November 3, 2023

When we're influenced by the world . . .

2 Kings 15-16

Jordan Roberts
Friday's Devo

November 3, 2023

Friday's Devo

November 3, 2023

Friday's Devo

November 3, 2023

Friday's Devo

November 3, 2023

Big Idea

Forgetting God's Word is the first step away from faithfulness.

Key Verse | 2 Kings 16:3-4

[B]ut he walked in the way of the kings of Israel. He even burned his son as an offering, according to the despicable practices of the nations whom the LORD drove out before the people of Israel. And he sacrificed and made offerings on the high places and on the hills and under every green tree.

2 Kings 15-16

Azariah Reigns in Judah

1 In the twenty-seventh year of Jeroboam king of Israel, Azariah the son of Amaziah, king of Judah, began to reign. 2 He was sixteen years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty-two years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Jecoliah of Jerusalem. 3 And he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, according to all that his father Amaziah had done. 4 Nevertheless, the high places were not taken away. The people still sacrificed and made offerings on the high places. 5 And the LORD touched the king, so that he was a leper 1 15:5 Leprosy was a term for several skin diseases; see Leviticus 13 to the day of his death, and he lived in a separate house. 2 15:5 The meaning of the Hebrew word is uncertain And Jotham the king's son was over the household, governing the people of the land. 6 Now the rest of the acts of Azariah, and all that he did, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah? 7 And Azariah slept with his fathers, and they buried him with his fathers in the city of David, and Jotham his son reigned in his place.

Zechariah Reigns in Israel

8 In the thirty-eighth year of Azariah king of Judah, Zechariah the son of Jeroboam reigned over Israel in Samaria six months. 9 And he did what was evil in the sight of the LORD, as his fathers had done. He did not depart from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which he made Israel to sin. 10 Shallum the son of Jabesh conspired against him and struck him down at Ibleam and put him to death and reigned in his place. 11 Now the rest of the deeds of Zechariah, behold, they are written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel. 12 (This was the promise of the LORD that he gave to Jehu, “Your sons shall sit on the throne of Israel to the fourth generation.” And so it came to pass.)

Shallum Reigns in Israel

13 Shallum the son of Jabesh began to reign in the thirty-ninth year of Uzziah 3 15:13 Another name for Azariah king of Judah, and he reigned one month in Samaria. 14 Then Menahem the son of Gadi came up from Tirzah and came to Samaria, and he struck down Shallum the son of Jabesh in Samaria and put him to death and reigned in his place. 15 Now the rest of the deeds of Shallum, and the conspiracy that he made, behold, they are written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel. 16 At that time Menahem sacked Tiphsah and all who were in it and its territory from Tirzah on, because they did not open it to him. Therefore he sacked it, and he ripped open all the women in it who were pregnant.

Menahem Reigns in Israel

17 In the thirty-ninth year of Azariah king of Judah, Menahem the son of Gadi began to reign over Israel, and he reigned ten years in Samaria. 18 And he did what was evil in the sight of the LORD. He did not depart all his days from all the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which he made Israel to sin. 19 Pul 4 15:19 Another name for Tiglath-pileser III (compare verse 29) the king of Assyria came against the land, and Menahem gave Pul a thousand talents 5 15:19 A talent was about 75 pounds or 34 kilograms of silver, that he might help him to confirm his hold on the royal power. 20 Menahem exacted the money from Israel, that is, from all the wealthy men, fifty shekels 6 15:20 A shekel was about 2/5 ounce or 11 grams of silver from every man, to give to the king of Assyria. So the king of Assyria turned back and did not stay there in the land. 21 Now the rest of the deeds of Menahem and all that he did, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel? 22 And Menahem slept with his fathers, and Pekahiah his son reigned in his place.

Pekahiah Reigns in Israel

23 In the fiftieth year of Azariah king of Judah, Pekahiah the son of Menahem began to reign over Israel in Samaria, and he reigned two years. 24 And he did what was evil in the sight of the LORD. He did not turn away from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which he made Israel to sin. 25 And Pekah the son of Remaliah, his captain, conspired against him with fifty men of the people of Gilead, and struck him down in Samaria, in the citadel of the king's house with Argob and Arieh; he put him to death and reigned in his place. 26 Now the rest of the deeds of Pekahiah and all that he did, behold, they are written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel.

