2 Kings 17:7 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.
The Israelites were deported to Assyria, their king was in prison, and their lands had been settled by foreigners. Why God? I can imagine many Israelites were crying out that day. Why God? Verse 7 gives us the answer, “because the Israelites had sinned against the LORD their God.”
Sin has consequences. The price of sin is death (Romans 6:23). Sow to the flesh and you will reap corruption (Galatians 6:8). Sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death (John 1:15). 2 Kings 17 goes on to highlight their sin, “they worshipped other gods”, “the Israelites secretly did things against the Lord their God that were not right”, “they did wicked things that aroused the Lord’s anger”. As I’ve been reading through 2 Kings, I would have admit that my judgement is, “You had it coming! You deserve to be punished by God! None of you stood up and did what was right. You all ignored to warnings. You should be taken captive.” Wow, it is so easy for me to judge others.
Unfortunately, I’m no different than the Israelites in 2 Kings. I sin against God all the time. I know what I should do but don’t do it. I know what I shouldn’t do but do it anyways. How am I any different than the Israelites? I need God’s mercy every day! Without it, I would be enslaved by my enemies. Lucky for me, God paid for my sins. “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)
- Do you find it easy to judge those in sin around you?
- How can you remember God’s mercy at those times?
- How can you show God’s mercy to those caught in sin?
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