2 Kings 18, Psalms 44 & 80

 

Psalm 44

A Couple of Reasons

This Psalm written by the sons of Korah is a difficult one to understand.  Korah was a cousin of Moses and lost his life when he rebelled against the God given authority of Moses. (Numbers 16)  Not only did he rebel but he apparently gathered quite a following of people who also suffered the consequences of rebellion.This Psalm is called a maschill or contemplation which means instruction.  The setting of this Psalm could fit in one of several periods of time in the history of Israel. Many think it was written when Assyria had conquered the nation of Israel, which was the northern kingdom that consisted of ten of the twelve tribes.  Assyria also had captured over 200 of the cities of Judah, and had surrounded Jerusalem.

The northern Kingdom was formed out of rebellion.  In their history they never had a godly king and were very worldly.  They talked the talk but they were like the people described by Paul in the last days as having the form of godliness but denying the power. (2 Timothy 3)

Judah also had its share of rebellious and ungodly kings including Ahaz the father of Hezekiah who was king during the time of Assyria’s invasion of Judah.

When we rebel against God we should always expect problems.  We fall into too many unseen traps and suffer many consequences as the result of rebellion against God.  It is in these times, when surrounded by the consequences of our actions, we need to stop and consider what brought us to this point and remember the former times when God was directing our lives.  This is the real purpose of consequences.  Consequences are a wakeup call to our tendency toward rebellion.

With three grandkids playing baseball I get to spend a lot of time watching games.  I have learned something watching the pitchers.  If batters are getting a lot of hits off the pitcher then the pitcher needs to make an adjustment if he wants to stay in the game.  He needs to quit throwing the pitch that the batters are hitting and throw one that they can’t hit.  The same is true for those who are in rebellion.  When the consequences pile up, it is time to make an adjustment.  We call this repentance.  Griping, complaining, whining, crying, and so on about the consequences is not repentance. Repentance is putting off the old rebellion and turning back to God.

This is what King Hezekiah did for the nation of Judah.  He reopened the temple and reestablished the feasts by which God was worshiped.  When surrounded by the Assyrians he sought God and God delivered Jerusalem defeating the Assyrians in ways they could never have imagined. 

God desires repentance and wants to bless his people but before He can get our attention we need to turn from rebellion.  God has that base covered as well.  He used consequences.         

Every day people ask me how is it going or how am I doing?  I, like many, give the standard answer, fine.  But, how is it really going?  Sometimes we need to reflect on the question and come up with a truthful answer and make some adjustments.  That is the homework for today.  Leviticus 26 would have been good homework for the sons of Korah. 

Grace and Peace

Pastor Dave

Isaiah 32-34

2 Kings 17

Be Wise! Be Ready!

The prophesies we have been reading in the book of Isaiah began back in Chapter 7 when Isaiah went to King Ahaz and told him to ask God for a sign. Ahaz, King of Judah, was considered an evil king who did not follow the Lord. He would not ask for a sign but Isaiah gave him one anyway. The sign was the virgin birth and the coming of our Lord Jesus. Following this Isaiah begins to prophesy of the Assyrian invasion. In these prophesies we read that Assyria would be a type of antichrist who attempts to rule the world during the Great Tribulation. At the end of the Great Tribulation the Lord will come and set up the Millennial Kingdom and this upside down world we live in will be set right side up. Isaiah keeps this up from Chapter 7 to Chapter 35. This is quite a sign and it demonstrates the length God will go to reach a king who is in rebellion against God. I call that mercy.

In our reading today we are told that there is only about one year left before Assyria attacks Samaria, the capital of Israel, and the nation is taken three years later. Twice in our reading today Isaiah calls for the nations to observe and learn from what is about to take place. (Isaiah 33:13 & Isaiah 34.)

The invasion of Assyria is a near fulfillment of the Prophesy. The near fulfillment of the prophesy tells us that the prophesy is true and we need to pay attention to the future fulfillment of this prophesy, the Great Tribulation. What has happened to the ten Tribes of Israel, and more importantly, why it happened, is of great importance to us today. We find out what happened and why in our reading in 2 Kings 17.God was merciful to the nation of Israel even though they did not have one godly king. He sent them prophet after prophet who warned of the coming judgment and destruction and called the people to repentance again and again. The people and the leaders refused to listen and finally time ran out.

I pray we reflect on what is recorded in 2 Kings 17 and examine ourselves to see if we are guilty of the same conduct. Remember these prophesies are yet to be fulfilled. In our reading beginning in 2 Kings 18 tomorrow we will see quite a contrast between Samaria and Jerusalem. Both will face the Assyrian threat but Assyria will not be able to get in Jerusalem. God saved Jerusalem but handed over Samaria to the Assyrians. God in His mercy has made these examples known to us so we can avoid what is about to take place in the future.

Consider these verses. Luke 21:36; Matthew 24:45-51

Be Wise! Be Ready!

Pastor Dave