Things are beginning to deteriorate at a more rapid rate at this point in the history of Israel. We see here a series of very short reigns and one assassination after another. It is a story that is often seen repeated throughout history. There have been many great empires that could not be defeated from without, but which were destroyed by the chaos within. The internal chaos in Israel was the fruit of her spiritual demise. And this was happening at a time when they needed, more than ever, to remain strong and connected with God their divine protector. It was in this very period that the great dark cloud of the Assyrian empire began to loom over the land. The Assyrians were a cruel and powerful empire and no small nation like Israel would be able to resist their advance. They would need supernatural protection right now, but they didn’t have it. They had turned away from God. Despite God’s continued gestures of goodness designed to draw them back, they stubbornly rejected him. So, God gave them over to their own foolishness. First, we see internal chaos, and next we will see external disaster. In the light of this story reflect on your own internal state. Do you feel at peace with God? Perhaps you sense turmoil and unrest within. If it is the latter, then it is time to do business with God. Ask God to reveal where your inner conflict lies. Submit your desires to God and find rest and peace in him again.
Do what I have suggested.
Read 2 Kings 14:23-15:31
