Origin Story: A Game of Thrones - Week Two

Origin Story – Week TwoThis is the third consecutive year that we’ve worked through the Bible, five books at a time.  As we read the stories and learn about the history written in the Old Testament, we learn truths that we can apply to our own lives. In week two, we’ll examine: The principle 2 Kings revolves around.The history found in 2 Kings.Some relevant lessons to learn from 2 Kings.2 Kings revolves around the principle that persistent sin may be forgiven; but often, the consequences can’t be erased.Our sins may be washed away (forgiven); but often, we bear the consequences of those sins.(Job 4:8, Galatians 6:7-8, Colossians 3:25)The history of 2 Kings is filled with stories of the rise and fall of the kings, and the fall of the nations of Israel and Judah.2 Kings 1:1-2  There was rebellion and Satan worship in the first two verses.At the end of chapter 17, the northern kingdom (Israel) fell. In chapters 18-25, the southern kingdom (Judah) fell.2 Kings 2:11-12  Elijah was taken to heaven in a chariot of fire, and the mantle passed to Elisha.2 Kings 17:13-14  God warned Israel and Judah to turn from their wicked ways, but they didn’t.2 Kings 17:17-18  They did such evil that God removed Israel from His presence. 2 Kings 16:1-3, 7-8, 20   Ahaz, one of the kings of Judah, did terrible evil even sacrificing his son in the fire. He gave the temple treasures as a bribe to another king. His son, Hezekiah succeeded him.2 Kings 18:3-4  Hezekiah did what was right in God’s eyes. He was remarkable and had great faith in God. (2 Kings 19:19, 35)2 Kings 20:1  Hezekiah became ill and was about to die, and he begged for his life. The prophet Isaiah spoke to him about God giving him 15 additional years to live. (Isaiah 38:4-5, 7-8)Hezekiah did remarkable things with those added years:1. He took on a project to preserve the Old Testament Scriptures.2. He is associated with 10 ascent psalms.3. He created a water source under the city of Jerusalem. (2 Chronicles 32:30)2 Kings 20:21, 21:1-3, 10-11  Hezekiah died, and his son, Manasseh, did evil in the eyes of God.2 Kings 25:7, 9, 11  The final king of Judah was Zedekiah. The Jews were taken into captivity by the Babylonians. (Psalm 137:1-4)Disobedient Christians don’t sing (worship).There are some incredibly relevant things to learn from this ancient book. J. Sidlow Baxter said, “We cannot read 2 Kings without thinking of Solomon’s proverb, “The way of transgressors is hard.”  Paul’s words, “The wages of sin is death,” is here demonstrated on a national scale in clearly declared terms of poetic justice for all to see and heed.  Sinning, despite warning, brings ruin without remedy.  Inexcusable wrong brings inescapable wrath.  Abused privilege incurs increased penalty.  The deeper the guilt, the heavier the stroke.  Correction may be resisted, but retribution cannot be evaded.  All these thoughts crowd in our mind when we read 2 Kings as we see the battered, broken tribes of Israel and Judah dragged behind the chariots of their heathen conquerors.  We surely cannot fail to see the central message of the book, “Willful sin brings a willful end.”Could we be modern day prophets warning our country to return to God?1.  If you are a Christian and you love your neighbor, you will wear a mask.2.  If you are a Christian and you love your neighbor, you will share the gospel.