The things that the people did to irritate god are listed in 2 Kings 17. Thought I might list them to see if they ring any bells:
- Took up with other gods
- Fell in with the ways of life of the pagans
- Went along with whatever their kings did
- Did all kinds of things on the sly
- Openly and shamelessly build local shrines
- Smoke from pagan offerings
Scripture tells us that “God was fed up”. They were on the verge of being destroyed and God’s message was to repent and stop. The prophets told them to “turn away from your evil way of life” but they wouldn’t listen. Scripture lists their responses – not good:
- More bullheaded than their stubborn ancestors
- Contemptuous of Gods instruction and repeated reminders
- Lived a nothing life and became nothing
- Ignored warnings and did it anyway
- Threw out everything God
- Worshipped cosmic forces
- Offered their own sons and daughters as burn offerings
- Indulged in all sorts of black arts and magic
- Prostituted themselves to every kind of evil available to them.
The sad result – scripture says “GOD was so thoroughly angry that he got rid of them, got them out of the country for good”. These people came from a godly heritage. They knew better but they forgot. When pressed to straighten up, they rebelled even more. The results were not pretty. Why are we so stubborn? Why do we insist on destroying ourselves? Do you see any of these traits around you today? We need to pay attention. We serve the same God and He has the same rules today. America needs to wake up. It starts with you and me.
