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The End Has Come, But It Is Not Over
The books of Kings (written initially as a single book) are not a great record of faithfulness to God.
2 Kings ends with both the southern and the northern kingdoms exiled from the land. Leadership and people taken away from the land God had promised to their ancestors. The Temple and palace burned.
While the books of 1 and 2 Kings have their shimmering moments, they are not a feel-good story. They chronicle the struggles of a nation whose leadership has failed her. While these books focus on the lives and deeds of the kings, all throughout this time, God was sending prophets to warn the people of the coming punishment and to call them back to faithful worship of God and life according to the laws of the Lord.
Though the people did not listen and were ultimately sent into exile, we leave this book with a glimmer of hope.
The final section of 2 Kings describes the Jewish king's release from prison while in exile. Though this is not a full restoration from exile, it teases the fact that punishment is not the end of the story. God is still watching over his people and still working for their good. Their story is not over.
That is our lesson throughout this whole book of 2 Kings, men. No matter what stage or situation we find ourselves in, our story is not over. There is still a faithful and loving God who is watching over us. It may be a long time, as it was for Jehoiachin, but our last chapter has yet to be chronicled. Wait patiently for what God is still doing, and seek to be bold men who obey Him while you wait.
Prayer: God of restoration, thank You that the story of Your redemption is still being written and that You have included me in that story. Help me to see that, even when things seem dark, there is light that shines from Your faithfulness. Amen.
Reflection: Are you waiting for God to finish writing a particular chapter of your story? Ask God for the patience to trust Him.
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About this Plan
The Book of 2 Kings is a story of a nation struggling to be faithful to a good God and the consequences of that struggle. Amid the land's idolatry, bold men rose up to call out evil and call the nation back to God. In this week of devotionals, we will look at these men and learn from their boldness as we do an overview of the Book of 2 Kings.
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