...........In the twelfth year of Ahaz king of Judah began Hoshea the son of Elah to reign in Samaria over Israel nine years. And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, but not as the kings of Israel that were before him. Against him came up Shalmaneser king of Assyria; and Hoshea became his servant, and gave him presents. And the king of Assyria found conspiracy in Hoshea: for he had sent messengers to So king of Egypt, and brought no present to the king of Assyria, as he had done year by year: therefore the king of Assyria shut him up, and bound him in prison. Then the king of Assyria came up throughout all the land, and went up to Samaria, and besieged it three years. In the ninth year of Hoshea the king of Assyria took Samaria, and carried Israel away into Assyria, and placed them in Halah and in Habor by the river of Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes. For so it was, that the children of Israel had sinned against the LORD their God, which had brought them up out of the land of Egypt, from under the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and had feared other gods, And walked in the statutes of the heathen, whom the LORD cast out from before the children of Israel, and of the kings of Israel, which they had made............2 kings 17:1-8.......... Lesson: Just a quick recap of chapter 16.........Neighbouring nation forces fought against Judah and took away some cities.........Ahaz king of Judah could not resist the forces from the other nations he sought help from Assyria with lots of treasures given as gift for their support........ He won the favour of the Assyrians and they went against Syria and conquered and recovered the cities and took Damascus captive.......Ahaz saw an altar in Damascus and built the same fashion in Judah........After a while the enemies rose again against Judah and took a few more villages and he sought for help from the Assyria as he has done the first time....... He got no response this time around and was confused, on the altar that was raised to worship the Almighty God he ordered the worship of the gods of the Syrians and raised high places in all Judah for the worship of idols.......He died in his confused state of mind.......... Chapter 17.........Hoshea ruled over Israel in Samaria for nine years, it was recorded that he did evil in the sight of the Lord not as the kings that were before him.........It reveals to us that God shows detailed interest in our day to day relationship and interaction........He is a God that keeps records and a very just God......... Rev 20:12-15………..And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire……… Shalmaneser king of Assyria came against Israel conquered and captured it in the ninth year of Hoshea reign......... What a lesson.......Israel was saved by divine and great power from the hands of Pharaoh but got into captivity again because of idolatry worship.........The enemy is not relenting on us believers even though we have been delivered from the powers of sins.......He still comes threatening us with various and divers temptations to trap us back into captivity........ 1 Pt 5:8-10………… Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you………… Heb 12:1-2………….Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God…………. As believers we must watch......what the bible reveals as besetting sins........They are set traps of the enemy on our way....... We must be vigilant, sober, study Gods words and prayerful to be able to overcome and defeat the strategy of the enemies....... Once free from sins does not mean we are eternally saved there is need to watch every moment and guard our hearts and to carelessly be engaging in sinful practices would eventually endanger our journey and walk with the Almighty God.......... Prayer: O Lord help us to consciously live our lives in the consciousness that there is a daily record of our activities and live to please you and do your will at all times......in Jesus name......Amen.
Posted on: Mon, 25 Nov 2013 05:27:26 +0000
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