"They Feared The Lord, And Served Their Own Gods" (2 Kings 17.88)

by Jarvis, A. G. | Category: General | Apr 1961

The men brought by the king of Assyria to replace the captive Israelites are here presented in an attitude of mind all too frequently found today. At first "they feared not the LORD." Then when His judgement fell upon them, "they feared" Him. But this fear was not of the kind described as "the beginning of wisdom." Fearful of His judgements, they sought compromise. They were prepared to give Him a share of their worship! There was no real change of allegiance (verse 34). "Unto this day they do after the former manners: they fear not the LORD, neither do they after ... the commandment which the LORD commanded the children of Jacob, whom He named Israel" clearly shows that there was no obedience to the revealed will of the LORD.

All this has a solemn lesson for us today. "Religious" life of today is quite separated from any real obedience to God's revealed will. How few tremble at His word! Their only gods are those things which minister to personal advantage and material well-being. None of us is immune from this grave peril. How intensely solemn are the words of the apostle Paul! "They all seek their own, not the things of Jesus Christ" (Philippians 2.21). And again we have the warning words, "Many walk, of whom I told you .... even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross" .... who mind earthly things" (Philippians 3.18, 19).

Jarvis, A. G. | Apr 1961
General