Asherim on every high hill and under every green tree (vs. 10)
-
burned incense on all the high places (vs. 11)
-
served their idols, concerning which the Lord had said to them, “You shall not do this thing.” (vs. 11)
-
did evil things provoking the Lord (vs. 11)
-
Ignored the warning of the prophets (vs. 13-14)
-
rejected God’s statutes and His covenant (vs. 15)
-
followed vanity and became vain (vs. 15)
-
forsook all the commandments of the Lord their God (vs. 16)
-
made for themselves molten images (vs. 16)
-
made their sons and daughters pass through the fire (vs. 17)
-
practiced divination and enchantments (vs. 17)
-
sold themselves to do evil in the sight of the Lord (vs. 17)
-
provoked God (vs. 17
When you see the list in its entirety, you realize that God had to bring judgment. He could not ignore that which wicked men were leading His nation to do.
What was the response from God to this blatant, unceasing, unrepentant sin?
- So the Lord was very angry with Israel and removed them from His sight (vs. 18)
- The Lord rejected all the descendants of Israel and afflicted them, and gave them into the hand of plunderers (vs. 20)
- So Israel was carried away into exile from their own land to Assyria (vs. 23)
We are not immune. We think our nation is above God’s judgment, but it is not. You can ignore God’s mercy and grace and warnings only for so long. God sees everything, and everything is ultimately dealt with by God. A sobering thought.
Father, make our hearts tender to Your voice. Let us hear You and respond with humble obedience. Let us understand that Your way is always best, and You love to take care of Your children if they follow You! But let us also remember that our disobedience cannot be ignored if we lead generations to ignore You.
Also in Graceful Truth
September 27, 2023
Our love for Christ and following Him matters. It not only affects us, but all those around us, and particularly our children. Isaac was the inheritor of the Lord's promise because of God's grace and goodness, but also his father Abraham's obedience played a part.
Continue Reading
September 26, 2023
Everything in the life that God has designed for man is about faith. We were made to live on God and no other. Drawn away from this dependency, we flounder in useless pursuits, our lives missing the whole point of our existence.
Continue Reading
September 25, 2023
More numerous than you know are the moments when God has pulled you out of the pit by His compassion. Rescued you because of the pure grace of His mercy. Delivered you because of previous promises He has made, perhaps even to your own parents. Shown kindness to you that you did not deserve simply because of His great love and eternal purposes.
Continue Reading
