A Better Example

“Then they will say, ‘Because they abandoned the Lord…and laid hold on other gods and worshipped them and served them.’” – 2 Chronicles 7:22

God’s warning to put nothing before Him, seen again in verse 19, is prevalent throughout the Bible. He doesn’t like it and is very clear about it. The most unique aspect of this particular passage is the lasting consequence God dictates to His people if they choose to serve other gods and worship them. Not only will He bring disaster, but He will also turn the whole scenario into a lesson and illustration for future generations.

When I was teaching, I used to love to tell stories. Often my students who knew about my love for story telling would try to get me to tell stories to kill class time. Regrettably, they were good at it and many minutes were wasted talking about old college roommates and the deadly cat I had growing up. Though some of my stories were just for fun, most of them had a useful lesson to be learned.

Many times my stories included former students who had gone against rules and guidelines and the resulting consequences were not only humorous but also valuable teaching points to help prevent other students from making the same mistake. Unfortunately, there were more than a handful of students who did not heed the warnings and followed the same path as the Israelites becoming another story for me to tell.

Unless it has something to do with wisdom, I don’t want what I do to be made into a proverb or example for future generations. I don’t want God to be able to use my actions and disobedience as an statement of what not to do. I want God to be proud to put me on the victory side of the example pedestal to show off how it should be done. However, I’m still in the class hearing the lessons and more often than not finding myself in the shame side of story. How much longer is it going to take me to finally get it and stop allowing the thrill of ignoring the rules to get the best of me?

Responsibility to Remember

“When all the people of Israel saw the fire come down and the glory of the LORD on the temple, they bowed down with their faces to the ground on the pavement and worshiped and gave thanks to the LORD, saying, ‘For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.’” – 2 Chronicles 7:3

Solomon dedicates his newly constructed temple with a prayer of blessing and thanksgiving to God who in turn responds by presenting his presence and appreciation by means of fire from heaven. Now imagine you are standing there among the crowd of Israelites when that happened. How would you respond?

Yeah, me too. I’d fall on my face so fast I might throw my back out in the process. The people who were there began to shout out praise to God proclaiming the eternal value of his love. Too bad they couldn’t say the same thing about their dedication to their worship to Him. As you can probably imagine, it would not be too long before they had all forgotten about this day and yet again allowed the temptations of the flesh to prevail.

Not to defend their actions, but I can relate to that. How many times have I been taught a lesson just to forget it and make the same mistake again? Too many to count. Even life-changing, monumental moments that compounded conviction with desire to be become more disciplined have been set aside or forgotten in times of laziness, apathy, or peer pressure.

The good news is God Doesn’t give up or forget like we do. He keeps trying. He continues to reach out and reveal Himself to His people. Far be it from me to understand why he would continue to wrestle with a bunch of ungrateful, forgetful, no-good hypocrites, but “His steadfast love endures forever” even when ours does not.

Just a few lines later in this chapter is the popular verse 2 Chronicles 7:14 which reminds us if we will just look to God, and continue to seek Him first, we will see He is always there for us. We are a pathetic people and we need constant reminders. God could pour out fire from the sky everyday but it still wouldn’t be enough to keep our hearts and minds right. Eventually we would get used to it and forget all over again. The cure is a consistent pattern of worship every day is every aspect and element of our daily lives. God has revealed His glory. It is our responsibility to remember.

Give Everything

“Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; bring an offering and come before him! Worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness.” – 1 Chronicles 16:29

I’m not going to lie; it is a little refreshing to move past the repetitive “in God’s favor/out of God’s favor” exchange found in 1 and 2 Kings. However, if my memory serves correct, there is much of the same to follow in the next too books.

Nevertheless, we have this beautiful poem written by David after the ark was returned to Jerusalem that is evocative of prayers offered in Isaiah and of course the Psalms. The entire song has several beautiful lines, but only one that uses the Hebrew word for worship (“shachah” in case you’ve forgotten).

One of the unique aspects of this verse is it provides a basic definition of what true worship should be. “Ascribe” is a fancy word for “give,” which of course means present someone with something. So we are to give to God the recognition and praise He deserves; a response to what He has done and is doing. But what do we give the one being in the universe who really doesn’t need anything? We offer the only thing we have to give: our life – thoughts, actions, language, everything. But it is not enough to just say you’ve given it all. You have to approach Him, direct your gift towards Him, and leave it at His feet. It is a gift after all. Who really wants to be an Indian giver to God?