Pekah Reigns in Israel

27 In the fifty-second year of Azariah king of Judah, Pekah the son of Remaliah began to reign over Israel in Samaria, and he reigned twenty years. 28 And he did what was evil in the sight of the LORD. He did not depart from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which he made Israel to sin.

29 In the days of Pekah king of Israel, Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria came and captured Ijon, Abel-beth-maacah, Janoah, Kedesh, Hazor, Gilead, and Galilee, all the land of Naphtali, and he carried the people captive to Assyria. 30 Then Hoshea the son of Elah made a conspiracy against Pekah the son of Remaliah and struck him down and put him to death and reigned in his place, in the twentieth year of Jotham the son of Uzziah. 31 Now the rest of the acts of Pekah and all that he did, behold, they are written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel.

Jotham Reigns in Judah

32 In the second year of Pekah the son of Remaliah, king of Israel, Jotham the son of Uzziah, king of Judah, began to reign. 33 He was twenty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Jerusha the daughter of Zadok. 34 And he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, according to all that his father Uzziah had done. 35 Nevertheless, the high places were not removed. The people still sacrificed and made offerings on the high places. He built the upper gate of the house of the LORD. 36 Now the rest of the acts of Jotham and all that he did, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah? 37 In those days the LORD began to send Rezin the king of Syria and Pekah the son of Remaliah against Judah. 38 Jotham slept with his fathers and was buried with his fathers in the city of David his father, and Ahaz his son reigned in his place.

Ahaz Reigns in Judah

1 In the seventeenth year of Pekah the son of Remaliah, Ahaz the son of Jotham, king of Judah, began to reign. 2 Ahaz was twenty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. And he did not do what was right in the eyes of the LORD his God, as his father David had done, 3 but he walked in the way of the kings of Israel. He even burned his son as an offering, 7 16:3 Or made his son pass through the fire according to the despicable practices of the nations whom the LORD drove out before the people of Israel. 4 And he sacrificed and made offerings on the high places and on the hills and under every green tree.

5 Then Rezin king of Syria and Pekah the son of Remaliah, king of Israel, came up to wage war on Jerusalem, and they besieged Ahaz but could not conquer him. 6 At that time Rezin the king of Syria recovered Elath for Syria and drove the men of Judah from Elath, and the Edomites came to Elath, where they dwell to this day. 7 So Ahaz sent messengers to Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria, saying, “I am your servant and your son. Come up and rescue me from the hand of the king of Syria and from the hand of the king of Israel, who are attacking me.” 8 Ahaz also took the silver and gold that was found in the house of the LORD and in the treasures of the king's house and sent a present to the king of Assyria. 9 And the king of Assyria listened to him. The king of Assyria marched up against Damascus and took it, carrying its people captive to Kir, and he killed Rezin.

10 When King Ahaz went to Damascus to meet Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria, he saw the altar that was at Damascus. And King Ahaz sent to Uriah the priest a model of the altar, and its pattern, exact in all its details. 11 And Uriah the priest built the altar; in accordance with all that King Ahaz had sent from Damascus, so Uriah the priest made it, before King Ahaz arrived from Damascus. 12 And when the king came from Damascus, the king viewed the altar. Then the king drew near to the altar and went up on it 13 and burned his burnt offering and his grain offering and poured his drink offering and threw the blood of his peace offerings on the altar. 14 And the bronze altar that was before the LORD he removed from the front of the house, from the place between his altar and the house of the LORD, and put it on the north side of his altar. 15 And King Ahaz commanded Uriah the priest, saying, “On the great altar burn the morning burnt offering and the evening grain offering and the king's burnt offering and his grain offering, with the burnt offering of all the people of the land, and their grain offering and their drink offering. And throw on it all the blood of the burnt offering and all the blood of the sacrifice, but the bronze altar shall be for me to inquire by.” 16 Uriah the priest did all this, as King Ahaz commanded.

