2 Kings 14:23-29 – God is gracious!

Second Kings 14:23-29 give us some facts concerning the reign of Jeroboam II. He succeeded Jehoash his father and had a long reign of 42 years. However, it must be noted that having a long reign is no indication that he was a good king. For Verse 24 makes it clear that he did evil in the sight of God. How? By not departing from the sins of Jeroboam I, the son of Nebat, who was the one who initiated the worship of the golden calves. Though he was not exactly the king he ought to be, God was merciful to him and Israel. He restored the border of Israel from the entrance of Hamath as far as the Sea of the Arabah. This was in fulfillment of the word of the Lord, the God of Israel, through the prophet Jonah. In verse 26 we are told how compassionate God was toward Israel, for He did not say that He would blot them out. So when He saw how much they suffered, He used Jeroboam II and saved them from their misery. All that Jeroboam II had done, how he fought, and how he recovered Israel, Damascus, and Hamath were all written in the Book of the Chronicles of the King of Israel. When he died, he was succeeded by Zachariah, his so son.

When we look at the reign of Jeroboam II, we cannot help but see the faithfulness of God and His unfailing love and mercy. Sinful as he was in following Jeroboam I’s wicked ways, God still helped him deal successfully to restore Israel's border. Not because He was condoning his sin but because he availed to him the opportunity to return to Him. This is precisely what 2 Timothy 2:13 said of Him. God is faithful, and that characteristic of His will never change. He cannot deny Himself. Even when we are faithless, He will still act consistently. He remains faithful in His promises to us. Tough times could be God's signals to us to realign where we have gone astray in life. It is God’s grace, calling us back to Him!