The Birth of a Wicked King

This passage covers the history of the kings of northern Israel from Jeroboam up to Ahab. With kings such as Nadab, Baasha, Zimri, and Omri replaced after short reigns, a history of extreme instability and conspiracy repeats itself, in contrast with King Asa of southern Judah. In particular, Omri and his son Ahab, though they had political stability and military ability, chose the way of idolatry and disregard for God's law, and grew more and more wicked.

Even in this dark history, the prophet Hanani and his son Jehu carried out the mission of proclaiming God's truth, which transcends the ages. They rebuked the wicked kings and kept the faith to the end, and God remembers their faithfulness. On the other hand, the case of Hiel, who rebuilt the city of Jericho despite Joshua's warning, shows that God's word is unfailingly fulfilled. When a leader's faith is not upright, the foundations of the nation crumble and the people rush down the road of spiritual corruption.

The world is growing darker as it moves toward the end times, but we must choose whether to yield to the world's current or to rely on God alone. Drawing on the lessons of history already given to us, with what attitude can we carry out our mission to the end and pass faith on to our children?