This is the grievous event of the dispossession of Israel of their inheritance. Off to the sword, the famine and captivity they go, into Samaria come the Babylonians and other assorted heathen nations.
But this chapter is as intriguing as it is grievous. It looks to me as though it depicts a picture of centuries of history of Christian church development.
2 Kings 17:24 And the king of Assyria brought men from Babylon, and from Cuthah, and from Ava, and from Hamath, and from Sepharvaim, and placed them in the cities of Samaria instead of the children of Israel: and they possessed Samaria, and dwelt in the cities thereof.
Here come the heathens! Look what happens.
2 Kings 17:25 And so it was at the beginning of their dwelling there, that they feared not the LORD: therefore the LORD sent lions among them, which slew some of them.
It is my perception, and only my perception, that these heathens are us coming into knowing the Lord. He's placed us in his "lands." But, there is that "lion" again. What does it mean? Is it the devil ravaging the new converts or is it the Word of the Lion of Judah killing unbelievers among the heathen?
Let's look next. Underscore mine.
2 Kings 17:26 Wherefore they spake to the king of Assyria, saying, The nations which thou hast removed, and placed in the cities of Samaria, know not the manner of the God of the land: therefore he hath sent lions among them, and, behold, they slay them, because they know not the manner of the God of the land.
2 Kings 17:27 Then the king of Assyria commanded, saying, Carry thither one of the priests whom ye brought from thence; and let them go and dwell there, and let him teach them the manner of the God of the land.
28 Then one of the priests whom they had carried away from Samaria came and dwelt in Bethel, and taught them how they should fear the LORD.
Bethel = House of God. Is this event of the King commanding that a priest be brought in to teach these heathens a sign or image of the Jew to come that taught salvation to Jews and Gentiles? God makes the point that this priest dwelt in Bethel. That's a clue.
However, look what happens.
2 Kings 17:29 Howbeit every nation made gods of their own, and put them in the houses of the high places which the Samaritans had made, every nation in their cities wherein they dwelt.
30 And the men of Babylon made Succothbenoth, and the men of Cuth made Nergal, and the men of Hamath made Ashima,
31 And the Avites made Nibhaz and Tartak, and the Sepharvites burnt their children in fire to Adrammelech and Anammelech, the gods of Sepharvaim.
This is where it appears to be a foretelling of all the denominational/nondenominational churches that pop up over the centuries. These same churches have their creeds and doctrines all of which are the "gods" various churches swear by, confess by, worship by. My perception, not stating this is gospel truth. It's for your consideration. The entire chapter is both heart wrenching, encouraging and then heart wrenching again. This chapter is very profound. Not that the entire bible isn't profound, but this chapter evokes very strong feelings in me anyway.
But this chapter is as intriguing as it is grievous. It looks to me as though it depicts a picture of centuries of history of Christian church development.
2 Kings 17:24 And the king of Assyria brought men from Babylon, and from Cuthah, and from Ava, and from Hamath, and from Sepharvaim, and placed them in the cities of Samaria instead of the children of Israel: and they possessed Samaria, and dwelt in the cities thereof.
Here come the heathens! Look what happens.
2 Kings 17:25 And so it was at the beginning of their dwelling there, that they feared not the LORD: therefore the LORD sent lions among them, which slew some of them.
It is my perception, and only my perception, that these heathens are us coming into knowing the Lord. He's placed us in his "lands." But, there is that "lion" again. What does it mean? Is it the devil ravaging the new converts or is it the Word of the Lion of Judah killing unbelievers among the heathen?
Let's look next. Underscore mine.
2 Kings 17:26 Wherefore they spake to the king of Assyria, saying, The nations which thou hast removed, and placed in the cities of Samaria, know not the manner of the God of the land: therefore he hath sent lions among them, and, behold, they slay them, because they know not the manner of the God of the land.
2 Kings 17:27 Then the king of Assyria commanded, saying, Carry thither one of the priests whom ye brought from thence; and let them go and dwell there, and let him teach them the manner of the God of the land.
28 Then one of the priests whom they had carried away from Samaria came and dwelt in Bethel, and taught them how they should fear the LORD.
Bethel = House of God. Is this event of the King commanding that a priest be brought in to teach these heathens a sign or image of the Jew to come that taught salvation to Jews and Gentiles? God makes the point that this priest dwelt in Bethel. That's a clue.
However, look what happens.
2 Kings 17:29 Howbeit every nation made gods of their own, and put them in the houses of the high places which the Samaritans had made, every nation in their cities wherein they dwelt.
30 And the men of Babylon made Succothbenoth, and the men of Cuth made Nergal, and the men of Hamath made Ashima,
31 And the Avites made Nibhaz and Tartak, and the Sepharvites burnt their children in fire to Adrammelech and Anammelech, the gods of Sepharvaim.
This is where it appears to be a foretelling of all the denominational/nondenominational churches that pop up over the centuries. These same churches have their creeds and doctrines all of which are the "gods" various churches swear by, confess by, worship by. My perception, not stating this is gospel truth. It's for your consideration. The entire chapter is both heart wrenching, encouraging and then heart wrenching again. This chapter is very profound. Not that the entire bible isn't profound, but this chapter evokes very strong feelings in me anyway.
