2 Kings

When a ruler dies it is the opportune moment for others to rebel. Fortunately, Moab was on the other side of the Dead Sea, so it was cumbersome for Moabites to attack Israel... though they did, frequently.

Similarly, attacks are common when Christian witness and authority is lost. We see this throughout the Western world today. Satan, though powerful, knows better than to attack when Christians are strong. Today, Christians are not strong, but weak and weak-spirited. They hide from trouble and refuse to speak out when evil men reign in any sphere of life. It is why homosexuality has gained power and Islam is following hard behind their victory. Both are wicked, but the latter will destroy the former if and when it gains absolute power in any Western country. It is how evil works – one evil will destroy another! If this happens it will be an example of God’s judgment.

The difference between God’s reasoning and actions, and ours, is like the difference between east and west… the two do not meet. Here we see God acting in His might and power, and doing something that will horrify liberal ‘Christians’ who want God to act more like themselves!

We should be thankful that God does not act more like us… if He did act like us, we would never be saved and never know God’s presence. Whatever He does is for a reason, a reason we often cannot know or understand. We are finite and he is infinite. How can the lesser possibly know what the greater is doing? It is like a man who did not pass lower school grade arithmetic pretending to understand the complexities of post-university mathematics! Even with intellectual capacity, Man can only make 2 + 2 equal five! In terms of God, we should learn to know our place – we are creatures, not the Creator.

In this chapter we see yet another true miracle, when water was given in the desert, to enable an army to survive. God opened Elisha’s mouth and he spoke the words. He did not think of what to say – God just filled his mouth, and the miracle came to pass. Do you believe it? Or, do you think, like many modern ‘Christians’, that what happened was just a natural phenomenon?

Wrong thinking in ANY part of scripture reduces our ability to think properly and biblically. When we insert human ideas into the Bible, our spiritual lives suffer.

God did many miracles through Elijah and even more through Elisha – though it is likely there were far more than we read about in scripture. News of these quickly spread throughout Israel and surrounding nations, proving not only God, but the man He used to bring the miracles to effect. Note that there was no guesswork by Elisha, and no hesitation, for God spoke directly to him, and immediately brought about what was prophesied, even the raising of the dead.

Today, we desperately need to see God intervening in the world, as a sign of His presence and help in such evil days. On the other hand, though desperate for His answers, we tend to dilute our faith and heed fear and doubt in our hearts; we seek His face and yet ignore it when He gazes at us. The world is dark, and wicked men are running amok, bringing chaos and sin to the people, who, regardless of the sheer poison they are imbibing, eat and drink on. These are the last days, yet Christians do not recognise it. They say they do, but they continue as they always have, thereby displaying lack of faith and lack of proper respect toward the Lord. So, even if God acts miraculously, they will not see it.

All preachers, teachers and pastors should be called by God to office, otherwise they are fakes. Genuine men of God speak from God through the prompting of the Holy Spirit. Here we see this in Elisha, and we also see the folly of not listening to such men... the end result was awful, and it affected everyone in the family. We either believe God totally, or we deceive ourselves and do not.

In this chapter we see an unbeliever receiving mercy from the Lord, whereas a man of His chosen people was judged for his sin. Never assume you are safe from God’s wrath just because you are saved! God does not always warn His people of pending judgment or doom. The scale of the sin we commit is not the decider of our fate. God will cause us great harm for a seemingly small thing, if we claim to be His and yet continue to sin. He will then visit upon us a judgment that might cause grave change in our lives. We must then thank Him for not sending us death, and immediately repent and change our lives!

Elisha received immediate and direct help from God on many occasions. He was the prime prophet amongst other prophets, and the Lord wanted to show that Elisha was speaking from Him, a representative of the One True God.

This is not necessarily all in the past. We may not be called like Elisha, and will not have the extraordinary power he displayed from God, but every one of us can know God’s help. We do not see it much today because of our sins. We call upon Him as we should, but our hearts are slow and our minds dimmed. We at once call to Him for help, yet still sin and refuse to live holy lives. And so the great things for us are not seen or experienced. Instead, cultic people such as charismatics lay claim to great miracles and direct words from God, when they are deceived and lying.