17 And King Ahaz cut off the frames of the stands and removed the basin from them, and he took down the sea 8 16:17 Compare 1 Kings 7:23 from off the bronze oxen that were under it and put it on a stone pedestal. 18 And the covered way for the Sabbath that had been built inside the house and the outer entrance for the king he caused to go around the house of the LORD, because of the king of Assyria. 19 Now the rest of the acts of Ahaz that he did, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah? 20 And Ahaz slept with his fathers and was buried with his fathers in the city of David, and Hezekiah his son reigned in his place.

Footnotes

[1] 15:5 Leprosy was a term for several skin diseases; see Leviticus 13
[2] 15:5 The meaning of the Hebrew word is uncertain
[3] 15:13 Another name for Azariah
[4] 15:19 Another name for Tiglath-pileser III (compare verse 29)
[5] 15:19 A talent was about 75 pounds or 34 kilograms
[6] 15:20 A shekel was about 2/5 ounce or 11 grams
[7] 16:3 Or made his son pass through the fire
[8] 16:17 Compare 1 Kings 7:23

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Dive Deeper | 2 Kings 15-16

Growing up, I wanted to be JUST like my sisters. I thought that in order to be just as cool, I had to be just like them. While this idea seems so silly, this was the start of me falling into a cycle of trying to be exactly like whomever I was around. I would alter my personality and even beliefs to ensure that I would be accepted. I had no idea how easily influenced I was by the people I spent my time with. However, in God's kindness, He revealed to me that I was to be in the world, but not of it.

In 2 Kings, we see that two kings—Azariah and Ahaz—fall into this cycle as well. While their reigns were vastly different, they both were marked by pride and were influenced by the nations around them, ultimately leading them to their destruction (Proverbs 16:18). They became arrogant, unholy, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, all the while having the appearance of godliness to their people (2 Timothy 3:2-5). The worst of it all, was that they were convinced that what they were doing was right.

Throughout the chapters, we see the rise and fall of many kings and the way that they are easily influenced by other nations as well. But through every reign, God puts so many of His attributes on display for us to see. His holiness, sovereignty, and mercy are shown in the way that He responds to each king.

While we remain on this side of heaven, God calls us to love people well, while showing them the grace that He has lavished on us through Christ, all the while abstaining "from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul." (1 Peter 2:11) He wants us to be influencers for the kingdom, rather than be influenced by the world.

Father, would you help us to live and worship You according to Your Word and not according to the ways of this world.

This month's memory verse

16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

– 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Discussion Questions

1. In what areas of your life are you prone to be influenced by the world?

2. Who or what influences you in a worldly way and how can you guard against that influence that might cause you to compromise your faith?

3. Ahaz had many people he could look up to. Yet, over and over again, he chose not to follow them. It's so important to be mindful of whom you are following in life. Who is your role model? Why do you follow this person?

As we gear up to release even more features for Join The Journey in 2025, our staff team, unfortunately, no longer has the margin to continue to support the comment functionality. We have big things in store for Join The Journey 2025. Stay tuned!

HS

Hugh Stephenson

Good morning, Jordan, Love your point about Israel being influenced by the nations around them. I can link directly to my being influenced by the culture around me, (1 Corinthians 15:33). A key lesson I learned in re:gen was that if I wanted to live a different life, I was going to have to find new playmates, new playgrounds, and a new playlist, (2 Corinthians 5:17). I was struck by a teaching in this fall’s curriculum on Isaiah in Summit, (Men’s Bible Study). The point was made that Israel was surrounded by hostile nations; Syria, Egypt, Philistia, Ammon, Moab & Edom. That is a lot of bad characters. Then the writer pointed out that being in the center of that also meant that they had the ability to influence these other neighbors towards Yahweh. Which links me to Genesis 22:18. What this also tells me is that even though the culture around me is very hostile that I can be a light to the nations just as God told the people in Genesis. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Q1. A primary issue for me is the idol of a life that has ease, comfort, rest, fun, enjoyment, pleasure, etc. That means I run TO it and AWAY from anything that presents hassles, inconvenience, tech support, customer service, loud restaurants, conflict etc. Feel free to add your own list in the comments. As almost always is the case, the issue is “Hugh Big, God Small’. After having it on the “to be read” list for many years I am now digging into Tozer’s “Knowledge of the Holy” as well as Brother Lawrence. Others to follow. Reading these leads me to a much better understanding of how small I really am. I must fully engage in the call of my creator to value a deep and abiding relationship with Jesus above all else. No exceptions. (John 3:30, Hebrews 12:1-3). Q2. Influences? Pop up adds on my phone, movies, TV shows, wandering around NorthPark, junk e-mail, 2nd looks, lingering looks, comparison, envy, pride etc. Social risk pulls me away from faith conversations or responses that might cause me to get a negative reaction or response. People pleasing is much diminished versus years ago but is still a real risk. Another tool of Satan to draw me off mission. Q3. My roles model(s)? In the last decade+ of discipleship the Lord has blessed me immensely with many men who are great examples, teach me well, and model God’s man in a powerful and faithful way. When tempted, the Spirt will bring to mind the question, “What would you do or say if “X” was standing here with you?” That’s really convicting. By God’s grace He gives me lots of Biblical models; many of whom have earthly flaws but whose heart is rightly oriented- Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, Caleb, David, Elijah, Elisha, many of the other prophets. But especially John the Baptist and at the top of the lists is Jesus.
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Hugh Stephenson

