“So the LORD was very angry with Israel and removed them from his presence.” (v.18)
The first six verses of our reading today record the final end for northern Israel, including its destruction and deportation. However, the more important lesson comes in the next fourteen verses, explaining the reasons for Israel’s demise.
First, Israel did not remember its past. There’s an old saying, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” This forgotten past included not only God’s grace in bringing them out of Egypt (v. 7), but also the fate suffered by their forefathers who refused God’s word and remained stiff-necked (v. 14).
Second, Israel repeatedly and thoroughly fell into pervasive idolatry. Their idolatry was a full-blown disobedience: worshiping Asherah, Baal, and the starry host; offering child sacrifice; and setting up altars throughout the land. Scripture summarizes their fate in verse 15 saying, “They followed worthless idols and they themselves became worthless.”
Finally, Israel ignored God’s repeated pleas for repentance. Twice God mentioned His grace in sending prophets to call the people back to Himself (vv. 13, 23). Yet Israel did not heed those calls. All of Israel’s forgetting, rejecting, and ignoring did one thing, it provoked God to anger and brought the most serious judgment of all, mentioned three different times: the loss of God’s presence (vv. 18, 20, 23).
Don’t let this history lesson go unheeded. Repent and renew your commitment to Christ today. Accept His grace and avoid His judgment.
The Truth: “Look to Me, and be saved, All you ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other.” (Isaiah 45:22)
