Lessons from the Divided Kings (part 2)
Introduction. The New Testament says:
These two passages succinctly summarize both the good and bad examples we can learn from the Old Testament.
Previously in part 1, we examined five episodes from the reign of five kings in what is called the "Divided Kingdom" between roughly 1000 B.C. and 600 B.C. In part 2, we will continue and conclude this study with six additional episodes.
Mixed Devotion – Amaziah. In 2 Chron. 25 we read about King Amaziah who was strengthening the Southern Kingdom's army. Although he initially hired warriors from the idolatrous Northern Kingdom, he agreed to release them at the urging of a prophet of God. He successfully defeated Seir/Edom, but foolishly decided to adopt their gods. Full of pride, he next challenged and attacked the Northern Kingdom, but was defeated with Jerusalem being ransacked as a result. As 2 Chron. 25:2 records, "And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, but not with a perfect heart.”
Amaziah is a good example of people who claim to be followers of Christ, but are not fully convicted. This can manifest itself in a number of different ways, to include:
- In obedience “Give me understanding, and I shall keep Your law; Indeed, I shall observe it with my whole heart.” Psa. 119:34
- In prayer “But let him ask in faith, with no doubting … a double-minded man, in all his ways.” James 1:5-8
- In devotion “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart … soul … strength … mind,” Luke 10:27
Danger of Pride – Uzziah. Amaziah's son, Uzziah, started off his reign well. Per 2 Chron. 26:4-5, “He did right in the sight of the LORD … God prospered him.” Unfortunately later, “when he became strong, his heart was so proud that he acted corruptly, and he was unfaithful to the LORD” (2 Chron. 26:16) He even attempted to offer incense as a non-Levitical priest and was struck with leprosy as a result.
Today, too many people let pride get in the way of humbly submitting to God. "Ego" from elevated family background or social/economic status, advanced educational background, or personal success can blind people to the Truth, even when they are wrong. As Proverbs says, "“Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before stumbling. … A man's pride will bring him low, But a humble spirit will obtain honor.” (Prov. 16:18; 29:23)
Influence for Good – Hezekiah. Although Hezekiah's father, King Ahaz, promoted idolatry and shut down the temple in Jerusalem, Hezekiah reversed his evil father's policies and opened/cleansed the temple per 2 Chron. 29. He even called for a celebration of the Passover, to include inviting the Northern Kingdom to come and worship the true God. As a result, "all Israel … pulled down the high places ... in Judah … Ephraim and Manasseh …” (2 Chron. 31:1).
As Christians, we too can be an influence for good, regardless of our upbringing. “You are the light of the world. … Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” (Matt. 5:14-16). This includes reaching out to unbelievers and even our enemies per Luke 6:35, “But love your enemies, and do good…”.
Repentance #1 – Manasseh. Unfortunately the religious reforms King Hezekiah had instituted were immediately reversed by his son Manasseh per 2 Chronicles 33. As verse 9 says, "So Manasseh seduced Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to do more evil than the nations whom the LORD had destroyed before the children of Israel." As punishment, God allowed him to be captured by the Assyrians and carried away to Babylon. Ultimately, Manassah repented, prayed to the Lord, and was allowed to return to Judah where he removed the idolatrous altars he had set up previously. "Nevertheless the people still sacrificed in the high places” per verse 17.
With Manasseh, we see multiple lessons we can learn, including:
- Obey godly parents. “My son, observe the commandment of your father … do not forsake the teaching of your mother;” Prov. 6:20
- Be willing to repent, as with the prodigal son, “but when he came to his senses, …” Luke 15:17.
- While some consequences of sin linger after repentance, we need to have Paul's attitude of “forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 3:13-14)
Repentance #2 – Josiah. In 2 Kings 22-23, we read of Manasseh's grandson, Josiah. After Josiah's father, Amon had plunged Jerusalem back into idolatry, Josiah commanded the repair of the temple. During the process, a copy of the "Book of the Law" was discovered (likely the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Old Testament). When he heard what the Law said, he realized "great is the wrath of the LORD that is aroused against us, because our fathers have not obeyed the words of this book, to do according to all that is written concerning us." (2 Kings 22:13) As a result, he humbled himself, wept before the Lord, repented, and led the Southern Kingdom in perhaps its greatest religious reformation to date. As 2 Kings 23:25 says, "Now before him there was no king like him, who turned to the LORD with all his heart, with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the Law of Moses; nor after him did any arise like him."