What’s particularly interesting to me in this passage is that the kings try and buy off their enemies with money. No surprise…it doesn’t work as they eventually come and attack anyway. We will see that happen again soon. Anyone who’s had a tyrannical two-year-old knows that he/she is a tyrant that cannot be appeased. No matter how much you give them they will always want more. Overall, I see God’s sovereignty. No sins of man can thwart the plans of God. The randomness of good and bad kings speaks volumes as to the actual influence and control I have as a parent. From the notes- "We usually expect that godly parents are going to bring up godly children. But that isn't always the case. Jotham, for the most part, followed the Lord. But when his son Ahaz came into power, he did the exact opposite. There is no formula for parenting. We can't explain why godly parents sometimes have prodigals and ungodly parents sometimes have mature Christian children. Each of us is dependent on God for His grace. Where we think we are strong, we may actually be weak. Where we know we are weak, we may be laying the groundwork for our children's excellence. The one constant is that God is in control. He is the One we must turn to for wisdom, guidance, and strength."[207] "When Ahaz dies about 715 B.C., he is succeeded by Hezekiah, his son. He leaves a legacy of appeasement and syncretism unmatched to this time. Assyria can count on him for money, loyalty, and zealous acceptance of their gods. Judah's king seems genuinely pleased to serve a powerful master who can deliver him from regional foes. No doubt he feels safe, but the historian duly notes the ways in which he has exceeded Jeroboam's wickedness. If Jeroboam's practices are worth condemning, what will happen to a nation who rejects the Lord even more clearly?"[210]
GJ