Worship and giving go hand in hand. If it is not to God then it is to something else. And we have seen in the last several books how anything other than God is a bad idea. There is only One who deserves your worship and only One you should be giving your worship to. When the author of 1 Chronicles tells us to “worship the Lord in the splendor (or beauty) of holiness,” he is literally saying we should clothe ourselves, surround our minds and our bodies, with everything that is right, and pure, and holy. That is how we should worship God: release our grip on everything the world is dangling before us and give Him our everything by living a life that pleases Him.

For My Children’s Children

“For he rebuilt the high places that Hezekiah his father had destroyed, and he erected altars for Baal and made an Asherah, as Ahab king of Israel had done, and worshiped all the host of heaven and served them.” – 2 Kings 21:3 (context: 2 Kings 21)

My biggest fear has always been that my children would stray away from what I tried to teach them and choose a path that does not lead to righteousness. Seriously, I remember as far back as high school thinking how devastated I would be if my kids treated me like some of my friends treated their parents. I was by no means the perfect child, but as I slowly began to realize how wise and right my parents were, the thought of my children’s choices began to change how I behaved.

And reading stories like that of Hezekiah and his son and grandson in 2 Kings does not help ease my fears. Manasseh, Hezekiah’s son, was the polar opposite of his father. In fact, he even went so far as to rebuild the idols his father had destroyed and moved some into the temple of Jerusalem. That would about like an Islamic leader today taking over Israel and deciding to give it all back to the Muslims by erecting monuments to Mohammad and turning synagogues into mosques. He rebelled against his father’s ways and I can’t help but wonder what Hezekiah did wrong and what else I can do to make sure the same thing doesn’t happen to me.

I understand a king has way more responsibilities than I do and the cultural and generational differences have to be recognized. But if you strip down to the raw basics of father and son, what did Hezekiah miss that four generations before him got right? Even three generations later when Manasseh’s grandson, Josiah, ruled Judah and worked diligently to restore God’s favor, it was too late to turn back the anger God had built up against all his father’s had done.

So how do I do it? How do I raise my children in the way they should go so they do not stray from the straight and narrow? I believe it all comes back to how I worship. That outward expression in response to what God is doing and has done in my life must be authentic, consistent, and obvious. My children should see a difference in me as much as I hope and pray every stranger I come in contact with can tell I am filled with a passionate love for my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. If they can’t see that, what are they seeing and how can I expect them to follow anything but my example?

Believe in Something Real

“But if you say to me, ‘We trust in the Lord our God,’ is it not he whose high places and altars Hezekiah has removed, saying to Judah and to Jerusalem, ‘You shall worship before this altar in Jerusalem’?” – 2 Kings 18:22 (Context: 2 Kings 18-19)

I had an atheist friend in college who always challenged me to prove God exists. My argument was always based on faith of which he always shot down as irrelevant and not the hard evidence he was looking for. Recently, someone close to me who doesn’t want to believe God exists (though I’m pretty sure he does) has renewed the atheistic challenge. I’ve tried the same old arguments, Pascal’s Wager, Moral Law, Origin of Existence, et al, and have even tried a few new tricks now having a little seminary under my belt.

This passage in 2 Kings reminds me of something. People are always going to challenge God and God is always going to be God. Sounds pretty simple, but I think it is pretty deep. When you look at the reaction Rabshakeh gave to King Hezekiah’s messengers when they confirmed their defense against the strongest army of the time was based on their faith in God, you realize their were many nations before Judah who had claimed the same defense and failed. How then would anyone expect a powerful nation to react to the idea of God when they consistently conquering people groups who supposedly on God’s team? If God is so powerful, then why does He let his own people be ravaged and overtaken?

But Hezekiah, as well as his father, Ahaz, and many other Judean leaders from the bloodline of David lead their people in the way that was pleasing to the eyes God. Their defense was not superficial, or based on current religious fads, or established out of need to fit in with the society or culture of the region. Their faith and worship was genuine and the Assyrian armies would soon realize this group of God-fearing people was different than the rest.

So what was different this time? God showed up and was God defending his servants. Before Sennacherib could send his armies to invade Judah, 185,000 men were struck down during the night by “an angel of the Lord.” Sennacherib retreated to his homeland to worship his god (2 Kings 19:37) probably to try and figure out why his god let him down. Ironically, but justifiably, he was assonated by his own sons while worshipping his false god.

