Category: 2 Kings

Reading

Audio, Visual

SAA Notes

Jehu’s family reigns in Samaria for four generations. The fifth generation king Zechariah reigns for only 6 months. Remember the proverbs: for 3 generations and for 4 … . The story of Azariah’s (Uzziah) leprosy is in 2 Chronicles 26. Azariah was a believer who thought he was as good spiritually as those appointed to the offices in the church (i.e. then priests, or now, elders and minister). He went up in the Temple to offer incense and prayer without the call or appointment of God.

SJA Notes

* Loving God, may we be companions of all who fear You, of those who keep Your precepts.

“He did not depart from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, …”

Here we see Israel falling apart; conspiracies, murder, corruption, defeated by enemies and terrible atrocities committed.

The sins of “Jeroboam the son of Nebat” are mentioned five times alone in this reading (they’ve been a constant refrain).

It was a destructive influence Jeroboam had on Israel.

And his sins boil down to one descriptor – idolatry.

In 1 Kings 12 we read of Jeroboam’s motivation,

“If this people go up to offer sacrifices in the temple of the LORD at Jerusalem, then the heart of this people will turn again to their lord, to Rehoboam king of Judah, …”

Jeroboam used false religion as a tool to maintain his power and influence.

False religion is all around us today. Sometimes it can be easy to see, and sometimes it is hidden right beside us in our lives.

This passage is an encouragement to put off our old selves and put on our new selves, as we read in Ephesians 4, and in Romans 12,

“… Created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.”

It is His likeness, not ours. His righteousness, not ours. His holiness, not ours.

* Dear Father in Heaven,

Please forgive us Lord, for our sin today.

Please wash us clean.

Aright our hearts and minds that we might walk in a manner pleasing to You.

Amen.

Reading

Audio, Visual

SAA Notes

Jehoash is half-hearted with Elisha. He comes with great protestations. He treats Elisha as if he were very important to Israel’s future, but then is half-hearted in obeying Elisha’s command as the Lord’s prophet. James’ warning is apt. See James 1:5-8.

SJA Notes

* Dear Lord God, remember Your word to Your servant, in which You have made us hope.

“Then the man of God was angry with him, …”

We read another passage of scripture showing the ups and downs of the kings of Israel and Judah. Stories of broken people making broken apart-from-God decisions.

The sins of Jeroboam are far-reaching down through time. We still read of them here, many generations later!

It is a good reminder of the consequences of our actions, that we live in a world that suffers not only because it is broken, but because we are too!

We cannot get away from this.

What we do has importance for the here and now; how we act, what decisions we make.

As well, what we do has importance for the next generation, and onwards.

Not important for our own boasting, not because of our own strength or intellect or will – What we do is important because our King calls us to do as He commands. His word has the weight of importance as we carry out His will.

Obedience is not a robotic action – It is a conscious decision to do what Jesus tells us.

Praise God then, that because of what Jesus has won for us, the work of the Holy Spirit in us, the grace and mercy of the Father – We can please Him!

Hallelujah, what a Saviour!

* God Above,

Thank You for making it possible for us, a sinful people, to have a personal relationship with You – the living and holy Almighty God.

Thank You that through Your power at work in us we are able to choose obedience, choose to walk the narrow road.

Thank You Father God!

Amen.

Reading

Audio, Visual

SAA Notes

Athaliah was as murderous as her mother Jezebel. After her son’s death, she had all the royal children killed and took power. Only her grandson Joash survived, hiding with his uncle Jehoiada the high priest. After Jehoiada’s death, Joash turned from the Lord to idolatry and even had Jehoiada’s son Zechariah murdered for opposing his idolatry. See 2 Chronicles 24:20-25.

SJA Notes

* God of Light, let Your steadfast love come to us, Your salvation according to Your promise.

“And Jehoash did what was right in the eyes of the LORD all his days, because Jehoida the priest instructed him.”

(note here: “Jehoash” == “Joash”)

We read here of the king who was saved from an evil grandmother, saved to reign well and do what was right in the eyes of the Lord.

But.

We read in 2 Chronicles 24 (a different lens-telling of these same timelines),

“Thus Joash the king did not remember the kindness that Jehoida, Zechariah’s father, had shown him, but killed his son.”

How frail and broken we are!

God’s word tells us the truth of how people are, no sugar-coating or turning a blind eye.

Today’s passage speaks of Joash in the same way we read of David – doing right in the eyes of the LORD all his days.

This does not mean the person is without sin, or never does _wrong_ in the sight of the Lord.

One thing this passage does is points us to this – If not for Jesus, what would we be?

Praise God that in Jesus we have a king who is not going to turn away from righteousness, is not going to become old (and frail), is not going to wander off – He is the ever-living God, and He is perfectly and always righteous!

* Lord God above,

Thank You for Jesus, our ever-living King!

Thank You for His righteousness that we have, through His sacrifice for us – given to us though so unworthy.

Thank You for Your steadfast love and faithfulness to us, day in and out.

Amen.