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Time To Repent - 2 Kings 14
Time To Repent - 2 Kings 14
I find it impossible to put God 'in a box' and thus be able to anticipate His acts. Such is particularly true concerning king Jeroboam II. He, of course, is named after the first king of the northern kingdom who taught Israel to sin, and he lives up to his namesake. In our reading of 2 Kings he is given about 1/2 of chapter of recognition, yet he is one of the longest reigning kings of Israel - 41 years from 793–753.
In the south, during this same time, Uzziah also has a long reign: 790–739 or 52yrs (2Kgs. 15:2). While Uzziah is busy 'doing what is right in the sight of the LORD' (2Kg.15:3), Jeroboam II "did 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 sin" (2 Kings 14:24). Other kings who lived like that were removed rather quickly, but Jeroboam reigns for over 40 years.
The scripture just states: "The Lord did not say that He would blot out the name of Israel from under heaven, but He saved them by the hand of Jeroboam the son of Joash" (2 Kings 14:27). The context indicates that this statement is about what the Lord would do to Israel at that time: He didn't pronounce judgment --- yet. A bit later, when they have shown no remorse, repentance, or change of heart, Amos foretold:
“For behold, I am going to raise up a nation against you, O house of Israel,” declares the Lord God of hosts, “And they will afflict you from the entrance of Hamath To the brook of the Arabah” (Amos 6:14).
And again:
“The high places of Isaac will be desolated And the sanctuaries of Israel laid waste. Then I will rise up against the house of Jeroboam with the sword” (Amos 7:9).
Such mercy of the LORD as shown to Jeroboam should be seen as longsuffering and patience while the LORD gives them yet another opportunity to repent. Unfortunately, people often take such times of mercy as an indication of their faithfulness and right relationship with God. Thus, instead of repenting, they continue in their wicked ways. So does Jeroboam II. This leads to the final overthrow of the northern kingdom and it is destroyed a few years after Jeroboam's reign.
In the book of Revelation, we read in the letter to the church at Thyatira that they tolerated the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, and she teaches and leads My bond-servants astray so that they commit acts of immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols" (2:20). God doesn't immediately destroy her, but rather states: "I gave her time to repent..." (2:11). Like many, though, "she does not want to repent of her immorality" and was destroyed. Yet, God did give her time! She could never say that God was unfair about His judgment.
Peter, in speaking of the long delay in the 2nd coming of Jesus, was to be considered: "The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9).
We have been given yet another day here. I am glad that the Lord did not come in 1969, or I would have been lost and condemned forever. His not coming allowed me to hear, believe and obey the gospel. The same can be said for you, just change the year. This is the day the Lord has made, let us use it to His glory and attempt to bring others to repentance before it is too late. What are your plans for the day?
Hugh DeLong