It is somewhat uncertain what the discovery of the Book of the Law suggests regarding Josiah's previous access to the Law of Moses. If it was limited, he certainly didn't let ignorance of God's Word be an excuse to not following it. As 2 Tim. 2:15 commands Christians, “Be diligent [study KJV] to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” We also see Josiah's instrumental role in influencing his contemporaries to be reconciled to God. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” (Matt. 5:9)
Rebellion – Zedekiah. By the time Zedekiah was made king by the Babylonians in 2 Kings 24-25, Babylon had already invaded the Southern Kingdom twice. Throughout this period, the prophet Jeremiah had been warning the people about God's wrath at their religious rebellion and pending doom at the hands of the Babylonians. Unfortunately like so many kings before him, Zedekiah persisted in ignoring the warnings. When he led the people in rebellion against the Babylonians yet again, he triggered the third and final siege of Jerusalem. The Babylonians overthrew the city, destroyed the temple, killed Zedekiah's sons, put out his eyes, and forcibly took him to Babylon. This effectively wiped out the Southern Kingdom until some Jews were permitted to return roughly 70 years later.
In Zedekiah (and many of the other kings during this period), we see examples of what we should not do – persist in sin and rebellion to God! As the New Testament exhorts:
- “For all have sinned…” Rom. 3:23
- “unless you repent you will all likewise perish.” Luke 13:3
- “but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.…Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion” Heb. 3:13-15
Conclusions. As we have seen in this short series, the Old Testament abounds with both good and bad examples we can learn from:
- Seek counsel from wise sources (not necessarily your “buddies”).
- Religious “improvements” often aren’t.
- Be careful who your friends are, including whom you date and “fall in love with”.
- Reach out to God in bad times (and in good)
- Don’t be lukewarm.
- Beware the dangers of pride.
- Brighten the corner where you are.
- Don’t wait until a “2x4” hits you to come to your senses and repent.
- Study to avoid ignorance and have moral conviction to adopt what is right.
- Don't be stiff-necked and rebellious.
May we all heed the encouragement of 1 Cor. 10:11: "Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction."
- Rom. 15:4 “For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.”
- 1 Cor. 10:6, 11 “Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did. … Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come.”
These two passages succinctly summarize both the good and bad examples we can learn from the Old Testament.
Previously in part 1, we examined five episodes from the reign of five kings in what is called the "Divided Kingdom" between roughly 1000 B.C. and 600 B.C. In part 2, we will continue and conclude this study with six additional episodes.
Mixed Devotion – Amaziah. In 2 Chron. 25 we read about King Amaziah who was strengthening the Southern Kingdom's army. Although he initially hired warriors from the idolatrous Northern Kingdom, he agreed to release them at the urging of a prophet of God. He successfully defeated Seir/Edom, but foolishly decided to adopt their gods. Full of pride, he next challenged and attacked the Northern Kingdom, but was defeated with Jerusalem being ransacked as a result. As 2 Chron. 25:2 records, "And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, but not with a perfect heart.”
Amaziah is a good example of people who claim to be followers of Christ, but are not fully convicted. This can manifest itself in a number of different ways, to include:
- In obedience “Give me understanding, and I shall keep Your law; Indeed, I shall observe it with my whole heart.” Psa. 119:34
- In prayer “But let him ask in faith, with no doubting … a double-minded man, in all his ways.” James 1:5-8
- In devotion “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart … soul … strength … mind,” Luke 10:27
Danger of Pride – Uzziah. Amaziah's son, Uzziah, started off his reign well. Per 2 Chron. 26:4-5, “He did right in the sight of the LORD … God prospered him.” Unfortunately later, “when he became strong, his heart was so proud that he acted corruptly, and he was unfaithful to the LORD” (2 Chron. 26:16) He even attempted to offer incense as a non-Levitical priest and was struck with leprosy as a result.
Today, too many people let pride get in the way of humbly submitting to God. "Ego" from elevated family background or social/economic status, advanced educational background, or personal success can blind people to the Truth, even when they are wrong. As Proverbs says, "“Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before stumbling. … A man's pride will bring him low, But a humble spirit will obtain honor.” (Prov. 16:18; 29:23)
Influence for Good – Hezekiah. Although Hezekiah's father, King Ahaz, promoted idolatry and shut down the temple in Jerusalem, Hezekiah reversed his evil father's policies and opened/cleansed the temple per 2 Chron. 29. He even called for a celebration of the Passover, to include inviting the Northern Kingdom to come and worship the true God. As a result, "all Israel … pulled down the high places ... in Judah … Ephraim and Manasseh …” (2 Chron. 31:1).
