No Wipe Out

O. T. #855  "No Wipe Out"
Oct. 21, 2016
2 Kings 14-Part 3


LET IT GLOW

There were a few bits of information which I neglected to say about Azariah. Azariah's name means helped of Jehovah. He was also called Uzziah, which means strength of the Lord. He was Judah's great king, for he accomplished much, such as:

• God gave him victory over the Philistines and Arabian nations;
• he lead in great building programs and developed a water supply;
• his military was remarkable;
• he used the latest machinery for waging war.  (Wiesbe)

One thing which is notable is during his last year as king that the prophet Isaiah received his call to service for God. (Isaiah 6)

Azariah reigned 52 years in Judah. He became leprous when he functioned as a priest in the Temple by making an offering.

Now in verses 23-29, we jump over to Israel again. Jeroboam II was king during the same time Azariah's father, Amaziah, was king in Israel (his 15th year). That is our time frame.

Let's skip down to verses 26 and 27 and see the Lord's mercy upon Israel: For the LORD saw the bitter suffering of everyone in Israel, and that there was no one in Israel, slave or free, to help them. And because the LORD had not said He would bot out the name of Israel completely, He use Jeroboam II, the son of Jehoash, to save them.

Let me throw in this information. It was during Jeroboam's reign as king that Jonah served as his prophet. Also during this time, the great heathen and powerful Assyria was an eminent threat to Israel. As a result of Jonah's preaching in Ninevah, many had a change of heart and Assyria's captivity of Israel was postponed some 130 years. Folks, if we pray and ask God, I believe that He can and will be merciful to America. Please join me in interceding for America as we count down the days to vote for our new president.

Also, it was during Jeroboam II's rule of Israel that God raised up the prophets Amos, who was a hillbilly and shepherd, as well as a fig gatherer, who was used of God to warn of God's judgment if the nation of Judah did not repent of its national sin of idolatry. Amos was also a prophet whom God used to warn Israel by showing how they left God and played the harlot of worshiping idols-Amos was told by God to marry Gomer the harlot. Israel was in spiritual adultery, and if they didn't repent then Assyria would conquer them, which happened. We will study those prophets toward the end of the Old Testament.

Do we listen to God's warnings to repent of our sins and turn back to Him?

LET IT GROW

Jeroboam II's greatest accomplishment was expanding the boundaries of Israel. It was due to Syria being weak from waring with Assyria. The cities of Damascus and Hamath were recovered by Israel.

Did you notice that the Lord did not decree that He would wipe out Israel in verse 27? We know that to be true because in 1948 Israel became a nation once again. (But it was through Judah that Jesus came.)

Whew! Pray one more time for your loved ones, neighbors, and nation, please. Ask God to not wipe out America so we can support His Beloved Israel.


LET IT GO

As for mercy.
Pray for repentance of sins.
Believe God will show pity on America.