Though their words and actions are false, the things they refer to are ours, but in a real way. While charismatics and others pretend to know God and display power, the ‘real thing’ is meant to be part of our lives. Not the flamboyant nonsense of the actors in the churches, but the quiet truth found in those who are loyal to the Lord and obedient. Instead of saying God will not answer you, try praising Him, repenting, and changing your life to comply with His will. Then you will see and hear a very different solution, direct from God.

There are days, and there are days! Most days might seem ordinary, without surprises or great commotion and a few might seem as if the sky has fallen on top of us. Whatever happens, God is in control. We usually cannot accept it, and we grumble because those days give us a tough time, but it is all in His plan.

Christians are specially loved by God and He will do whatever is necessary to build up our faith and spiritual strength. This involves hardship and trauma. A new sword can be left as it is – forged steel; it will do its work. But, to make that sword finer, stronger and more reliable, it must be forged and then immediately thrust into cold water. And to increase even that hardening process, it can then be dipped hot into a bucket of carbon. Christians can live with no hardening agent at all, but when trouble comes they will not stand fast. That is why we all need proofing, like swords.

Here we see the people of Israel sorely pushed to their limits by an enemy, and a king who thought it alright to find answers without going to Elisha. Christians must go to God, and read His word every day, if they wish to be strong and to know answers. But, sadly, most only go to God when it suits them or when their broken cisterns have not given them water… and most Christians ignore horrible truths, and do nothing about them. The true believer speaks to God constantly, listens, and then acts in holy manner. Most, however, go through daily life in their own strength, and so their spiritual strength is nil. They can be killed by their ignorance.

We continue to see how God helps the righteous. In this case, Elisha. He was the second most powerful man in Israel, because he spoke the word of God. In their right minds kings listened. But, when they did not, bad things happened.

The same thing happens in our own day. When Christians listen and obey, godly things happen. But, when they fail, align with evil, or go their own way, the opposite occurs. Then, they wonder why this or that has happened to them! God wants only the best for us and he will reward true righteousness. There are times when He will allow, or evens end, bad things, but only so that we will come through them and be even greater in our faith. As believers, unlike unbelievers, we have a choice to do good or evil. Which are you living in today?

Few Christians in this wicked world acknowledge God’s wrath. Instead, they pour out compassion on those who deserve only death by God’s judgments. This is a sign of the latter times, when those who claim God’s name work against it by embracing those who God condemns. The fate of kings and queens in this chapter are the direct result of their own wickedness. Never think that our sins are just forgotten because a passage of time does not see us punished! God watches us and often waits, so that he strikes us down when we think all is well. Am I being melodramatic? No, it is spiritual reality. Be warned... our modern days are ripe for God’s anger to burst forth; we must repent and be ready, and not be recipients of the wrath to come. Note that I speak of these things in earnest lately. It is because I truly see God acting very soon. I can only warn you to flee what is to come by obeying God.

Here we come across a very graphic illustration of God’s wrath, and how He brings about His judgment upon a nation and king for their sins. Christians should see this as a warning, that God will not tolerate our evils for long, and may strike at us without further warning. We see how God sometimes uses bad people to bring about such judgments, even when they later continue in sin. Today, we must see the onslaught of Islamic murderers in this light – they are being used as God’s judgment upon a lax and sinful Church. The only protection is to stand up firmly, claim Christ as Lord, obey holy laws, and live as we ought. Otherwise, the hordes of Islam WILL overwhelm us very soon.

Much of what we read in Kings is covered with blood. It is very different to how modern Christians think of warfare. They are quite content to think only of spiritual warfare... but how would they react to physical warfare against them, by evil enemies? Almost no Christians are willing to stand against an enemy, whether physical or spiritual. How many “fight the good fight” in the spiritual marketplace? Do they run and hide? Do they turn on those who oppose wickedness and express disgust, thus joining the enemy of God?

This kind of evil has occurred throughout history, and today we can see such treachery in ‘Christian’ support of homosexuality, Islam and even bad environmentalism, all of which hate God and truth. As I say to our church, what happens in 2 Kings is very up to date! Situations and actions are the same in any age, when God is forgotten or treated shabbily.

