The scripture gave an account of how Israelites rebelled against God.
“For so it was that the children of Israel had sinned against the Lord their God, who had brought them up out of the land of Egypt, from under the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt; and they had feared other gods, and had walked in the statutes of the nations whom the Lord had cast out from before the children of Israel, and of the kings of Israel, which they had made. Also the children of Israel secretly did against the Lord their God things that were not right, and they built for themselves high places in all their cities, from watchtower to fortified city. They set up for themselves sacred pillars and wooden images, on every high hill and under every green tree. There they burned incense on all the high places, like the nations whom the Lord had carried away before them; and they did wicked things to provoke the Lord to anger” (2 Kings 17:7-11).
Due to Israelites sin, God allowed enemies to take them captives to foreign lands. The King of Assyrian invited citizens of other countries to dwell in the land of Israel.
“Then the king of Assyria brought people from Babylon, Cuthah, Ava, Hamath, and from Sepharvaim, and placed them in the cities of Samaria instead of the children of Israel; and they took possession of Samaria and dwelt in its cities” (2 Kings 17:24).
Lesson:
God is patient, loving, and forgiving; however, he can act tough towards any unrepentant sinners. The Creator can decide to remove his protection from any of his children that refuse to repent from his/her wickedness. Meanwhile, the enemies can easily seize the opportunity to attack! Therefore, all children of God must strive hard to satisfy God at all times, so that they can enjoy his divine protection.
Prayer:
Dear God, please do not let me provoke you to anger. Instead, let me live a holy life so that you can be happy with me, and so that you can bless me. For in the name of Jesus Christ I make my requests. Amen.