When people really worship God truthfully and with sincerity, everyone, even atheists who don’t believe in the all powerful, all knowing, eternal, loving, wrathful, grace offering, and forgiveness giving God of the universe, will see the difference. They may not understand it and may be almost impossible to drive the message home, but there will be no denying the true worshippers believe in something real.

Not Giving Up Yet

“And they abandoned all the commandments of the LORD their God, and made for themselves metal images of two calves; and they made an Asherah and worshiped all the host of heaven and served Baal.” – 2 Kings 17:16 (Context: 2 Kings 17)

It used to be a pretty effective tactic to make yourself a sign, stand in the middle of the busiest section of town, and shout to everyone God is angry about their behavior and is readying his wrath. However, somewhere over the last several hundred years or so, people stopped paying attention and decided to ignore the warnings. This chapter in 2 Kings makes me wonder two things: 1) is America just repeating history and 2) what does God have in store for a country that has so many similarities to the people in these chapters?

When you read 2 Kings in its entirety, which is more or less an abbreviated history lesson of all the kings of Judah and Israel, you quickly see a pattern the author adheres to. Simply stated, the kings either did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, or they did not. We can’t know for sure which American leaders have been doing right in the eyes of the Lord but we can surely tell which ones are not. Recent changes in the government and probable changes in the upcoming presidential election could put this country on a full tilt away from God and his will if it hasn’t already begun.

The author of 2 Kings speaks of the Israelites as if all have abandoned their God, but we know it was only the majority, not the entire population. Those who pursued the customs and culture of nations out of God’s will (socialism, secular humanism), built shrines to their newfound admirations (skyscrapers, museums) were stubborn and selfish regarding warnings from God-fearing prophets (post-modernity, existentialism), sacrificed their children for the sake of their idols (abortion, vanity), and downright just chose evil over good.

Yes, I understand there is nothing wrong with skyscrapers and museums. I was referring to the temple-esque form they take to admonish their content or purpose that could be considered idolatry. And yes, I understand we live under a new covenant by the grace and sacrifice of Jesus Christ. However, as you continue to read 2 Kings and see how far off the Israelites worship strayed, you watch them being conquered and ruled by the nations they sought to emulate. I’m not ready to live in a country that allows itself to be overtaken because it’s people refuse to heed the warnings and worship the one and only true God the way he desires to be worshipped.

Be Real

“Then Jehu assembled all the people and said to them, “Ahab served Baal a little, but Jehu will serve him much. Now therefore call to me all the prophets of Baal, all his worshipers and all his priests. Let none be missing, for I have a great sacrifice to offer to Baal. Whoever is missing shall not live.” But Jehu did it with cunning in order to destroy the worshipers of Baal. – 2 Kings 10:18-19 (Context: 2 Kings 9-10)

I was not real familiar with the story of King Jehu until reading this again. He was not a nice man. One could spend ample amount of time arguing whether or not the servant Elisha sent to anoint and crown Jehoshaphat’s son, Jehu, as king of Israel spoke out of turn thereby influencing Jehu to be as violent a king as he was. One might even suggest Jehu’s actions were a way for God to do a little spiritual spring-cleaning by removing idol worshippers from among his people.

Any way you look at it, Jehu was a ruthless man. In so many parts of the world, Christians are still being persecuted, even to the point of death and execution. Imagine being in one of those countries and a newly appointed ruler announces he is changing the rules and wants to embrace Christianity. All you have to do, if you’re a Christian, is join the ruler at a local church for a time of worship. Of course, you don’t realize that once all the Christians are in there, he is going to lock the door and burn the building to the ground with all the believers still inside.

As much as Jehu claimed what he was doing was for the Lord, you find out in Chronicles he was basically a hypocrite. Jehu had a thing for a golden calf and was really just taking out a vengeance on the house of Ahab. We don’t need to burn non-believers or “wrong” believers at the stake, we need to show them our God is the one and only true God.

Those men and women who worshipped Baal did so because someone showed authenticity in their worship for Baal. They follow because it gives the appearance of realness. If we want people to turn to God, our worship for Him must be more sincere and authentic than that of those who worshiped Baal. People need more reality, not more habits.