How lax Christians are today! In this chapter we see how the upkeep of God’s house, the great Temple, was not undertaken, leading to widespread disrepair. In our own day we show a similar lack of respect for what God has given us, by way of laxity and disinterest in the things of God in our lives. Those who teach them and whose lives are governed by God alone, are not shown support either, so the things of God in modern times are thrown into disrepair and have no priority for believers, whose disinterest causes the world to laugh at us and to take advantage. I say it again – we are not couch-children of God! We are warriors who must stand firm with the King, Whose banner is constantly under threat by enemies on all sides. It is better to die loyal to Him, than to kneel to the enemy!

There are consequences resulting from an inadequate obedience or response to God’s demands. This chapter shows us how, and comments are for today’s believers who are unwise in such dark days.

Verses 1&2

1. In the three and twentieth year of Joash the son of Ahaziah king of Judah Jehoahaz the son of Jehu began to reign over Israel in Samaria, and reigned seventeen years.

2. And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, and followed the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which made Israel to sin; he departed not therefrom.

When Joash king of Judah was thirty years of age, Jehoahaz became king of Israel in Samaria. He lasted 17 years as ruler. Like the previous kings and those who followed, he was a wicked king, repeating the sins of all the others (apart from David, and Solomon in his earlier days). It is true that a corrupt root produces corrupt fruit. Even today, Christians refuse to face up to the corruption of their teachers, pastors, preachers, and corrupt fellow believers, allowing them to continue unchallenged and unrebuked, though God is angry with them. It is why our churches are so rotten, and why Christians are being subjected to persecution.

This chapter is important (as are others) because it shows a vital fact – that when God chooses us, he also protects us to a certain extent and loves us though we sin. It does NOT mean we are free to sin, only that God keeps His promises.

Verses 1-4

1. In the second year of Joash son of Jehoahaz king of Israel reigned Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah.

2. He was twenty and five years old when he began to reign, and reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Jehoaddan of Jerusalem.

3. And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, yet not like David his father: he did according to all things as Joash his father did.

4. Howbeit the high places were not taken away: as yet the people did sacrifice and burnt incense on the high places.

Once again we find a sad unmitigated history of the Hebrew kings and the people. Even when a king of Judah was good, he still allowed evil worshippers to continue. And the kings of Israel (after Solomon) were all bad, corrupting the people chosen by God, and so defrauding the Lord of His rightful worship and honour... except when it suited them. It is not much different today, when a thousand world cities plan to erect copies of the arch that led to Baal’s temple!

In more ‘religious’ ways, most churches continue in false traditions, being little better than their fully-pagan counterparts in the world. I do not hesitate to say that the two calves are being worshipped in churches, just as they were in ancient Israel. They are not the physical calves, but their spiritual prodigies. In this way people can claim Christian allegiance and still continue in pagan beliefs and practices. The latest of these are the charismatics. Possibly the oldest is Roman Catholicism. (Both are connected). So, when reading this very sad list of kings who were bad, look inwards and look at your local churches. Then, look at your own sinful hearts for following them. And remember the way God warned the churches in John’s Revelation. Be wary of failing, be quick to repent.

Today, many Christians allow, and enjoin, false worship. They borrow pagan symbols and ideas. They show sympathy for evils such as Romanism and Islam. They do not speak against all the other cults and occults, and meekly stand by as ‘authorities’ silence them. There are almost no real men in our world to raise God’s standard in battle. Instead, as we see in this chapter, they appease and encourage pagans and do what they do, thus acting against Almighty God, Who watches them with anger. Do not doubt that these infringements are noted by God and He will exact punishment. They will not escape His anger, though they boast of salvation.

As we see the end times unfolding before us, we see many cords being pulled together by Satan, through his envoys. It does not matter who they are – godless activity is recognisable. But, when these activities can be seen in our churches, we can be assured that God will treat them as He did the bad churches in Revelation. The Lord graciously gives us pastors of His own choosing, and they do His bidding (Jeremiah 3:15). But, many of today’s pastors are professionals, not godly men, and they are condemned by God (Jeremiah 10:21). They have destroyed God’s vineyard (Jeremiah 12:10), and the people follow them, to their shame (Jeremiah 22:22). Such pastors are doomed to destruction (Jeremiah 23:1,2). Do not be a part of this end-times folly. Come away from it and worship God truly.

