Pastor Marshall Ochs | November 3, 2024
In this message, Pastor Marshall teaches from 2 Kings 13-14. These chapters cover Israel's pattern of sin, judgment, and deliverance, under King Jehoahaz, whose cries for help were met with God's compassion despite ongoing disobedience. The life of Joash and Amaziah reveal a continued lack of true repentance and reliance on God, leading to further rebellion and the impending threat of exile. The theme of these chapters warns against complacency and emphasizes the importance of sincere devotion to God, urging readers to choose a relationship with Yahweh over the consequences of sin and spiritual apathy.
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2 Kings 13
We see a familiar pattern unfold in Israel. King Jehoahaz, the son of Jehu, leads Israel into sin, following in the idolatrous ways of his forefathers. As a consequence, God allows Syria to oppress Israel. This is the third time we have seen this cycle of judgment in Syria. Each time, the pattern is the same: Israel sins, judgment comes through the enemy, Israel cries out, and God mercifully saves.
Yet, even after God’s deliverance, Israel fails to truly repent. Though God grants relief, they do not change their ways. Over time, Israel loses more territory and becomes increasingly vulnerable, showing the slow, destructive impact of unrepentant sin. This cycle warns us of the consequences of resisting true heart change, even when we see God’s mercy at work.
This repeated cycle mirrors the warning found in Romans 1:21-28, where Paul describes how God “gave them over” to their sinful desires. When we persist in sin, God may allow us to experience the consequences of that path. In other words, if we insist on holding onto sin, He may “give us over” to it. As the enemy gains ground, we lose the peace, joy, and blessing that come from God’s presence.
This section of 2 Kings stands as a warning to us today: if we reject God’s guidance, we risk losing the peace and joy He desires for us. However, the chapter also reveals God’s kindness and mercy. Even when Israel cries out to God without fully repenting, He still delivers them from their oppression. Yet, without genuine repentance, they remain trapped, allowing sin to continue its destructive influence.
After Jehoahaz’s death, his son Joash continues in the same pattern. Joash acknowledges God but lacks a fully devoted heart. This is illustrated through two unusual stories with the prophet Elisha:
Elisha instructs Joash to strike the ground with arrows, symbolizing the extent of victory he desires from God. Joash, however, strikes the ground only three times, showing his half-hearted commitment. This story reveals Joash’s limited faith and devotion, much like his father’s. His acknowledgment of God lacks full surrender, which limits the victory that God could have granted.
When a dead man’s body touches Elisha’s bones, the man comes back to life. This miraculous event points to God’s power to bring life even amid Israel's spiritual decay. Though Elisha is gone, God’s power and faithfulness remain active.
These two stories frame Israel’s struggle with sin and show the hope of restoration. Even in the face of disobedience, God’s resurrection power is at work. His compassion endures, and His covenant with His people remains intact.
Even in our sin, God’s mercy is available to us. The story of Israel’s repeated sin, judgment, and deliverance encourages us to turn to God in complete surrender, seeking His strength to break free from the cycles of sin in our lives.
Reflection Questions:
Israel continued in sin despite God’s repeated deliverance. Are there areas in your life where you’ve experienced God’s mercy but struggled to turn from sin fully? What steps can you take to flee from sin and remove yourself from temptation?
Romans 1 warns that God may “give us over” to sin if we persist in it. How does this influence your view of sin’s impact on your life and relationship with God? Are there “small” sins you need to address to prevent them from taking root in your heart?
Joash’s half-hearted devotion limited his victories. In what ways do you acknowledge God but lack full commitment? How can you fully surrender to God daily?
The resurrection story shows God’s power at work even when Israel had fallen away. How does God’s faithfulness, even in times of disobedience, give you hope?
2 Kings 14
Amaziah, son of Joash, takes the throne in Judah. He starts out doing what is right in the eyes of the Lord, but his heart is not fully devoted. Amaziah’s main issue is pride and arrogance. Rather than relying on God, he begins to trust in his personal achievements. After defeating the Edomites, his pride grows, and he picks a fight with Israel, leading to a disastrous defeat. The temple is raided, and both Amaziah and the king of Israel, Joash, ultimately face the consequences of their actions.
Amaziah’s story warns us that pride and self-reliance, even in the lives of those who do “what is right,” can lead to spiritual and personal downfall. His example reminds us that obedience to God must be matched by humility and dependence on Him, not on our own success or achievements.
As each new king rises, we see a tragic cycle in Israel and Judah: God’s faithfulness is repeatedly met with rebellion. Instead of drawing closer to God, the kings lead the people deeper into sin, turning away from God’s guidance. The deeper Judah and Israel sink into idolatry and pride, the further they drift from the covenant with God, pushing the nation toward exile.
God’s repeated faithfulness—even when His people reject Him—calls us to reflect on our own responses to His grace. Are we moved to deeper devotion and humility, or do we, like Amaziah, let our hearts turn to self-reliance and pride?
During this time, God sends prophets like Amos to warn Israel and Judah about the consequences of their actions. In Amos 6:1-8, the prophet confronts the people’s complacency, pride, and empty worship. The issue is no longer about obvious idolatry, like Baal worship, but about spiritual laziness, drunkenness, pride, and superficial celebrations. God’s people are going through religious motions—empty feasts, shallow gatherings, and hollow sacrifices. Just as Romans 1 warns that God “gives people over” to their sinful desires when they persist in sin, here we see that God may also give people over to religious complacency and superficial living.
This is a powerful warning for us today. If we live self-centered, lazy lives, God may allow us to experience the consequences of that lifestyle. If we treat worship, prayer, or communion as mere rituals, He may let us feel the emptiness of empty traditions. If church becomes about entertainment rather than devotion, we may experience a spiritual dryness or even feel God’s presence withdraw.
May we choose a heart devoted to God rather than a life of superficial obedience. God calls us to deep, meaningful worship and devotion—a relationship that impacts every area of our lives. We can choose to walk closely with God, experiencing the fullness of His presence and blessing, or we can let pride, laziness, and superficial religion lead us into spiritual exile.
As the story of Amaziah teaches us, choosing self-reliance, pride, or empty rituals over true devotion leads us further from God and blinds us to His truth. The invitation is clear: turn to Christ and seek a heart that genuinely desires Him.
Reflection Questions:
Amaziah did what was right, but pride and self-reliance led to his downfall. Are there areas in your life where you tend to rely more on your achievements or status than on God?
How can you shift your focus back to humble dependence on God? Israel and Judah’s cycle of sin and rebellion in response to God’s faithfulness reflects the danger of taking God’s grace for granted.
Amos warns against complacency, empty worship, and shallow celebrations. Are there areas of your spiritual life that have become routine or lack sincere devotion?
Romans 1 speaks of God “giving people over” to their sinful desires, even in religious practices. Are there habits, attitudes, or “acceptable sins” in your life that you need to bring to God in repentance?
How can you seek a heart fully devoted to God rather than just outward behavior?
Are you willing to surrender your pride, self-reliance, or complacency to experience a closer walk with God?