Murder. Assassinations in public. Whole-scale destruction and warfare.
Devotion. Self-sacrifice. Unwavering loyalty.
Welcome to the biblical book of 2 Kings.
For many years I have studied the Old Testament ‘history’ books: 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, 2 Kings, 1 Chronicles and 2 Chronicles (Chronicles are written history accounts about the books of King’s, almost like an in-depth study but with extra bits of details – similar to a person writing a first-person account and then 300 years later, a historian writing about that writing). These six books are written over a span of hundreds of years, and in the order I have them listed in. Here’s a brief background on the books, to give us a basis before moving forward.
1 Samuel and 2 Samuel were written possibly by the prophets Samuel, Nathan and maybe Gad. Both books focus on the early history of Israel, coming out of the period of the Judges (rulers who helped deliver Israel from its enemies) and into the beginnings of the first king of Israel, King Saul. These two books focus on the histories of Samuel, King Saul and then David, who eventually becomes king after Saul’s death.
1 Kings and 2 Kings were written after Samuel, by an unknown author (my Bible states possibly Jeremiah or unknown prophets). The first part 1 Kings focuses on King Solomon (King David’s son and successor) who takes the throne and rules both Israel and Judah (notice I italicized the word both – it will become important soon). As King Solomon becomes more and more famous, wealthy, and powerful – he also starts to slip away from his devotion to God. In 1 Kings 11, it says Solomon had 700 wives and 300 concubines!
Dang bro…on so many levels.
What happens next in 1 Kings 11:4-5 will shake the very core of the nation of Israel, “In Solomon’s old age, they (his wives) turned his heart to worship other gods instead of being completely faithful to the Lord his God, as his father, David had been. Solomon worshiped Ashtoreth, the goddess of the Sidonians, and Molech, the detestable god of the Ammonites.”
Why was Molech described as a “detestable god”?
Number 1: Worshiping this false god led to child sacrifice, offered through fire.
“They have built pagan shrines to Baal in the valley of Ben-Hinnom, and there they sacrifice their sons and daughters to Molech.” Jeremiah 32:35
“Manasseh [a king of Israel] also sacrificed his own son in the fire. He practiced sorcery and divination, and he consulted with mediums and psychics.” 2 Kings 21:6
God actually warned the Israelites back in Moses day not to worship this false god, because of how evil it was. Yet, when Israel’s leaders started to worship Molech (and other gods), the people went along with them – and this led to a downward spiral for everyone for hundreds of years.
Our decisions always have consequences – good or evil, and can have short-term or long-term effects.
King Solomon continues on this destructive path, creating altars and places of worship for his wives pagan gods. Eventually, a man named Jeroboam starts to stir up trouble and when King Rehoboam (Solomon’s son) becomes King after his fathers death, the entire country is split in two and they never reform; divided into the kingdoms of Israel (ruled by Jeroboam) and Judah (King Rehoboam).
I believe these books are a warning to us – a warning that should be heeded. When a nation’s leaders start to turn from God, and focus on other ‘gods’, its society starts to shift with it- bringing instability, poor quality of life and societal morals, and eventually its security down with it. During Biblical times, the culture (especially outside of Israel) widely accepted rulers having many wives. Sure, Solomon went above and beyond that with having more wives than Orange County, but trying to please his wives who worshipped pagan gods (building altars, and even worshipping them himself) ultimately turned his heart away from the Lord.
The warning stands: we can also serve gods.
“Listen bro, I ain’t bowing down to no dumb statues!”
It doesn’t have to be a statue, instead, how about being on your iPhone for 5-7 hours a day? Isn’t that something that you might be worshipping? Maybe it’s shopping, money, vehicles, etc. The definition of worship is, “the feeling or expression of reverence and adoration of a deity(god)”.
If you focus on something so much, putting in all kinds of time, effort, and if it’s usually the first thing you think about, you could very well be treating it like a god. I am reminded of the story, A Christmas Carol, written by Charles Dickens, in particular the scene where Scrooge is visited by the first Spirit, and is drawn to a window overlooking the streets below. He witnesses a ghastly scene of human spirits in the supernatural, tangled and chained by the things they served as gods in their earthly life – money, bank ledgers, musical instruments – pretty much anything you could think of.
I mention an iPhone because I find it difficult when it comes to putting down my phone, which I am personally working on.
Let’s keep a watch today on how much time we spend on ‘things’ and remember to put our focus on the things that matter. Oh, and by the way, people can also be viewed as gods to others. Just ask Hollywood.
Personally, I am choosing to focus on God and working through my struggles, how about you?
“But if you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods of your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates(river)? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.” – Joshua. Joshua 24:15
Christian
Trying to write outdoors while being eaten by little black flies.
The Eason Clan 