I constantly urge those who attend our Bible studies to apply what they read in 2 Kings to what is happening today. In this chapter, the closeness to today is almost frightening. Here we read what God thought of the paganised Jews. The same anger is surely aimed at us today! As we read this chapter think of it applied to the evils that are now smashing their way across the world with demonic force. Then, change your life. Follow the Lord you claim to have followed thus far! I mean everybody, including myself.

Verses 1&2

1. In the twelfth year of Ahaz king of Judah began Hoshea the son of Elah to reign in Samaria over Israel nine years.

2. And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, but not as the kings of Israel that were before him.

When Ahaz the king of Judah had ruled for 12 years, the final king of Israel, Hoshea, began to reign. He lasted nine years before the nation was lost to its own history. He was a bad king, but not as evil as others before him. Is that a matter of praise? No. Sin is sin, and anyone in a position of authority that allows or encourages people to sin is held liable by God. This includes bad pastors and preachers... and there are huge numbers of these... some held in high regard.

In this chapter we read an echo of Satan’s challenge to Adam and Eve... “Hath God said...?” Hezekiah trusted in the Lord to save the nation, but the Assyrians taunted him, saying that the gods of other subdued nations did nothing to save them, so why did Judah think their God could save them from the might of Assyria? It is the same taunt uttered today by loud-mouthed atheists and Islamists. How do you respond?

Verses 1-3

1. Now it came to pass in the third year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, that Hezekiah the son of Ahaz king of Judah began to reign.

2. Twenty and five years old was he when he began to reign; and he reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem. His mother's name also was Abi, the daughter of Zachariah.

3. And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that David his father did.

25 year old Hezekiah began to rule Judah when Hoshea had ruled Israel for three years. Hezekiah (‘Jehovah is my strength’) ruled for 29 years. His rule was just and good, as he served the Lord “according to all that David his father did” - a commendation from God Himself and one we should seek for ourselves.

Trust God, or not? In EVERY circumstance, or not? Even if it appears the situation is hopeless? Even when life becomes very, very hard? Even when the wolves are clawing at your door? Personal perception of life can be skewed by emotions and faulty thoughts. God is never moved by circumstances or anything else. For Him all things are possible and there is no such thing as something that is too hard. Do you believe it? Really?

Israel’s line of kings had already been removed by God. With the enthronement of Hezekiah’s son, we see the end of the reign of the kings of Judah, by way of exile to Babylon. After that there is about 400 years of silence. God warned the people that by choosing a king to rule them, they forsook the reign of God directly guiding them in the paths of righteousness. He warned that by electing to have an human king, they would come to regret it, as each king imposed his own demands.

Today, when we refuse to live our lives after the rule of God, we sin, and we eat poison. We see the results every day on earth. We must get back to God as our direct King (because He rules whether or not we want Him to!), and until we do so we will be ravaged by earthly rulers, as they become progressively wicked and haters of God and His people.

In this chapter we see that the ethos of the righteous king of Judah did not last after his death – not even for a day. Hezekiah was holy before the Lord, but as soon as his son, Manasseh took over, the decline in Judah was rapid and foul.

Today, Christians think the righteousness of their forefathers, who founded their local church, is enough to cover the church for all its life. But, as I have said before, the holiness of a local church resides only in the holiness of its present members. It is not passed on like a baton, nor may we live off the spiritual food it had before... the original manna has rotted away.

Like Judah, any local church can fall backwards into an evil pit, very quickly. As always, remember the Old Testament is not just an historical narrative – its pages supply us with information we can readily apply to everyday modern lives.

The original book of the law, the law of Moses, was kept in the Temple at Jerusalem. But, wickedly, it was hidden away and the kings of Judah and Israel did not enquire of it nor knew its location. This is like ridding the world of our Bibles and not knowing what they said from God.

The ‘lost’ book or Torah was then found in the reign of king Josiah, to the complete surprise of the chief priest, Hilkiah. He immediately took it to the king and read portions of it to him. The king, too, was completely taken aback. But, he realised just how awful this discovery was – that God would punish the nation for shutting the book away, not to be read or obeyed.

