Results of The Captivity

A father’s two daughters were begging him for permission to see the latest R-rated movie. It has just a little bad language and just a few scenes that are bad,” they reasoned. The father baked some brownies for his daughters. They dug in and commented on how much they … More

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After a lengthy review of Israel’s sin the writer covers Israel’s deportation (v. 24). The policy of Assyria toward conquered lands was to deport many of the most influential inhabitants. Then many leading Assyrians were imported to take their place. Because these new people did not worship the Lord, He sent lions among them (v. 25).

The Assyrians interpreted this as an act of punishment from the God of Israel (v . 26). Since they did not know how to deal with this they reported the situation to the king of Assyria. The king responded by contacting an Israelite priest (v. 27). He was to teach the people about God and how to worship Him (v. 28). No doubt he was contaminated with calf worship because the writer states that these people worshiped the Lord and also their god. This review of history shows how the Samaritan people came into being (vv. 29-33). They were racially a mixture of Israelites and various other near Eastern peoples. These new settlers in Israel worshiped God without giving up their heathen customs (vv. 34-41). True worshipers need to please Him and not add Him to their collection.

Application

Many people today claim to believe in God but at the same time refuse to give up attitudes and actions that God denounces in His Word. God cannot be added to the values we already have. He must come first (Matt. 6:33) and His Word must shape our actions and attitudes.

II Kings 17:24-41 (English Standard Version)


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