Look what you did!

Jehoram son of King Jehoshaphat of Judah began to rule over Judah in the fifth year of the reign of Joram son of Ahab, king of Israel. (2 Kings 8:16 NLT)

We’ve been following the kings of Israel, who were leading the northern tribes, and the kings of Judah, who led the southern tribes of God’s chosen people.  The kings of the north (Israel) have been doing bad – leading their people to worship false gods and live out things that the LORD considers to be detestable.  The kings of the south (Judah) have been doing good – walking with God and leading their people to do the same.

But Jehoram followed the example of the kings of Israel and was as wicked as King Ahab, for he had married one of Ahab's daughters. So Jehoram did what was evil in the LORD's sight. But the LORD did not want to destroy Judah, for He had made a covenant with David and promised that his descendants would continue to rule, shining like a lamp forever. (2 Kings 8:18-19 NLT)

Jehoram breaks the positive streak in the south.  He marries one of the king’s daughters from the north and, instead of influencing her do walk with God, he follows her lead and worships Baal.  Now don’t get me wrong.  I’m not saying that it’s her fault.  She didn’t make him jump ship.  She didn’t cause him to worship Baal.  Jehoram was his own man.  Not only that, he was a king in the line of Judah and David.  Jehoram can point the finger of blame at his wife, but it simply won’t up in the court of the LORD.  Jehoram will be told, “Look what you did!”

When Jehoram died, he was buried with his ancestors in the City of David. Then his son Ahaziah became the next king. Ahaziah son of Jehoram began to rule over Judah in the twelfth year of the reign of Joram son of Ahab, king of Israel. (2 Kings 8:24-25 NLT)

Sometimes we hope that our children will do better than we do.  We hope that we will pass down only the good (and none of the bad) from generation to generation.  Whether we pass down good or bad, though, is not completely in our hands.  Especially as they get older, our children decide for themselves.  They become responsible for their actions.  We can only watch as these young adults decide whether or not they will walk together with God.

Ahaziah followed the evil example of King Ahab's family. He did what was evil in the LORD's sight, just as Ahab's family had done, for he was related by marriage to the family of Ahab. (2 Kings 8:27 NLT)

How about you?  Do you try to justify your actions by blaming a spouse?  Perhaps you blame your parents?  Or, do you take responsibility for your actions?  Do you deserve to hear, for good or for bad, “Look what you did!”