Of course, like Israel, Judah was aware that Moses had written such a book or scrolls. They knew its history and its purpose. Yet, they deliberately ignored it and finally shut it away in a cupboard or niche.

Modern day Christians rarely read their Bibles. They do not give it the place given to it by the Lord. They do not read it to find God’s word to them in our day, nor are they particularly interested in obeying what it says. And most Christians are arrogant enough to think they can apply their personal ‘interpretation’ to it. We KNOW this because of the awful state of the churches, and of most Christians. God WILL judge us for this laxity. Indeed, He has already started to show His wrath – by way of homosexuals, environmentalists, charismatics, atheists, false religionists, and Islamists. Why do you think the world is as it is? Why do you think true Christians are now cornered in a ghetto? And why do you think many Christians ignore God’s word and display the same marks of evil found in the world at large? God will protect those who humble themselves before Him... but the rest will suffer far more.

2 Kings 23

To use a modern slang term, Josiah was now ‘all fired up’. He knew what he had to do and went ahead with it, regardless of what the nation or the priests really thought. The king feared God rather than men. Do YOU fear God? If you do, you will know that God gives us very clear commands – do you follow them? If you do not, then you could very well draw God’s wrath upon yourself. This is what Josiah hoped to avoid... but, while God gave him, and only him, freedom from His wrath, God determined that His anger would indeed come upon Judah, and so the beginning of the end was nigh and reflected in Judah’s dying throes.

Those Christians who reject or fool around with God and His word should beware; His wrath WILL be poured upon all who think they can get away with it. You might think you have escaped to now – but God acts swiftly and decisively. Today, you are comfortable and enjoy your life. But, in the next few moments, your life could come crashing down, everything you ever worked for destroyed, and what you thought was a rosy future is dashed to the dirt. I know this to be personally true, and this is why I warn readers of a doom that WILL befall all believers who do not live holy lives.

It took over two centuries for Jehovah to finally act against Judah, and the time of His wrath was now very close. God had already judged both Judah and Israel for much of their combined histories. No doubt their tribes thought they could just carry on as usual, mistaking God’s quietness for His complacency. God is never complacent, nor does He ever forget, or cover-over, sin. The Lord gave Israel and Judah opportunity after opportunity to repent, come away from idols, and to obey. But, whenever a good king died, his righteous rule was immediately changed back to idolatry and sin.

Most Christians are like this! They have a pang of conscience every so often, and then revert back to their inward and even outward sins. Some will say that I am being too harsh, or too general, but I am only talking about what I observe, and there are many indicators of how individual Christians ignore God in their hearts while acknowledging Him with their external activities. I should know, because I have done, and occasionally (rarely) still do, the same things. I am no better than those I write for, and those I teach! Therefore, every one of us must own our sins and repent. Time is now very short – obey God and live.

In this the final chapter of 2 Kings, and the final days of the kingdom of Judah, I see the final days of Britain, and what it will be like if we do not remove ourselves from the European Union. The similarity between ancient Judah and modern Britain is striking. The EU views Christianity with contempt, and is attempting to replace us with the slaves of Islam. If the people vote to stay in the EU, they will become as the last king of Judah – given a reward of being brought out of prison and fed as a lesser king by the totalitarian rulers of Europe. The ex-king of Judah wanted for nothing, except freedom and the rule of God. Likewise for us in the EU. Will we become as the last king of Judah, given everything we need by a socialist dictatorship, unable to resist the whims of a cruel Master, but have our throne lower than that of the king of Babylon? Or, will we fight enslavement?

Judah was destroyed because of its continual worship of other gods. Today, we do the same thing, with sins ranging from holding to self-interpretation of scripture, to public support for wicked rulers and evil movements, to tolerating evil sexual perversions. In Judah’s day, God sent equally wicked enemies to subdue and remove Judah. As believers we have let down our Lord, and allowed sin to determine our futures. Any coming enslavement would be our rightful penalty… but, we who know what is happening MUST repent immediately and seek God’s favour, if not with freedom, then at least with holy mercy that we may live. These are my sincere thoughts as we end this Book and look towards either a future of freedom, or a non-future of enslavement. But, anyway, we are seeing the beginning of the end.