Give God-advice

“In this matter may the LORD pardon your servant: when my master goes into the house of Rimmon to worship there, leaning on my arm, and I bow myself in the house of Rimmon, when I bow myself in the house of Rimmon, the LORD pardon your servant in this matter.” – 2 Kings 5:18 (Context 2 Kings 5)

My father used to always tell me how to do things and instead of letting me do them the way I thought it should be done, he would just do it his way and hope I learned from watching him. Even though I often went to him for advice, I would get mad when what he had to say did not line up with my way of thinking. Looking back, however, some of the greatest lessons I have ever learned came from trying it my father’s way and realizing he was not only right, but was also looking out for my best interest.

I can remember how I ashamed I was for not trusting my own dad and how proud I felt to have a father who loved me enough to give me the guidance I needed. Now that it is my turn as a father to my two boys, it is my goal to pass along the same love and leadership my dad showed me. I am sure there will be times they will get mad when my guidance does not line up with their logic. But if I am guiding them according to the Word of God as my old man did for me, I will be leading them on the right path.

Naaman, the King of Syria, sought out the council of the respected man of God, Elisha, but was not at all pleased when he sent his servant to greet him and tell him to bath in water he deemed below the standard accustomed to nobility. After the council of one of his servants to follow the advise of Elisha, King Naaman found out the prophet of God was indeed guiding him in the right direction. This revelation led to a change of heart and devotion to follow Elisha’s God and worship him exclusively.

When we live our lives in devotion to God and his will, people notice. Not only do they notice, they will also look to you for advice and guidance. They may not always take your advice, but if your way and worship lines up with God’s commandments, they would be foolish not to.

Just Listen and Obey

But if you turn aside from following me, you or your children, and do not keep my commandments and my statutes that I have set before you, but go and serve other gods and worship them, 7then I will cut off Israel from the land that I have given them, and the house that I have consecrated for my name I will cast out of my sight, and Israel will become a proverb and a byword among all peoples. – 1 Kings 9:5-7

Then they will say, ‘Because they abandoned the LORD their God who brought their fathers out of the land of Egypt and laid hold on other gods and worshiped them and served them. Therefore the LORD has brought all this disaster on them.’” – 1 Kings 9:9

because they have[a] forsaken me and worshiped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, Chemosh the god of Moab, and Milcom the god of the Ammonites, and they have not walked in my ways, doing what is right in my sight and keeping my statutes and my rules, as David his father did. – 1 Kings 11:33

And as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, he took for his wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, and went and served Baal and worshiped him.  – 1 Kings 16:31

He served Baal and worshiped him and provoked the LORD, the God of Israel, to anger in every way that his father had done.  – 1 Kings 22:53

The warnings and consequences for abandoning God to worship an idol are repeated throughout 1 Kings. The leaders of God’s people had to set an example. Of course, the direction went out to everyone, but it was specifically addressed and intended for the Kings and leaders simply because of the influence they had on the rest of the people. If the person you admired and looked up to was worshipping an idol, you probably would to. The more rampant that activity became, the more it angered God. Just think how much better off God’s people and the rest of civilization for that matter would have been if God’s people had just listened and obeyed.

Why Ask Why

And this house will become a heap of ruins. Everyone passing by it will be astonished and will hiss, and they will say, ‘Why has the LORD done thus to this land and to this house?’ Then they will say, ‘Because they abandoned the LORD their God who brought their fathers out of the land of Egypt and laid hold on other gods and worshiped them and served them. Therefore the LORD has brought all this disaster on them.’” – 1 Kings 9:8-9

Most of the time when we hear the question “Why did God do that?” it is in conjunction with something bad that has happened that seems out of God’s character. Like when a young family member dies or when a hurricane or earthquake strike an impoverished area, or when war breaks out between rival nations. People usually wonder how a “loving God” could allow such devastation.

It seems like such a harsh answer to say that God allowed it to happen because of a bigger plan we can’t understand or, as the passage directs, the character of those on the other end of devastation were not members in God’s personal choir. But isn’t possible the truth is exactly that? Story after story in the Old Testament received God’s warning of wrath and many cities ended up bearing the consequence of never heading that warning.

Of course, I can’t sit here and assume to know why God does the things that He does or even pretend to understand why some people seem to receive harsher consequences over others. All I know is His word does not change and neither does His character. So if it pleased Him to warn a king thousands of years ago, this pauper is going to head the same warning today and give Him His worship due.