Tuesday, November 12 – 2 Kings 15, Isaiah 1

1. According to Romans 6:23, what was Azariah’s sin and “the wage” of such? (2 Kings 15:4-5)

2. Why was it so important for the king to be buried in the City of David? (2 Kings 15:6-7)

3. How does 2 Kings 15 demonstrate history repeating itself? 2 Kings 15:34-35?

Commentary and Reflection:

A friend once told me about a relative who shares our love for the Gospel. His uncle was an exceptional carpenter, cabinetmaker, and an excellent communicator. Although he was deaf, he never missed a word he said if you looked at him when he spoke. His answers to questions asked of him confirmed the fact that he was also a master lip reader.

His uncle was successful in communication and business because he was attentive to every word. He focused on getting the message. If he were distracted by looking at what the neighbors were doing or what the dog was chasing, he would miss the message of what others were saying.

In 2 Kings 15:3, 4, we notice that Azariah (also known as Uzziah) did what was right in God’s eyes, following his father’s example of serving the Lord. However, he was not listening closely to everything God had said. He was familiar with God’s instructions in the Ten Commandments, just like the people of Judah. However, they were not paying strict attention to all of God’s words, or the high places would have been removed, and the people would have gone to the Temple or God’s appointed priests instead of making sacrifices and burning incense on the high places.

The people of Judah should have “read” God’s lips. Years before, He had given precise instructions to Moses, and Moses had passed those instructions on to the people. Parents were told to place reminders in their homes and to repeat God’s instructions orally so that the people would not forget His commandments. But the people of Judah had stopped focusing on God and were, therefore, disobedient.

Delayed obedience is disobedience! Many centuries have passed, but Malachi 3:6 says, “I am the Lord, and I do not change…” He still wants us to listen to all of His instructions. We must pay close attention and not be distracted by the sin that surrounds us in this world. We can accomplish this by ensuring that every area of ​​our lives conforms to God’s Word and opening our hearts to His instructions.

A.W. Tozer said, “God never changes moods or cools off in His affections or loses enthusiasm.  His attitude toward sin is now the same as it was when He drove out the sinful man from the garden, and His attitude toward the sinner the same as when He stretched forth His hand and cried, ‘Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.’”