II KINGS “The Road to Captivity” Sermons by Rev. Mike Jones [Revised August 20, 2020]
IIKings 04:26 IS IT WELL WITH THEE?
IIKings 06:1 7 A BURDEN TO BUILD
IIKings 06:24-7:20 SIN’S SIEGE
IIKings 07:1-9 WASTING YOUR LIFE
IIKings 18:1 7 HEZEKIAH’S EXAMPLE
IIKings 18:1 8 HOW TO BE USED OF GOD
IIKings 18:4 GOOD THINGS USED WRONG
IIKings 18:13, 19:1 TRIUMPH INTO TRAGEDY 3
IIKings 19: 14 19 HOW TO ENDURE AND OVERCOME TRAGEDY
IIKings 24:2-4 REJECTED REPENTANCE
IIKings 01:1-11 TWICE AS MUCH
When Elijah was translated to Heaven, Elisha asked that he receive a double portion of his spirit. He did and the scriptures record over twice as many miracles for Elisha as for Elijah. We all should want to have this “Double Portion” of the Spirit in order to accomplish more for God.
I find THREE GUIDELINES that go with having more of God’s Power.
I. STAY CLOSE TO GODLY PEOPLE- II Kings 1:1-11 (P720) Elijah said Elisha would get a double portion if he saw Elijah translated. In order for that to happen Elisha had to stay close to Elijah. Elisha was discouraged about going forward by Elijah, by the prophets, and by circumstances but he was determined to stay close to what God was doing.
You can discourage people’s progress or you can give them a vision:
Name 5 principles you want to pass on to the next Generation
Name 5 principles you have learned from other leaders
II. WATCH THINGS THAT INFLUENCE YOU- Elisha called for Music II Kings 3:10-20 (P725)
III. SPEND TIME ALONE WITH GOD- They that wait upon the Lord renew strength.
IIKings 02:19-22 BAD WATER
(Rev Mike Jones)
BACKGROUND: Elijah had just been translated to Heaven. Elisha was now God’s spokesman (Note the difference: Elijah was a thundering voice like John the Baptist who was a “loner”. Elisha was a teacher who lived around people).
After Elisha returned to Jericho the “sons of the prophets” (Bible Students) persuaded him to allow them to hunt for Elijah. During this time, Elisha remained in Jericho where he became known to the leaders.
[Jericho was built at the cost of a curse- And Joshua adjured them at that time, saying, Cursed be the man before the LORD, that riseth up and buildeth this city Jericho: he shall lay the foundation thereof in his firstborn, and in his youngest son shall he set up the gates of it (Joshua 6:26).
This curse was fulfilled in the actions of Hiel- In his days did Hiel the Bethelite build Jericho: he laid the foundation thereof in Abiram his firstborn, and set up the gates thereof in his youngest son Segub, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by Joshua the son of Nun (1 Kings 16:34)].
These leaders came to Elisha with a town problem- Bad Water: And the men of the city said unto Elisha, Behold, I pray thee, the situation of this city is pleasant, as my lord seeth: but the water is naught, and the ground barren (2 Kings 2:19).
Like most of the world today their Situation was pleasant but the water of their life tasted so bad until they compared it to human waste (“naught” is the Hebrew word for urine) and this bad water caused their land to be barren instead of fruitful. Can you relate this to a world that has never had more but enjoyed it less?
THE CURE FOR BAD WATER:
1) A New Cruse (vessel)- Repent of your wrong actions / attitudes and receive Christ into your heart: If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new (2 Corinthians 5:17).
2) Salt- Makes no sense to add salt to water to make it pure but the acid in the water was changed by the chemicals in the salt. [The other time God made Bad Water good was by adding a Tree (the Cross) to the water (Ex 15:23-25)].
Today we must remember that “substitute salt” will not produce the necessary changes- Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men (Matthew 5:13).
3) The final part of the cure for Bad Water is Confidence in the Word of God- And he went forth unto the spring of the waters, and cast the salt in there, and said, Thus saith the LORD, I have healed these waters; there shall not be from thence any more death or barren land. So the waters were healed unto this day, according to the saying of Elisha which he spake (2 Kings 2:21-22).
The situation surrounding your Life can be “Pleasant” but Bad Water can make your joy taste horrible and your activities barren instead of fruitful. The cure is to come to the real water of life today: And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely (Revelation 22:17).
IIKings 04:26 IS IT WELL WITH THEE?
An all important question: IS IT WELL WITH THEE? IS IT WELL WITH THY HUSBAND? IS IT WELL WITH THY CHILD?
There are many personal questions recorded in the Bible.
The Lord God asked Adam “Where art thou? Gen. 3:9 & “What is this thou hast done?” Gen. 3:13
It was another personal question which Elijah, running away from duty, had to meet & answer in I Kings 19:9 & 19:13, “What doest thou here Elijah?”
1). “A VERY INTIMATE QUESTION”
A. “IS IT WELL WITH THEE?” Now this was a very intimate personal question but it was not resented.
B. Why? Possibly for three reasons.
1. “BECAUSE OF THE ONE WHO ASKED THE QUESTION.” Elisha was the Shunammite’s best friend.
2. “BECAUSE OF THE PURPOSE OF THE QUESTION” Elisha knew at once, that she was troubled. Therefore, He asked the question in order to discover the need, & so be able to give help.
3. “BECAUSE OF THE TONE OF ELISHA’S VOICE”. Her friend’s voice was vibrant with tender sympathy.
2). “A VERY INCLUSIVE QUESTION”
A. “IS IT WELL WITH THEE?” You, your Husband, your Child.
B. The question covers all the circle of your home life.
C. Perhaps this is the burden of some Christian woman’s heart.
3). “A VERY INSISTENT QUESTION”
A. “IS IT WELL WITH THEE?”
“IS IT WELL WITH THY HUSBAND?”
“IS IT WELL WITH THE CHILD?”
B. This word “WELL” is one we use almost every day.
C. It is a health word, & often on our lips as we talk with our friends.
D. “She isn’t at all WELL…” “He is fairly WELL”, or quite WELL”, whatever the case may be. Happy indeed is the wife & mother who can by the grace of God say’ “IT IS WELL WITH MY HUSBAND”,
“IS IT WELL WITH MY CHILD”, “MY CIRCLE IN HEAVEN WILL BE UNBROKEN”.
IIKings 06:1 7 A BURDEN TO BUILD
Elisha is one of my favorite Prophets. He was as different from his fore-runner, Elijah, as Christ was from John the Baptist (God uses different people for different jobs).
When you reach that life changing moment will you know what is needed to change your life? You have done the hard work. You have followed your mentor, Elijah, despite numerous attempts to persuade you from your efforts. Now you come to that life altering moment when you are asked, “What is your goal? If I could give you the ability to do anything you want to do, what would that be?” [It came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me (2 Kings 2:9)].
Elisha changed his world and the world of numerous other people because he was willing to seek something bigger and better; a double portion of the Prophet Power of his mentor. With this power he cured the deadly waters of Jericho, provided supernatural water for a parched army, multiplied the oil for the widow so she could pay her debt, raised up the Shunamite’s dead son, cured the poison pot of Pottage for the Prophet Disciples, multiplied bread for the multitude, and told Naaman how to be cured of Leprosy by dipping in the Jordan River.
He was a great worker for God.
Tonight I want us to look at a time that others decided to work for God and see how Elisha encouraged them and helped them.
I. THE REASON TO BUILD – Needed more room
a. Become dissatisfied with things as they are
b. Get a Vision
II. THE REQUIREMENTS FOR BUILDING
a. Progress- Let us go: Leave where you are
b. Participation- Every man a beam; Willing to work with others
c. Plan- Make a place to dwell
III. THE POWER TO BUILD- Borrowed Axes: God’s Power
a. Trees must be cut with axes and not hands
b. The axes can be lost while we’re busy (and only a miracle of God can restore it. Sadly many today are still trying to build without the axe and working hard to accomplish little).
IIKings 06:24-7:20 SIN’S SIEGE
The People of the Northern Kingdom of Israel had disregarded God’s law and now they were suffering the disastrous results- Ben-hadad, king of Syria (Aram) had laid siege to Samaria and was about to conquer it.
A Siege is a horrible thing- It’s like being choked to death. Slowly and painfully, you lose strength. We’re going to look at some of the results of this Siege and then see how God wondrously ended it but I want us to look first of all at the reasons it began.
I. SATAN’S STRATEGY
A) Jeroboam’s Sin make religion “Convenient” instead of true. He build altars for the people so they wouldn’t go to Jerusalem and hired priest that would tell the people it was right to sin
B) The word Lord and Baal mean the same thing- only different languages. The people misunderstood about the fact that God used darkness at various times in order to be able to communicate with man (Like Jesus was in a human body but was transfigured. Man couldn’t stand to see the real light of God’s Glory) The people remained at a distance, while Moses approached the thick darkness where God was. (Exo 20:21). When you heard the voice out of the darkness, while the mountain was ablaze with fire, all the leading men of your tribes and your elders came to me (Deu 5:23). Clouds and thick darkness surround him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne (Psa 97:2)
II. MAN’S PROBLEMS
A) Economic Hardship- Famine in Land
B) Dissolution of Family- Eat Children
C) Failure of Government-
1> King, “If the Lord doesn’t help you then I can’t”
2> King is Sackcloth
D) Disrespect for God
1> King blamed Preacher and wanted to Kill him
2> Sec of State said it couldn’t happen if God opened windows of heaven!
III. GOD’S PROVISION
A) FOR HIS PEOPLE-
1> God had scared the enemy away
2> Lepers decided not to “sit here til we die”. They went out and God used them to deliver His people.
B) FOR DOUBTERS- The Sec of State saw but did not eat (trampled at gate). Hell is like this!!!
Has Satan laid Siege to you and your family?? You can sit and die or you can arise and come to God’s Provision. Don’t die with the doubters, Come to Christ today.
“Then he took the cloak that had fallen from him and struck the water with it and said, Where now is the LORD, the God of Elijah?” he asked. When he struck the water, it divided to the right and to the left, and he crossed over” 2 Ki 2:14.
“But no one says, ‘Where is God my Maker, who gives songs in the night,” Job 35:10.
“My tears have been my food day and night, while men say to me all day long, “Where is your God?” Psa 42:3
“Why should the nations say, “Where is their God?” Before our eyes, make known among the nations that you avenge the outpoured blood of your servants” Psa 79:10.
“Let the priests, who minister before the LORD, weep between the temple porch and the altar. Let them say, ‘Spare your people, O LORD. Do not make your inheritance an object of scorn, a byword among the nations. Why should they say among the peoples, ‘Where is their God?” Joel 2:17.
You have wearied the LORD with your words. How have we wearied him? you ask. By saying, All who do evil are good in the eyes of the LORD, and he is pleased with them or Where is the God of justice? Mal 2:17.
IIKings 07:1-9 WASTING YOUR LIFE
[From a sermon by Rev. Robert Rose- Revival, Lynches River FWBC 10-01-06pm]
Leprosy is uses as a picture of sin. Leprosy attacks the nervous system so that the victim no longer feels in the area affected. If he cuts himself or burns himself then there is no pain to warn him. Consequently infection begins in the limb and it starts to die. [Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: (Revelation 3:17)]
Note who God uses to accomplish His will- 4 lepers who were rejected by society and living in poverty outside the city. (Remember the ten lepers whom Jesus healed and only one returned to give Him thanks).
1) They knew they had to expand their boundaries (Why sit we here until we die?) The question they asked is one we all need to consider; You will never get where you are going if you remain where you are!
2) Do not let your weakness cripple you- These men were lepers. Do not be a proud disciple whom God cannot use like Diotrephes in III John but also do not be so “timid” until you will not do God’s will like Gideon.
3) Let go of your past and head for a new future. These men had been rejected and isolated. “Yesterday Christians” are people who tried to do something for God, found failure or rejection, and now are content to simply sit on the sidelines doing nothing for God. They could have spent all their time debating the question, “Why are we lepers and others are not?” but they knew Life is sometimes not logical.
4) They had to learn to give in order to live- Then they said one to another, We do not well: this day is a day of good tidings, and we hold our peace: if we tarry till the morning light, some mischief will come upon us: now therefore come, that we may go and tell the king’s household. (2 Kings 7:9). The Dead Sea is dead because water only goes into it and does not exit.
IIKings 18:1 7 HEZEKIAH’S EXAMPLE
Hezekiah is an example of what happens when a person is willing to turn their life over to the Lord. As Judah approached captivity God raised up a Prophet (Isaiah) and a King (Hezekiah) to show that defeat was not necessary. All that was needed was a dependence on God instead of the world. (God thought it was so important until He had it recorded 3 times- II Kings 18 20, II Chron 32, Isaiah 36 37)
1. The way he lived- vs 3 he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, according to all that David his father did. God’s Commands and his forefather’s example guided him.
2. The Things he changed- vs 4 He removed the high places, and brake the images, and cut down the groves, and brake in pieces the brasen serpent that Moses made: for unto those days the Chidren of Israel did burn incense to it: and he called it Nehustan (A Piece of Brass). He dealt with obvious sin and with good gone bad
3. The Faith He manifested- vs 5 He trusted in the Lord God of Israel.
4. The way he stood for God- vs 6 He clave to the Lord, and departed not from following him, but kept his commandments, which the Lord commanded Moses.
5. The Results- The Lord was with him; and he prospered whithersoever he went forth: and he rebelled against the king of Assyria, and served him not. ARE YOU FOLLOWING THE EXAMPLE OF HEZEKIAH???
IIKings 18:1 8 HOW TO BE USED OF GOD
Most people today want to “Use God” for their benefit and Blessing. The real Christian wants to BE USED of GOD for HIS GLORY. Today I want us to look at the example of good king Hezekiah and find out how we can be used of God to accomplish His Will on earth- because in the Will of God is the only place of Peace and contentment.
vs 3 1. Make the Best of your Background! Hezekiah had a Bad Father (II Kings 16:1 4) but a good mother. He chose to follow the good example and teachings of his mother instead of using his dad’s sins as an excuse for his own sorryness.
vs 4 2. Deal with Sin in your life- Hezekiah:
a) Removed the sinful things- burn books and destroy “idols”
b) Removed Symbols without substance (The serpent that Moses had used for a good purpose now was a hindrance because men trusted in the symbol instead of seeing the Saviour)- Don’t allow yourself to be satisfied with a “Form” of Christianity instead of a commitment to Christ.
vs 5 3. Live by Faith, Walk by Faith; for without Faith it is impossible to please God. (Trust in, Rely upon, Depend on)
vs 6 4. Build a Relationship. He “Clave” (Cling with all might)
a) He “Departed Not”. Regular Walk, consistent living
b) He “Kept the commandments”- He lived according to God’s rules
vs 7 5. WORK for the Lord- far too many Christians talk a good relationship but don’t do anything for God.
You will want to work because:
a) The Lord was with Him- “joint venture”
b) He Prospered wherever he went- “Joint Victory”
c) He broke the yoke of Assyria (Which had just deported Israel for her sins)- Judgment averted (God will not allow us to be taken captive as long as we are doing His work in His way= Jesus could not be taken until it was time. Paul had to finish his course).
vs 8 6. Don’t just “Defend and Despair”; War and Win- Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world. Knock down some giants, break down some walled cities, show the world that God is not dead.
Are you looking for an excuse or an opportunity?
Do you have a form of Godliness but deny the power thereof?
Do you just “Defend the Faith” or do you Defeat the Devil?
God is looking for yielded vessels that He can use to do mighty things in His name. Will you be such a vessel??
IIKings 18:4 GOOD THINGS USED WRONG
Sometimes we allow “Good Things” FOR God to replace God HIMSELF and we begin to worship the “creature more than the creator”. Solomon warned us that instead of joy and delight we can get sick off “honey” which we use it incorrectly – Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it (Proverbs 25:16).
Here are a few examples:
I. The Ark of God used as a “good luck charm” in battle: And when the people were come into the camp, the elders of Israel said, Wherefore hath the LORD smitten us to day before the Philistines? Let us fetch the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of Shiloh unto us, that, when it cometh among us, it may save us out of the hand of our enemies (1 Samuel 4:3).. The Bible can do much wrong when it is used wrongly!
II The Brazen Serpent: Hezekiah removed the high places, and brake the images, and cut down the groves, and brake in pieces the brasen serpent that Moses had made: for unto those days the children of Israel did burn incense to it: and he called it Nehushtan (A Piece of Brass) (2 Kings 18:4). The Brazen Serpent was used to save Israel from death by snake bite and it is a very important symbol of salvation (And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life John 3:14-15) but Faith in “Faith” can replace faith in God. A Salvation “formula” without any repentance or heart change leads to Pharisees (Legalist) or Sadducees (No rules to life).
III. The Temple (Church): Trust ye not in lying words, saying, The temple of the LORD, The temple of the LORD, The temple of the LORD, are these (Jeremiah 7:4). Church membership or Church organization can replace real Worship of God and authentic Living for God
The Real Thing: Declare this in the house of Jacob, and publish it in Judah, saying, Hear now this, O foolish people, and without understanding; which have eyes, and see not; which have ears, and hear not: Fear ye not me? saith the LORD: will ye not tremble at my presence, which have placed the sand for the bound of the sea by a perpetual decree, that it cannot pass it: and though the waves thereof toss themselves, yet can they not prevail; though they roar, yet can they not pass over it? But this people hath a revolting and a rebellious heart; they are revolted and gone. Neither say they in their heart, Let us now fear the LORD our God, that giveth rain, both the former and the latter, in his season: he reserveth unto us the appointed weeks of the harvest. Your iniquities have turned away these things, and your sins have withholden good things from you (Jeremiah 5:20-25).
IIKings 18:13, 19:1 TRIUMPH INTO TRAGEDY 3
While traveling with my brother and his wife once we stopped at a truck stop for a snack. We all ordered “BLT” sandwiches and were all set to enjoy them when I noticed that my sister-in-law’s sandwich had a roach sticking out of it- a time of joy was suddenly turned into dismay. Magnify this 100 times and you have the difficulties that many people face today: Their marriage started with candy and flowers and “undying love” but somehow “roaches” got into the “Honey”! They entered High school with good grades and a good reputation but “good times” replaced grades and they started doing anything to make friends and find themself in the “Hog Pen” now.
Defeat, Despair, and even Death find a way into all of our lives. What brings these “roaches in our refreshment”? and what can we do when it happens?
WHY DO WE HAVE TRAGEDY INSTEAD OF TRIUMPH??
There are 4 basic reasons that suffering comes into our life:
1. Self-
a. Because we’re human we “Stick our foot in our mouth” sometimes, or we carelessly pick up a hot pot.
b. The personality we have. Some people are just naturally hard to get along with.
THE CURE- The greatness of Christianity is that we have hope of dealing with Self thru the power of the Spirit and taking up our Cross.
2. Circumstances- Sometimes we call it “Luck”, being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Because the rain falls on the unjust as well as the just we sometimes have our “Picnic rained on” or suffer thru a drought just like everyone else.
THE CURE- Rom 8:28
3. For Christ’s Sake- I Pet 4:16 If any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. This is suffering that comes as a direct result of our relationship and standing for the Lord. Our good is evil spoken of.
THE CURE- God calls us “Blessed” when we suffer for His sake; and it makes us “partners in Pain” with the Lord.
4. Sin- Sin brings Pain in this life and Punishment in the next. In the Life of a Christian, Sin brings Chastisement and lost of fellowship with God.
THE CURE- For the Sinner it is to accept Christ as Saviour and allow His sacrifice to pay your sin debt.
For the Saint, it is confession, repentance, and returning to first love.
Those are the basic reasons that Problems come into our lives. Now let’s see what we can do to keep from falling under the troubles that come our way. How can we be victorious like Job in the midst of disaster?
HOW TO ENDURE AND OVERCOME TRAGEDY-
1. FOUNDATION- Matt 7:24 27 When life’s storms come your way you need:
A) Stability- Jesus is the Rock. People change, Circumstances Change. Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
B) Security- When you build your house in the midst of the Rock you can withstand any storm as you look on it with interest instead of agony.
Jesus said this “Foundation” was someone who Heard his sayings and then did what was taught- That’s Education and Application. You need to Know what Jesus wants from you and then you need to live the way He says. That’s why Church attendance and Christian living are so important.
2. FAITH- Ps 112:7 He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord. We don’t worry about what might happen because we’re resting in God’s love and care. How do you get this kind of Faith and confidence?
Faith comes from Hearing the Word of God.
Faith without works is dead, being alone.
Again it’s Education and Application
3. FIGHT- God did not call us to be people who live in a “dream world” about life. He called us to participate- which involves both Triumph and Tragedy. When Hezekiah got the bad news he went to Church and fought a great “Prayer Battle” [vs 14 19] that left 185,000 enemy soldiers dead (II Kings 19:35).
Most times the best defense is a good offense- There are Prayer Promises [Jer 33:3 Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not. ] and Scriptural covenants [Josh 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.] in the Bible that Christians can use when they are attacked to turn Tragedy back into Triumph.
You have a choice today, you can decide to never eat a sandwich again because you found a roach in one; or you can throw that bad sandwich away and enjoy good food. You can Blame God and everyone else for your troubles and try to escape in drugs or drink or apathy or you can stand on the Rock and fight the good fight of faith.
