Second Kings 13:22-23 says that for all the days of Jehoahaz, Israel suffered and was oppressed by Hazael the king of Syria. Israel would have long been defeated by Hazael if not for the graciousness of the Lord toward them. How God dealt so patiently with Israel tells us that He will never renege on His covenant. He had made a covenant not only with Abraham but also with Isaac and Jacob. In His covenant with them, He had promised not to destroy them nor cast them from His presence. And 2 Kings 13:22-23 tell us that He had kept His Word.
God
had shown great patience with Israel despite the numerous times they had
spurned His love. Israel’s repeated failure to remain faithful to God serves as
a lesson for us too. While God’s patience would hold out long toward us, we
have no right to test it continually and repeatedly. For the matter, His
faithfulness should encourage us to choose to love and obey Him. We must not be
like Israel who had chosen punishment over blessing, and death instead of life,
by their continual disobedience.
Second
Kings 13:24-25 reveal that Ben-Hadad succeeded the throne of Syria when Hazael,
his father died. We are also told that he suffered three defeats at
the hand of Joash the son of Jehoahaz. Three times he had managed to
take back all that Hazael had taken from Israel just as Elisha had predicted.
While he brought military success to Israel, Joash could not change the tide of
their degenerating spiritual condition. Israel did not improve
religiously but continued to test the patience of God.
The call of these verses is for us not to test the patience of God. His long-suffering is a signal for us to re-evaluate our steps, amend and make the needful adjustment to any missteps in life. While God is extending His hand of love toward us patiently, we must not take His kindness for granted. We must never mistake His kindness for His weakness. The reckoning will come one day, whether sooner or later!
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