I am using the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading. I had been using One Year Bible Online, but it was time for a change.
Today, I am reading and commenting on 2 Kings 17-18.
Every time I read this passage I am struck by how the author finds it horrifying that the people of Israel, and then those who were brought into the land to replace them, sacrificed their own children to their idols. About the Israelites before the Assyrians took them into exile:
They EVEN sacrificed their own sons and daughters in the fire.
Then about the people the Assyrians settled in the land to replace them:
…EVEN burned their own children as sacrifices to their gods…
I can just hear that in my mind as the author says it, “Can you believe it? How depraved would you have to be to sacrifice your OWN children?” I am convinced that the author would view our society with similar horror and disbelief about the way we practice abortion. I want to make clear that I see other cultures in our world sacrificing their children in a similar manner. God’s patience with us will not last much longer. The day of His judgment is coming. Let us get down on our knees and pray that God’s Spirit will change hearts before it is too late.
I am convinced from reading this that the people whom the Assyrians settled in the land of Israel had the opportunity to be merged into the people of God, the people of Israel. When they first came into the land, things went badly. So, the king of Assyria sent a priest from among the exiles to teach them about God. The priest taught them about God and they began to worship God, but they refused to give up their worship of other gods. The author then reminds us that God had entered into the following covenant with the descendants of Jacob
Do not worship any other gods or bow before them or serve them or offer sacrifices to them. But worship only the Lord, who brought you out of Egypt with great strength and a powerful arm. Bow down to him alone, and offer sacrifices only to him.
Immediately after writing this, the author tells us that the new residents would not listen and continued to follow their former practices. Let us not follow their example. Rather let us be careful to obey the decrees, regulations, instructions, and commands which God has given us. Let us fall on our knees and beg Him for mercy and seek how we can serve Him, and Him alone.