As Christians, we too can be an influence for good, regardless of our upbringing. “You are the light of the world. … Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” (Matt. 5:14-16). This includes reaching out to unbelievers and even our enemies per Luke 6:35, “But love your enemies, and do good…”.
Repentance #1 – Manasseh. Unfortunately the religious reforms King Hezekiah had instituted were immediately reversed by his son Manasseh per 2 Chronicles 33. As verse 9 says, "So Manasseh seduced Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to do more evil than the nations whom the LORD had destroyed before the children of Israel." As punishment, God allowed him to be captured by the Assyrians and carried away to Babylon. Ultimately, Manassah repented, prayed to the Lord, and was allowed to return to Judah where he removed the idolatrous altars he had set up previously. "Nevertheless the people still sacrificed in the high places” per verse 17.
With Manasseh, we see multiple lessons we can learn, including:
- Obey godly parents. “My son, observe the commandment of your father … do not forsake the teaching of your mother;” Prov. 6:20
- Be willing to repent, as with the prodigal son, “but when he came to his senses, …” Luke 15:17.
- While some consequences of sin linger after repentance, we need to have Paul's attitude of “forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 3:13-14)
Repentance #2 – Josiah. In 2 Kings 22-23, we read of Manasseh's grandson, Josiah. After Josiah's father, Amon had plunged Jerusalem back into idolatry, Josiah commanded the repair of the temple. During the process, a copy of the "Book of the Law" was discovered (likely the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Old Testament). When he heard what the Law said, he realized "great is the wrath of the LORD that is aroused against us, because our fathers have not obeyed the words of this book, to do according to all that is written concerning us." (2 Kings 22:13) As a result, he humbled himself, wept before the Lord, repented, and led the Southern Kingdom in perhaps its greatest religious reformation to date. As 2 Kings 23:25 says, "Now before him there was no king like him, who turned to the LORD with all his heart, with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the Law of Moses; nor after him did any arise like him."
It is somewhat uncertain what the discovery of the Book of the Law suggests regarding Josiah's previous access to the Law of Moses. If it was limited, he certainly didn't let ignorance of God's Word be an excuse to not following it. As 2 Tim. 2:15 commands Christians, “Be diligent [study KJV] to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” We also see Josiah's instrumental role in influencing his contemporaries to be reconciled to God. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” (Matt. 5:9)
Rebellion – Zedekiah. By the time Zedekiah was made king by the Babylonians in 2 Kings 24-25, Babylon had already invaded the Southern Kingdom twice. Throughout this period, the prophet Jeremiah had been warning the people about God's wrath at their religious rebellion and pending doom at the hands of the Babylonians. Unfortunately like so many kings before him, Zedekiah persisted in ignoring the warnings. When he led the people in rebellion against the Babylonians yet again, he triggered the third and final siege of Jerusalem. The Babylonians overthrew the city, destroyed the temple, killed Zedekiah's sons, put out his eyes, and forcibly took him to Babylon. This effectively wiped out the Southern Kingdom until some Jews were permitted to return roughly 70 years later.
In Zedekiah (and many of the other kings during this period), we see examples of what we should not do – persist in sin and rebellion to God! As the New Testament exhorts:
- “For all have sinned…” Rom. 3:23
- “unless you repent you will all likewise perish.” Luke 13:3
- “but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.…Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion” Heb. 3:13-15
Conclusions. As we have seen in this short series, the Old Testament abounds with both good and bad examples we can learn from:
- Seek counsel from wise sources (not necessarily your “buddies”).
- Religious “improvements” often aren’t.
- Be careful who your friends are, including whom you date and “fall in love with”.
- Reach out to God in bad times (and in good)
- Don’t be lukewarm.
- Beware the dangers of pride.
- Brighten the corner where you are.
- Don’t wait until a “2x4” hits you to come to your senses and repent.
- Study to avoid ignorance and have moral conviction to adopt what is right.
- Don't be stiff-necked and rebellious.
May we all heed the encouragement of 1 Cor. 10:11: "Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction."