2Kings 25, The Fall of Judah!

2Ki 25:7, THEN THEY KILLED THE SONS OF ZEDEKIAH BEFORE HIS EYES, PUT OUT THE EYES OF ZEDEKIAH, BOUND HIM WITH BRONZE FETTERS, AND TOOK HIM TO BABYLON.

Judgement has fallen on Judah like it did to the northern tribes of Israel! Zedekiah is caught in the LORD’s net!

Eze 12:13,15, I will also spread My net over him, and he shall be caught in My snare. I WILL BRING HIM TO BABYLON, TO THE LAND OF THE CHALDEANS; YET HE SHALL NOT SEE IT, THOUGH HE SHALL DIE THERE. …”THEN THEY SHALL KNOW THAT I AM THE LORD…

2Ki 25:9-10, HE BURNED THE HOUSE OF THE LORD AND THE KING’S HOUSE; all the houses of Jerusalem, that is, all the houses of the great, he burned with fire…. BROKE DOWN THE WALLS OF JERUSALEM ALL AROUND.

Isa 64:11, OUR HOLY AND BEAUTIFUL TEMPLE, WHERE OUR FATHERS PRAISED YOU, IS BURNED UP WITH FIRE; AND ALL OUR PLEASANT THINGS ARE LAID WASTE.

The beautiful Temple that Solomon built for the LORD lasted a little over 400 years.  With men nothing beautiful last; The Garden of Eden was perfect, until man was left in charge and sin entered their hearts! 

Psa 14:2-3, The LORD looks down from heaven upon the children of men, To see if there are any who understand, WHO SEEK GOD. THEY HAVE ALL TURNED ASIDE, THEY HAVE TOGETHER BECOME CORRUPT; THERE IS NONE WHO DOES GOOD, NO, NOT ONE.

YET, THE LORD GOD SENT HIS ONLY SON TO DIE FOR OUR SINS THAT WE MAY ONE DAY BECOME SONS OF THE LIVING GOD!

2Kings 24, Judgement!

2Ki 24:3-4, Surely at the commandment of the LORD this came upon Judah, to remove them from HIS SIGHT BECAUSE OF THE SINS OF MANASSEH, according to all that he had done, and also BECAUSE OF THE INNOCENT BLOOD THAT HE HAD SHED; FOR HE HAD FILLED JERUSALEM WITH INNOCENT BLOOD, WHICH THE LORD WOULD NOT PARDON.

The Lord warned Israel about shedding innocent blood in the land!

Deu 19:10, LEST INNOCENT BLOOD BE SHED IN THE MIDST OF YOUR LAND which the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance, and THUS GUILT OF BLOODSHED BE UPON YOU. 

Pro 6:16-19, THESE SIX THINGS THE LORD HATES, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, A lying tongue, HANDS THAT SHED INNOCENT BLOOD, A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil, A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren.

How much innocent blood has our country shed, abortion, in the name of women’s rights?

Pro 17:15, HE WHO JUSTIFIES THE WICKED, and HE WHO CONDEMNS THE JUST, Both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD.

2Ki 24:20, …HE FINALLY CAST THEM OUT FROM HIS PRESENCE. …

The scariest phrase found in scripture “I NEVER KNEW YOU; DEPART FROM ME”! DON’T BE DECIEVED; HE SEES ALL AND KNOWS ALL!

Job 34:21, “FOR HIS EYES ARE ON THE WAYS OF MAN, AND HE SEES ALL HIS STEPS. 

2Kings 23, Josiah the Reformer!

2Ki 23:3, Then the king stood by a pillar and MADE A COVENANT BEFORE THE LORD, TO FOLLOW THE LORD AND TO KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS AND HIS TESTIMONIES AND HIS STATUTES, WITH ALL HIS HEART AND ALL HIS SOUL…

In a time of great evil, Josiah lived a godly life! He cleansed house of Judah, removed the high places, he tore down ritual booth of perverted persons in the house of the LORD! Etc..

2Ki 23:25, Now before him there was no king like him, WHO TURNED TO THE LORD WITH ALL HIS HEART, WITH ALL HIS SOUL, and with all his might, according to all the Law of Moses; nor after him did any arise like him.

Jer 3:10, And yet for all this her treacherous sister Judah has not turned to Me with her whole heart, but in pretense,” says the LORD. 

Jeremiah ministered in the days of Josiah, even though Josiah turned to the LORD with all his heart, Judah didn’t!

2Ki 23:26, NEVERTHELESS THE LORD DID NOT TURN FROM THE FIERCENESS OF HIS GREAT WRATH…

Were either influenced by the world or by the LORD! We can not serve two masters! Your either for HIM or against HIM! Choose!

Mat 12:30, HE WHO IS NOT WITH ME IS AGAINST ME, AND HE WHO DOES NOT GATHER WITH ME SCATTERS ABROAD. 

We live in a time like Josiah’s time; People doing what’s right in their own mind! IS THE WORLD GOING TO INFLUENCE YOU OR ARE YOU GOING TO INFLUENCE THE WORLD?

2Kings 22, The coming wrath!

2Ki 22:1-2, JOSIAH was eight years old when he became king, … AND HE DID WHAT WAS RIGHT IN THE SIGHT OF THE LORD, AND WALKED IN ALL THE WAYS OF HIS FATHER DAVID; HE DID NOT TURN ASIDE TO THE RIGHT HAND OR TO THE LEFT.

1Ki 13:2, …THUS SAYS THE LORD: Behold, a child, Josiah by name, shall be born…

2Ki 22:8, Then Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the scribe, “I HAVE FOUND THE BOOK OF THE LAW IN THE HOUSE OF THE LORD.” AND HILKIAH GAVE THE BOOK TO SHAPHAN, AND HE READ IT. 

For years they went by tradition, what they heard, rather than what was written! They found the Book of the LAW in the House of the LORD! Wow! LIVING WITHOUT GUIDANCE!

2Ki 22:11, Now it happened, WHEN THE KING HEARD THE WORDS OF THE BOOK OF THE LAW, THAT HE TORE HIS CLOTHES. 

HE knew, GOD’S WRATH IS COMING!

2Ki 22:13, “Go, inquire of the LORD for me, …FOR GREAT IS THE WRATH OF THE LORD THAT IS AROUSED AGAINST US, BECAUSE OUR FATHERS HAVE NOT OBEYED THE WORDS OF THIS BOOK, …

More than 300 years have passed since the prophecy of the Josiah, 1Ki 13:2! Josiah knows the wrath of GOD is coming! JOSIAH WILL START TO CLEAN HOUSE IN JERUSALEM BUT THE LORD WILL DO WHAT HE PROMISED!

1Pe 2:1, Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, 

PREPARE YOURSELF, FOR THE COMING OF THE LORD IS NEAR! HE IS COMING WITH DYED GARMENTS DIPPED IN BLOOD; FOR HE TRODDEN THE WINEPRESS ALONE!

2Kings 21, Be careful what you ask!

2Ki 21:2,6, And he did evil in the sight of the LORD, according to the abominations of the nations whom the LORD had cast out before the children of Israel… ALSO HE MADE HIS SON PASS THROUGH THE FIRE, practiced soothsaying, used witchcraft, and consulted spiritists and mediums. He did much evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke Him to anger

Manasseh reigned 55 evil years and shed much blood; the blood of the prophets! Many believe that they reference of Heb 11:37 was about Isaiah being sawn in two!

Heb 11:37, They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword…

2Ch 33:10, And the LORD spoke to Manasseh and his people, But They Would Not Listen. 

2Ki 21:13, And I will stretch over Jerusalem the measuring line of Samaria and the plummet of the house of Ahab; I WILL WIPE JERUSALEM AS ONE WIPES A DISH, WIPING IT AND TURNING IT UPSIDE DOWN.

All this came because Hezekiah was given 15 years more in life! Hezekiah was a good king, but the LORD knows why it was his time!  Yet, as an example for us gave him 15 more years of life!  SOMETIMES WE JUST DON’T KNOW WHAT WERE ASKING, PLEASE LORD THIS, PLEASE LORD DO THAT, BUT HE DOESN’T!  HE KNOWS WHAT’S BEST FOR US AND IF WE GOT WHAT WE WANTED IT WOULD MOST LIKELY BE FOR OUR DESTRUCTION!

Jas 4:3, You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.

BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU ASK FOR! IT MAY BE GIVEN TO YOU!!

2Kings 20, His time is best!

2Ki 20:1, In those days Hezekiah was sick and near death. And Isaiah the prophet… “Thus says the LORD: ‘SET YOUR HOUSE IN ORDER, FOR YOU SHALL DIE, AND NOT LIVE.

Hezekiah was 39 years old & about to die!

2Ki 20:2-3, Then he turned his face toward the wall, and prayed to the LORD, saying, “Remember now, O LORD, I pray, how I have walked before You in truth and with a loyal heart, and have done what was good in Your sight.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly.

He pleaded to the LORD and HE heard his prayer! Hezekiah received what he prayed for!

2Ki 20:6, And I will add to your days fifteen years. I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for My own sake, and for the sake of My servant David.

Sometimes when we pray, we have no idea of what where saying or asking; for we don’t know what tomorrow may bring!

Pro 27:1, Do not boast about tomorrow, For you do not know what a day may bring forth. 

After his miraculous recover, he bore an evil son named Manasseh, and fell into pride!

2Ch 32:25, But Hezekiah did not repay according to the favor shown him, for his heart was lifted up; therefore wrath was looming over him and over Judah and Jerusalem. 

If Hezekiah would have known what would happen in those extra 15 years, he would have been content in dying at the age of 39! HE KNOW WHEN AND WHY! TRUST IN HIS WILL FOR YOU FOR HE KNOWS BEST!

2Kings 19, Call upon HIS Name!

2Ki 19:1-2, And so it was, when King Hezekiah heard it, THAT HE TORE HIS CLOTHES, COVERED HIMSELF WITH SACKCLOTH, AND WENT INTO THE HOUSE OF THE LORD. Then he sent Eliakim, …TO ISAIAH THE PROPHET, THE SON OF AMOZ.

A great threat has come into the land of Jerusalem and it’s godly king humbled himself before the LORD, entered into HIS courtyard and called on Isaiah!

Psa 46:1, … God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.

2Ki 19:6, And Isaiah said to them, “… ‘Thus says the LORD: “Do not be afraid of the words which you have heard, with which the servants of the king of Assyria have blasphemed ME. 

2Ki 19:10,12 , “Thus you shall speak to Hezekiah king of Judah, saying: ‘DO NOT LET YOUR GOD IN WHOM YOU TRUST DECEIVE YOU, saying, “Jerusalem shall not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria.” … HAVE THE GODS OF THE NATIONS DELIVERED THOSE WHOM MY FATHERS HAVE DESTROYED… 

The threat continues and his blaspheme against the LORD is increasing! But Hezekiah prayed to the LORD (ver 14-19)

Psa 50:15, Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.” 

When trouble comes our way, it is always wise to humble yourself before the LORD and seek HIS face! for without HIM we are nothing but with HIM we are strong! 

Jer 29:12, Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, AND I WILL LISTEN TO YOU. 

2Kings 18, a time of testing!

2Ki 18:5-6, HE TRUSTED IN THE LORD GOD of Israel, so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor who were before him.  FOR HE HELD FAST TO THE LORD; he did not depart from following Him, BUT KEPT HIS COMMANDMENTS, WHICH THE LORD HAD COMMANDED MOSES. 

Hezekiah was a godly king and did what was right in the sight of the LORD! YET he was going to be tested!

2Ki 18:7, THE LORD WAS WITH HIM; HE PROSPERED WHEREVER HE WENT. And HE REBELLED AGAINST THE KING OF ASSYRIA AND DID NOT SERVE HIM. 

He defied Sennacherib, and he came after him!

2Ki 18:15, So Hezekiah gave him all the silver that was found in the house of the LORD and in the treasuries of the king’s house. 

Hezekiah, a godly man gripped by fear tried to pay off the king of Assyria, yet that failed!

2Ki 18:29-30, Thus says the king: ‘Do not let Hezekiah deceive you, for he shall not be able to deliver you from his hand; nor let Hezekiah make you trust in the LORD, saying, “The LORD will surely deliver us; this city shall not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria.” ‘

2Co 4:8-9, We are hard-pressed on every side, YET NOT CRUSHED; we are perplexed, BUT NOT IN DESPAIR; persecuted, BUT NOT FORSAKEN; struck down, BUT NOT DESTROYED

NEVER TAKE YOUR EYES OFF THE LORD, FOR HE IS OUR STRENGTH AND NO WEAPON FORMED AGAINST US SHALL PROSPER! TRUST IN HIM!

2Kings 17, the fall of Israel!

2Ki 17:6-7, In the ninth year of Hoshea, the king of Assyria took Samaria and CARRIED ISRAEL AWAY TO ASSYRIA, …. For so it was that THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL HAD SINNED AGAINST THE LORD THEIR GOD, … and they had FEARED OTHER GODS,

It was time for judgement for Israel and only Judah was in their land!

Hos 10:7, As for Samaria, HER KING IS CUT OFF LIKE A TWIG ON THE WATER. 

2Ki 17:13-14, Yet the LORD testified …. “Turn from your evil ways, and keep My commandments and My statutes, according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you by My servants the prophets.” NEVERTHELESS THEY WOULD NOT HEAR, BUT STIFFENED THEIR NECKS, LIKE THE NECKS OF THEIR FATHERS, WHO DID NOT BELIEVE IN THE LORD THEIR GOD.

Amo 4:2, The Lord GOD has sworn by His holiness: “Behold, the days shall come upon you When He will take you away with fishhooks, And your posterity with fishhooks. 

The people of the northern kingdom (Israel) were led away naked and connected together with strings and fishhooks pierced through their lower lip! The judgement of the LORD!

2Ki 17:18, Therefore the LORD was very angry with Israel, and removed them from His sight; there was none left but the tribe of Judah alone. 

Nah 1:6, Who can stand before His indignation? And who can endure the fierceness of His anger? His fury is poured out like fire, And the rocks are thrown down by Him. 

2Kings 16, Pass through the fire!

2Ki 16:3, But he walked in the way of the kings of Israel; INDEED HE MADE HIS SON PASS THROUGH THE FIRE, ACCORDING TO THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE NATIONS WHOM THE LORD HAD CAST OUT FROM BEFORE THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL

Lev 18:21, And you shall NOT let any of your descendants PASS THROUGH THE FIRE TO MOLECH, NOR SHALL YOU PROFANE THE NAME OF YOUR GOD: I AM THE LORD

Demon worship! They would heat up a metal statue until it was red hot, then place their children on the arms of it; the sound of drums would drown out the screams of their children!  Demonic!

2Ki 16:7, So Ahaz sent messengers to Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria, saying, “I am your servant and your son. COME UP AND SAVE ME FROM THE HAND OF THE KING OF SYRIA AND FROM THE HAND OF THE KING OF ISRAEL,…

Ahaz trusted in the king of Assyria, but not in the living GOD! When David was in trouble he went to GOD, not man!

Psa 18:3, I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised; SO SHALL I BE SAVED FROM MY ENEMIES.

AHAZ REJECTED GOD AND AS HE MADE HIS SONS PASS THROUGH THE FIRE, HE SHALL BE THROWN IN THE ETERNAL FIRE!

Mat 13:41-42, The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth