The Battle Is the Lord'sSample

God uses a foreign king to discipline his people

The Israelites were God’s chosen people and He had given them the land of Canaan as an eternal possession — on the condition that they would keep their covenant with the Lord and not serve other gods. This condition had been clear from the beginning. But the people did not keep their promise. Despite many warnings, they repeatedly turned away from the Lord. Then God punished them. =

The books of Kings and Chronicles describe how God “stirred up” foreign kings to make war against Israel and to take his chosen people into exile. He even allowed them to destroy the temple in Jerusalem. Those kings had no idea of their place in God’s plans, they were just trying to extend their own power. But God used them to discipline his people. He was behind their selfish ambitions and allowed them to harm the Israelites. “The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will.” (Proverbs 21:1)

This story shows that God can use people’s political and military undertakings for his plans, even if these people have no conscious intention of obeying the Lord!