Greg Jones

“I’m a pediatric oncology nurse.” O wow that’s a tough job on so many different levels. On behalf of a lot of people I’m sure, thank you for what you do. Best days are best days. Worst days are worst days. Absolutely agree with this, “While we remain on this side of heaven, God calls us to love people well, while showing them the grace that He has lavished on us through Christ, all the while abstaining "from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul." (1 Peter 2:11) But honestly, I don’t really see this other thing mentioned. “Throughout the chapters, we see the rise and fall of many kings and the way that they are easily influenced by other nations as well. But through every reign, God puts so many of His attributes on display for us to see. His holiness, sovereignty, and mercy are shown in the way that He responds to each king.” It might just be me but I associate God’s empathy with that statement and rather than that, I see throughout the chapters a build up of a prophetic statement back in Joshua. But Joshua said to the people, “You are not able to serve the Lord, for he is a holy God. He is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions or your sins. If you forsake the Lord and serve foreign gods, then he will turn and do you harm and consume you, after having done you good.” And the people said to Joshua, “No, but we will serve the Lord.” Then Joshua said to the people, “You are witnesses against yourselves that you have chosen the Lord, to serve him.” And they said, “We are witnesses.” Joshua 24:19-22 That view of Yahweh is carried into the book of Kings and their witness against themselves is being spelled out. With the death of Elisha in the last chapter there is a Hebrew Bible transition from former prophets to prophets. For example Uzziah king of Judah being where we are. The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of [[[Uzziah]]] Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah. Isaiah 1:1 The words of Amos, who was among the shepherds of Tekoa, which he saw concerning Israel in the days of [[[Uzziah]]] king of Judah and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel, two years before the earthquake. Amos 1:1 So just for some Bible perspective it is at this time that the prophets, major and minor, become active. In the 40th chapter of Isaiah some of the softer(?) attributes of God begin to be showcased. And it’s at this point you start to see God acting in an empathetic way toward his people. Example Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her
that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she has received from the Lord's hand
double for all her sins. Isaiah 40:1-2 Go on up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good news; lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good news; lift it up, fear not; say to the cities of Judah,
    “Behold your God!” Behold, the Lord God comes with might, and his arm rules for him;
behold, his reward is with him,
and his recompense before him. He will tend his flock like a shepherd;
he will gather the lambs in his arms;
he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young. Isiah 40:9-11 God’s recompense is going to be based on Israel being a blessing to the nations. In Joshua God’s compensation looked like this. And I sent the hornet before you, which drove them out before you, the two kings of the Amorites; it was not by your sword or by your bow. I gave you a land on which you had not labored and cities that you had not built, and you dwell in them. You eat the fruit of vineyards and olive orchards that you did not plant.’ “Now therefore fear the Lord and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:12-15 Joshua 24 paints a picture of the LORD who they choose to serve that day. But you, Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, the offspring of Abraham, my friend; you whom I took from the ends of the earth,
and called from its farthest corners,
saying to you, “You are my servant,
I have chosen you and not cast you off”; fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:8-10 Joshua-fear the LORD you choose to serve Post Isaiah 40-fear not for, I, have chosen you “The worst of it all, was that they were convinced that what they were doing was right.” I agree with that statement. In the case of Ahaz, my thought, he looked at the Assyrian empire and their god and he feared, their god, more than he feared, the LORD. And depending on your view of Isiah the idea, or revelation of God “choosing His servant Israel” comes after the life of Ahaz. No matter that case, there is a line that goes through Joshua, Kings, Isaiah pre 40, post 40, the gospels to this statement and prayer. “He wants us to be influencers for the kingdom, rather than be influenced by the world.” “Father, would you help us to live and worship You according to Your Word and not according to the ways of this world.” Amen. Loved this deeper dive.
SB

Sue Bohlin

Thank you, Jordan. More wincing in today's reading. Both Ahaziah/Uzziah and Ahaz gave themselves permission to elevate their own version of worship above the ways God had revealed how He was to be approached and worshiped. It was self-centered religion rather than God-centered true worship. And it completely disregarded Yahweh as a Person who had the right to establish His rules, His way. I see something similar happening in our culture today in the way gender ideology completely disregards God's right to define us according to His design and intention (male and female, to be kept distinct from each other). And there is a false dichotomy between "body" and "person." People--especially impressionable young people--are being told they can shape their bodies socially, medically and surgically to bring them into alignment with how they feel on the inside. Elevating their own version of self-worship above the ways God has revealed about how we are to think about and live out His design and intention for their insides and outsides.
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Michael Scaman

A sovereign God and a fickle heart of fallen man on display with a slew of Kings not following God. God was sovereign - even over the attacks against Judah. "In those days the LORD began to send Rezin the king of Syria and Pekah the son of Remaliah against Judah." The heart of Ahaz was so fickle he used the roo cool for school designer altar from Damascus rather than the designs given to Moses Perhaps his fickle-ness shows his heart wants to move away from thos old ways. Ahaz was in his eyes very 'progressive" and 'progressed" away from the ways of God. Ahaz and Isaiah will meet. You might call it a super-colider of views. Isaiah has his ivsion of God on the throne in Isaiah 6 and that may prepare him to meet King Ahaz in Isaiah 7 with prophesies about 'Immanuel". Isaiah even bring one of is children as an object lesson for Immanuel.
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Amy Lowther

1. Every part of the world is interesting and can influence me at anytime. God helps me see the world correctly so I keep things in perspective. 2. Shopping malls can draw me in and influence me in a worldly way. I can preserve my faith by including God in my shopping (praying-before, during, and after; sharing faith with others; considering what God would purchase and why). 3. God is my role model because He loves everyone when they do good and everyone when they do bad. He also sees people for their strengths and encourages everyone to use their strengths without force.