Blessing the Mess

2 Kings 14:23–24 (ESV) In the fifteenth year of Amaziah the son of Joash, king of Judah, Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel, began to reign in Samaria, and he reigned forty-one years. 24 And he did what was evil in the sight of the LORD. He did not depart from all the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which he made Israel to sin.

The Lord's patience with Israel is on full display during the reign of Jeroboam II. He is a wicked king. He does not even try to seek the Lord. Yet, in spite of this, the Lord will help him expand territory and rebuild Israel.

Now, this is how the Bible fits together. There are two prophets prophesying to the Northern territory of Israel during this time. One is mentioned in the text - Jonah and the other isn't but mentions the events of 2 Kings 14. His name is Amos.

First, let's look at the "success" of Israel under the evil Jerobam II:
2 Kings 14:25 (ESV) He restored the border of Israel from Lebo-hamath as far as the Sea of the Arabah, according to the word of the LORD, the God of Israel, which he spoke by his servant Jonah the son of Amittai, the prophet, who was from Gath-hepher.

The text brings out a few important points for us as we watch God interact with His rebellious nation during some of her darkest years. First, on the surface, it would seem God is blessing the mess that has become Israel. Why would He do this? Well, reading further, we see why. It is not for Jeroboam, nor for the sake of His own glory. No, God's concern is, as always for the PEOPLE:

2 Kings 14:26 (ESV) For the LORD saw that the affliction of Israel was very bitter, for there was none left, bond or free, and there was none to help Israel.

There was none to help Israel. The king was supposed to help but he hurt. The prophets interpret these terrible times differently. First, there's Jonah, YES, the one from the great fish. He has quite a successful ministry as Israel collapses upon itself. He prophesies expansion of the land and expansion happened. God's Word is fulfilled through him. 

Then there's Amos. Amos interprets this victory in Lebo-hamath very differently. He writes the following:
Amos 6:13–14 (ESV) you who rejoice in Lo-debar, who say, “Have we not by our own strength captured Karnaim for ourselves?” 14 “For behold, I will raise up against you a nation, O house of Israel,” declares the LORD, the God of hosts; “and they shall oppress you from Lebo-hamath to the Brook of the Arabah.”

Earlier in the same chapter, Amos writes:
Amos 6:8 (NLT) The Sovereign LORD has sworn by his own name, and this is what he, the LORD God of Heaven’s Armies, says: “I despise the arrogance of Israel, and I hate their fortresses. I will give this city and everything in it to their enemies.”

The interesting facts around these prophecies and events are these. First, Assyria is growing in strength and territory and they seem like the soon conquering nation of Israel and the world. It will be to the capital of Assyria, Nineveh where Jonah will at first refuse to take God's Word. Second, we see that just because the nation has a bit of an upswing, the spiritual condition (the unseen reality) is far worse than they realize. 

It brings to mind our own world. There's what you see, and then there's how God sees what you see. I'm fully convinced that we live in a world dominated by evil where lies and deception abound. Who can you really trust? What institution? Yet we also see great prosperity. If we are mindful of the difference between how God sees us and how we see us, we do well to humbly ask for His Word and correction. Israel soon succumbs to these growing threats, unfortunately, because of her pride. Her story is a warning that we do not do the same.

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