2 Tim 2:15 "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
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WHAT IS 2 KINGS ABOUT?
AUG 3
2 Kings 25:1-26
Memorise 2 Kings 21:14-15 "they have done … evil in my sight, and have provoked me to anger"
WHAT IS 2 KINGS ABOUT?
The book of 2 Kings is really a continuation of 1 Kings. It follows the rise and fall of the various kings of both Israel and Judah. It is probably one of the saddest and most tragic accounts in the history of Israel, as we see both the northern and southern Kingdoms decline and ultimately get carried off into captivity.
At the beginning of the book we read of the last few acts of Elijah before he is taken up to heaven, and see his ministry passed on to Elisha. Though they were godly and fearless prophets, quick to rebuke the sin and idolatry of the various kings of Israel, it was to no avail as there was little they could do to stem the moral and religious decline of the nations. There would be a few bright sparks in the book, results from the ministry of the prophets, and also during the revivals of the good kings like Hezekiah and Josiah, but generally the trend would be downwards.
2 Kings 16-17 describes the final downfall of the northern kingdom, the nation of Israel, with the sacking of Samaria. After they were conquered, the Assyrians removed the children of Israel and brought people from many of the surrounding nations to occupy the cities, such that the Samarians became a mixed race who practised a sort of syncretistic religion. They would still worship Jehovah in name, for they understood Him to be the God of Samaria, but they worshipped Him with their own methods, in high places and before idols. This is why during the time of Jesus, the Samaritans were despised and looked down upon by the Jews.
2 Kings 25 would describe the final destruction of the southern kingdom, the nation of Judah, as Jerusalem is razed to the ground, the Temple of the Lord would be plundered and destroyed, and the once glorious city of God made desolate. The Jews would be carried off captive into Babylon by King Nebuchadnezzar, where prophets like Daniel and Ezekiel would be amongst the prisoners. One of the last kings of Judah, King Zedekiah, would watch as they killed his 4 sons, before they put out his eyes. It was indeed a sad and tragic end, but no less than what they deserved, for God had warned them time and again that this would be the punishment for their disobedience. They never heeded, and thus had to pay the price.
Thought: The wages of sin is death.
Prayer: Lord, help me to realize the gravity of sin, and to fear Thee, and to always walk in Your ways.
Posted in Teens RPG
2 Kings 25:1-26
Memorise 2 Kings 21:14-15 "they have done … evil in my sight, and have provoked me to anger"
WHAT IS 2 KINGS ABOUT?
The book of 2 Kings is really a continuation of 1 Kings. It follows the rise and fall of the various kings of both Israel and Judah. It is probably one of the saddest and most tragic accounts in the history of Israel, as we see both the northern and southern Kingdoms decline and ultimately get carried off into captivity.
At the beginning of the book we read of the last few acts of Elijah before he is taken up to heaven, and see his ministry passed on to Elisha. Though they were godly and fearless prophets, quick to rebuke the sin and idolatry of the various kings of Israel, it was to no avail as there was little they could do to stem the moral and religious decline of the nations. There would be a few bright sparks in the book, results from the ministry of the prophets, and also during the revivals of the good kings like Hezekiah and Josiah, but generally the trend would be downwards.
2 Kings 16-17 describes the final downfall of the northern kingdom, the nation of Israel, with the sacking of Samaria. After they were conquered, the Assyrians removed the children of Israel and brought people from many of the surrounding nations to occupy the cities, such that the Samarians became a mixed race who practised a sort of syncretistic religion. They would still worship Jehovah in name, for they understood Him to be the God of Samaria, but they worshipped Him with their own methods, in high places and before idols. This is why during the time of Jesus, the Samaritans were despised and looked down upon by the Jews.
2 Kings 25 would describe the final destruction of the southern kingdom, the nation of Judah, as Jerusalem is razed to the ground, the Temple of the Lord would be plundered and destroyed, and the once glorious city of God made desolate. The Jews would be carried off captive into Babylon by King Nebuchadnezzar, where prophets like Daniel and Ezekiel would be amongst the prisoners. One of the last kings of Judah, King Zedekiah, would watch as they killed his 4 sons, before they put out his eyes. It was indeed a sad and tragic end, but no less than what they deserved, for God had warned them time and again that this would be the punishment for their disobedience. They never heeded, and thus had to pay the price.
Thought: The wages of sin is death.
Prayer: Lord, help me to realize the gravity of sin, and to fear Thee, and to always walk in Your ways.
Posted in Teens RPG