2 Kings 17:7-8

Spend time in prayer and silence with God asking Him to meet with you and speak to you.

Bible Reading

All this took place because the Israelites had sinned against the Lord their God, who had brought them up out of Egypt from under the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt. They worshipped other Gods and followed the practices of the nations the Lord had driven out before them, as well as the practices that the kings of Israel had introduced. So the Lord was very angry with Israel and removed them from His presence. Only the tribe of Judah was left, and even Judah did not keep the commands of the Lord their God. They followed the practices Israel had introduced. So the people of Israel were taken into exile in Assyria…”

– 2 Kings 17:7-8,18-19, 23b

Devotion

The 12 minor prophets were raised up as mouthpieces of God to continually call Israel and Judah back to a sincere faith in Him. These prophets had two main ministries: 1) Forth-telling: To instruct and exhort the people based on words of God that were previously revealed. They dealt with the current or past sins, God’s warnings, and the judgment that would come if the people did not change their ways. 2) Foretelling: To reveal God’s words concerning future events.

The Big Question

You have often heard it said that, “History repeats itself.” Unfortunately, this is very true concerning the kingdoms of Israel and Judah. Scripture records their bent toward rebellion and idol worship. In the above text, we see the result of a continual rejection of God’s mercy and grace. Israel would be taken into captivity by the Assyrians for hundreds of years. As human beings, we are all born with a sinful nature or a bent to rebel against God. Jesus came to reconcile us to God. Have you trusted in the completed work of Christ for your salvation? Are you struggling in your walk with Christ? Is the allure of this world stronger than your devotion to Christ? Do you continually reject God’s mercy and grace and cause God to exercise His loving discipline in your life?

Spend some time in prayer meditating on what God revealed to you today.