Restoration of faith is the key to solving the problem
2 Kings 13:1~13
□ Praise and Shaing
Hymn 263 This world is rough
Hymn 84 The whole world is dark
How did you spend last week?
Chuseok(Korean Thanksgiving Day)
In order to solve a problem, we must look deeper into the hidden depths rather than the revealed surface layer. A solution that fails to fix the fundamental problem will not last long. Even evil people can cling to God when they are cornered. Sometimes God listens to the prayers of the wicked and shows mercy. However, a temporary improvement in the situation does not mean full recovery. Only when sin is removed can problems be corrected, and when faith is restored, life can be restored.
□ Words and Sharing
1. Jehoahaz, the son of Jehu, becomes king and rules over northern Israel (verses 1-4).
1) What kind of king was Jehoahaz? (verse 2)
2 And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD: he followed in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who caused Israel to sin, and did not depart from them.
King Jehoahaz did evil in the sight of the Lord because he followed in the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, who had caused Israel to sin, and did not turn away from them.
2) How does God punish Israel for their sins? (verse 3)
3 And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he delivered them into the hand of Hazael king of Aram, and into the hand of Benhadad his son.
God punishes Israel by handing them over to the king of Aram, Hazael, and his son.
3) Why did God save Israel from Aram’s abuse? (verse 4)
4 Jehoahaz prayed to the LORD because the king of Aram was oppressing Israel, and the LORD heard him, because he saw that they were oppressed.
Because King Jehoahaz prayed to the Lord, God delivered Israel from the oppression of Aram.
<Sharing 1> Even if you are an evil person, if you turn and come before God and pray, God will listen. Prayer is the key to solving problems and the power of life. What is my prayer life like today? Let’s summarize it in one sentence and share what I need to work on.
There are many prayer topics to pray for, but it feels like chanting a spell. We need earnest and deep prayer with the help of the Holy Spirit.
2. Israel, which still cannot abandon its sins, is annihilated (verses 5-13).
1) Why were the Israelites almost annihilated? (verses 5-7)
5 Then the LORD gave Israel a deliverer, and the children of Israel escaped from the hand of the Aramean and dwelt in their tents as before.
6 They did not turn away from the sins of the house of Jeroboam, which had caused Israel to sin, but walked in them and left the Asherah pole in Samaria.
7 The king of Aram destroyed the people of Jehoahaz and reduced them to the dust of the threshing floor. He left none left to Jehoahaz except fifty horsemen, ten chariots, and ten thousand foot soldiers.
Because the Israelites did not turn away from the sins of the house of Jeroboam, which had caused Israel to sin, but followed them and left the Asherah pole in Samaria, Israel was almost destroyed.
2) What kind of king was Jehoahaz’s son Joash (Jehoash)? (verse 11)
11 And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD: he did not turn away from all the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which he had caused Israel to sin, but he walked in them.
Like his father, Jehoahaz, Joash (Jehoash) did what was evil in the eyes of the Lord and did not turn away from all the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, who had caused Israel to sin.
<Sharing 2> Although Israel turned around for a while, it still could not escape its sins and eventually fell into great pain. Let's think about why we can't easily give up sin even though we know its dangers, and share what effort is needed to get rid of sin.
Even if we cannot cut off the members of our body to cut off sin, we must pray for the fiery sword of the Holy Spirit to be given to us so that we can cut off that sin.
<Sharing 3> The sins of Northern Israel started with the first king, Jeroboam, and spread to all kings and people after him. The influence of sin is so powerful that it penetrates through the ages and erodes society as a whole. Let’s think about what sins are casting a shadow over Korean society today, and talk about what our role is in them.
Sins such as game addiction, bullying, alcohol addiction, divorce, suicide, idolatry, heresy, greed, and selfishness are casting a shadow over today's Korean society. As Christians, we can cut off and abandon our sins by repenting with the intercessory heart of Jesus. We must pray and put it into practice.
□ Pray Together
God, let us pray without ceasing with the help of the Holy Spirit!
Through the floods in Korea, Vietnam, and India, help us realize our sins, repent, and turn away from our sins!
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