2 Kings 17: Idolatry's Reward

We had just bought a new house on an acre of land. I could plant fruit trees and a vegetable garden. Our children could run and yell without disturbing neighbors. All six of us could sit down at the kitchen table. Best of all, there were windows everywhere. When my brother visited, he asked matter-of-factly, "Is this house your goal in life?" He meant, "Do you plan to stay here, or are you planning to `move up'?"

I knew what he meant, but I chose to answer what he actually asked. "No, of course not," I said stoutly. "I don't think any house could be my goal in life." I could answer with confidence because I'm just not a house person, as my grubby kitchen floor and cluttered linen closet will testify. But had Dan chosen another topic (such as work, friends, family, church), I might have had to squirm a little. Idolatry is insidious to us all.

Warming Up to God

Take a private inventory of your own temptations by jotting down answers to the following questions:

• I couldn't live without______________________________________.
• When my mind is idle, it automatically turns to______________.
• If I could have anything in the world, I would choose________.
• The most important thing (or person) to me is________________.
• I know God wants me to _________________________, but I can't.

Read 2 Kings 17

Discovering the Word

• Notice the people and places in verses 1-6. How do these verses outline the final steps to Israel's death as a nation?
• Review the list of sins (there are about twenty) in verses 7-22. What common characteristics do you find?
• The writer of 2 Kings says repeatedly of Israel, "The LORD removed them from his presence." Consider the events of this chapter. What did it mean to Israel in practical terms to be removed from the presence of God (vv. 18, 20 and 23)?
• Do you think that it is possible for people or nations today to be removed from the presence of God? Explain.
• Why did the new Samaritans find it hard to serve one God alone (vv. 24-33)?

Applying the Word

• Looking back to your inventory of temptations, in what areas of your life do you need to be alert to the temptation of idolatry?
• What steps can you take to keep normal healthy interests in the world around you from turning into idolatry?

Responding in Prayer

Confess your areas of weakness to the Lord. Ask him to protect you from idolatry.