Pastor Marshall Ochs | November 17, 2024
In this message, Pastor Marshall teaches from 2 Kings 17-19. Israel’s persistent sin led to their exile, illustrating the consequences of unfaithfulness to God’s covenant. This serves as a warning in Hebrews 12:25, encouraging Christians to remain faithful and avoid the world’s temptations, as Israel's rebellion is a repeatable pattern. King Hezekiah, however, provides a contrast, showing a heart devoted to God and a powerful example of prayer. When faced with imminent danger from Assyria, his prayerful dependence on God highlights the greater invitation for believers to make prayer a daily priority, cultivating a deep, ongoing relationship with God.
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In 2 Kings 17, the story of Israel reaches its tragic conclusion. For years, the northern kingdom of Israel spiraled deeper into sin despite God’s patience and kindness. Eventually, exile becomes the unavoidable result of their rebellion. The author of 2 Kings lists Israel’s sins in detail (verses 7-17)
This list of sins is devastating but often reads like a list of offensese. In Ezekiel 23, we find the impact of these sins, where God describes Israel’s sin as spiritual adultery. God's covenant with Israel was like that of a marriage, and their unfaithfulness was betrayal. They sought intimacy with the world instead of intimacy with God, leading to exile and the loss of their identity and land.
In Hebrews 12:25, we are reminded that rebellion under the first covenant led to severe consequences, and the stakes are even higher for those under the new covenant. Like Israel, we are warned not to crave worthless things that will ultimately leave us empty. The call is clear: remain faithful to Christ, rejecting worldliness and sin that can lead to spiritual exile.
Reflection Questions
Israel’s sins were often hidden (“secret sins against the Lord”). Are there sins in your life you’ve been ignoring or hiding?
How can you bring these areas to God in repentance and seek His forgiveness?
Ezekiel describes sin as spiritual adultery. Are there things you are prioritizing over your relationship with God?
How can you restore intimacy with God and keep Him at the center of your life?
Israel rejected prophetic warnings. Are there ways you’ve been resisting God’s warnings in your life?
How can you cultivate a heart that is surrendered to His guidance and correction?
As we move to 2 Kings 18, we shift our focus to Judah, where Hezekiah stands out as an encouragement in time of such evilness. Hezekiah is described as a king who was “fully devoted to God, like David”. He removed idols, tore down the high places, and destroyed the bronze serpent that Moses had made because it had become an idol. Scripture says Hezekiah held fast to the LORD, and kept His commandments.
Once Assyria conquered Israel, their king set his sights on Judah. Hezekiah initially complied and sent the king of Assyria silver and gold with a letter that he had done wrong and would pay. In response, the king of Assyria sent his generals to mock and threaten Hezekiah and the nation of Judah.
Faced with no where to go, Hezekiah spread the letter before the Lord and cried out for deliverance . This moment of complete surrender reveals Hezekiah’s heart: his trust is in the Lord alone.
Hezekiah’s prayer has inspired countless believers throughout history. It is a model of humility, surrender, dependence, and faith. Yet, as powerful as prayers in desperate times can be, there is an even greater invitation: daily communion with Jesus Christ through ongoing conversations.
Reflection Questions
Hezekiah trusted God in a desperate situation. Are there areas in your life where you’ve been trying to “control” or handle things on your own instead of turning to God?
How can you practice surrendering these situations to Him in prayer?
What steps can you take to deepen your dependence on God?
The invitation is to pray daily, not just in times of crisis. What does your daily prayer life look like?
How can you make prayer a consistent and meaningful part of your relationship with God?
As we reflect on these chapters, may we prioritize our conversations with our Heavenly Father above all else. Imagine the transformation in your life if prayer became your first priority. Let us be a people of prayer, faithfulness, and surrender, trusting that as we seek Him, He will lead us into His peace, purpose, and promises.