IIKings 19: 14 19 HOW TO ENDURE AND OVERCOME TRAGEDY
When the sun is suddenly blotted from your horizon and the lightening begins to flash you need to be able to stand and withstand. Multitudes of Christians spend their time and energy worrying about the possibility of a storm or else “putting pots under a leaking roof” once the storm hits instead of enjoying their security and realizing that the storms simply bring the rain needed to produce fruit.
Let’s look at 3 principles that will allow us to endure and overcome the storms of life.
1. FOUNDATION- Matt 7:24 27 When life’s storms come your way you need:
A) Stability- Jesus is the Rock. People change, Circumstances Change. Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
B) Security- When you build your house in the midst of the Rock you can withstand any storm as you look on it with interest instead of agony.
Jesus said this “Foundation” was someone who Heard his sayings and then did what was taught- That’s Education and Application. You need to Know what Jesus wants from you and then you need to live the way He says. That’s why Church attendance and Christian living are so important; before the storms hit!!
2. FAITH- Ps 112:7 He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord. We don’t worry about what might happen because we’re resting in God’s love and care. How do you get this kind of Faith and confidence?
Faith comes from Hearing the Word of God.
Faith without works is dead, being alone.
Again it’s Education and Application
3. FIGHT- God did not call us to be people who live in a “dream world” about life. He called us to participate- which involves both Triumph and Tragedy. King Hezekiah was “sailing along” until suddenly on the horizon came the Chaldeans invading his country. When he got the bad news he went to Church and fought a great “Prayer Battle” [II Kings 19: 14 19] that left 185,000 enemy soldiers dead (II Kings 19:35).
Most times the best defense is a good offense- There are Prayer Promises [Jer 33:3 Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not. ] and Scriptural covenants [Josh 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.] in the Bible that Christians can use when they are attacked to turn Tragedy back into Triumph.
Education (Learning the Prayer Promises) and Application (Applying the Scriptural Covenants) are again the key.
Jesus is our shelter from the wrath of sin and from the storms of life– rest in Him today
IIKings 24:2-4 REJECTED REPENTANCE
And the LORD sent against him bands of the Chaldees, and bands of the Syrians, and bands of the Moabites, and bands of the children of Ammon, and sent them against Judah to destroy it, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by his servants the prophets. Surely at the commandment of the LORD came this upon Judah, to remove them out of his sight, for the sins of Manasseh, according to all that he did; And also for the innocent blood that he shed: for he filled Jerusalem with innocent blood; which the LORD would not pardon (2 Ki 24:2-4).
One version says that “the Lord would not Pardon” actually means “The Lord was not willing to Forgive”. How Horrible to be in a place where you have rejected the Ways of God and the Word of God until God says He will not Forgive or Pardon you.
You say a God of Love would not do such a thing. Look at some Bible examples:
1) Lot’s Wife- Looked back and instantly turned to salt
2) Belshazzer- God wrote on the wall that he would be killed that very night; even as his enemies entered the city.
3) Ananias and Sapphira- Saw Pentecost, Saw Miracles of God and yet lied to God and were destroyed immediately.
It is True that God waits long and makes every effort to save people but there comes a time when you cross His line. The sad fact about that is that it sometimes destroys your family as well as you:
1) Noah’s day- 120 years of preaching, 7 days the ark left open- Then ALL died.
2) People of Canaan- 420 years God kept Israel in Egypt to give them chance to repent. Then God’s command was to kill men, women and children–no survivors!!
God listed 3 Sins that brought King Jehoiakim to this place:
1. He Rejected the warnings from God’s word given by God’s Prophets.
2. He Followed the ways of the World (His Wicked Grandfather, Manasseh) instead of living for God.
3. He had innocent Blood on his hands:
A) Over 1 1/2 Millions babies aborted in America each year. And shed innocent blood, even the blood of their sons and of their daughters, whom they sacrificed unto the idols of Canaan: and the land was polluted with blood (Psa 106:38)
B) Reject the Prayers and Pleas of Christian Family and Friends- They gather themselves together against the soul of the righteous, and condemn the innocent blood (Psa 94:21).
C) Chose the World instead of Christ, like Judas- Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that (Mat 27:4).
It takes more than washing your hands, you must wash your heart- When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it (Mat 27:24).
Even God cannot fill something that is already full. If you remain full of the World, one day you will face the full fury of His Wrath. Don’t come to the Place that God says, “I will not Pardon”.