Twenty two years – that’s how long the twelve tribes of Israel (north) and Judah (south) walked with the LORD. King Jehu led them to destroy Baal worship in the north and walk in the ways of the LORD. In the south, seven-year-young Joash (led by the teachings of Jehoiada the priest) led the people of Judah to walk in His ways again. After 22 years, however, the north lost their leader, Jehu.
Jehoahaz son of Jehu began to rule over Israel in the twenty-third year of King Joash's reign in Judah. He reigned in Samaria seventeen years. But he did what was evil in the LORD's sight. He followed the example of Jeroboam son of Nebat, continuing the sins that Jeroboam had led Israel to commit. So the LORD was very angry with Israel, and he allowed King Hazael of Aram and his son Ben-hadad to defeat them repeatedly. (2 Kings 13:1-3 NLT)
One generation – that’s all it took. In one generation, the children forgot what happens when we walk away from the LORD. Jehoahaz walked away from God. He led others to walk away from God. Immediately, they started paying for their rebellion. Remember, God will not be mocked.
Then Jehoahaz prayed for the LORD's help, and the LORD heard his prayer, for He could see how severely the king of Aram was oppressing Israel. So the LORD provided someone to rescue the Israelites from the tyranny of the Arameans. Then Israel lived in safety again as they had in former days. (2 Kings 13:4-5 NLT)
When we walk away from God and leave the path the LORD is following, we have a choice to make. Do we continue on the path that takes us away from God? Or, will we return to the LORD and get back on the road with Him? The choice was Jehoahaz’s. The choice is ours as well.
How about you? Have you strayed from the path the LORD was walking with you? Have you left God altogether? What will you choose? Will you get back on the road?
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