TEXT: 2 Kings 15: 3, 9, 10, 16, 18, 24, 28, 34, 35
INTRODUCTION: One of the key lessons that Jesus taught His disciples was accountability. He taught this lesson having in mind that all who have come to Him were stewards. Not only are Christians to be ready as He taught using the five wise and foolish virgins, but that they have to be accountable for their stewardship. If you admit that you have been saved to serve, than at the end of your service you should have a report or certificate of service. In essence everyone who comes to Christ must give an account of what they have done as witnesses. You have been given power and authority to be witnesses of the good news Jesus came to give to mankind through His death on the cross of Calvary. How well are you doing? It is time to wake up from slumber and let the light of Christ shine in your lives again.
Power and Authority given: Kings were established in God’s chosen nation to be representatives of God because they rejected God who told them He would be their king. Kings of both the Northern and Southern kingdoms had kings over them who represented God howbeit not adhering to His laws and commands. Power and authority were transferred to them by the anointing with oil by a prophet. While it is true that the king’s person and authority are sacred according to the concept of divine right, it is only absolute to the extent that the law of God is sacrosanct, not tampered with. This concept of divine right can be dangerous for the Church and State as it could make the king dictate to the religious leaders. The concept of constitutional monarchy shares power between the king and a constitutionally organized government and is currently practiced in England after the abolition of the divine right concept. The king is the ceremonial head while the constitution allocates the rest of government power to the legislature and judiciary. Samuel anointed both Saul and David kings over Israel, Elijah anointed Jehu over the Northern kingdom and Jehoiada anointed Joash over Judah after toppling Athaliah who usurped the throne reserved for the lineage of David. Part of what Jesus came to do was to return us back to regarding God as our King, and which He personified. Jesus promised Holy Ghost to His disciples (kings and priests and prophets) for the assignment of witnessing to show forth the works of God just as Israel (Acts 1:8). Peter by the Holy Spirit in the book of Acts 2:38-40, confirmed that this power and authority is for all who believe. My friends you have been given power and authority, use it to advance the cause of God because you shall give account.
Principles and Precepts laid: In doing the will of God on earth and as His servants, God has not left man clueless. He gave the law to Moses, the priests to teach them and whenever they fell away prophets to redirect them. The kings of Israel when ascending the throne are given the law and testimony in their hands by which they would rule the people of God. They made a covenant to follow after the law and precepts of God. In the same way as a believer comes into a relationship with Christ, they enter into a covenant relationship to forsake sin and live as living sacrifices. This is because Christ, the word is the foundation. Bible declares there is no other foundation that can be laid (1Cor.3:11). Anyone who lays any other foundation, worldly wisdom, new age religion is like a man who builds on sand. When anyone has any sense of value of their souls, they will lay their foundation on God himself who is the Rock. It is important to understand these laws and precepts to avoid violating them. The foundation is perfect but what about us. The bible enjoins us to be perfect as the heavenly father is perfect. The question then is who can be perfect. Who can truly follow without mistakes? Perfection can be physical or something on the outside that is clan and healthy, it can be moral-acting in the right way at all times and spiritual which is to be separate and reserved for God. This defines the standard by which one is said to be perfect. Falling short makes one to lose perfect status. In God’s eye perfection is to have salvation and to yield to the process of sanctification (2Tim.3:16-17). Study the principles and precepts and from them develop ideology and how you view the world. We need to apply the rebuke and admonition of God’s word to our lives, and through experience discern between good and evil. May God grant us the grace to pursue perfection diligently in Jesus name.
Performance expected: The records of the kings of Israel was a measure and reflection of how they performed as the Holy Spirit inspired the writers. All scripture is inspired of God and is useful (2Tim. 3:16-17). The records teach us that we are expected to perform since we have been given both power to effectively follow God’s laws and precepts. Israel’s kings generally were non compliant most of the time, for the bible records that the always did what was evil in the sight of God. On the other hand, the kings of Judah were who tried at doing right before God, were recorded as not matching up to the standard of King David because they did not remove the places of idolatry. What was it really that made them to perform inadequately and? Was it unwillingness to be popular, incomplete heart for God, financial considerations, political undercurrents, powerful lobbyists? What is it in our own lives? Whatever it is, one thing we need to know is that each person will give an account to God. Performance is expected of us. There will be no excuses as Jesus makes us to know in Matthew 25: 24-27. We as servants like the kings of Israel and Judah have been entrusted with responsibility and should make profit out of what we have been given. For anyone not making use, like the servant that buried his talent, they would be rebuked as lazy and wicked and the excuse will not be tolerated but judgment. Each and every one of us has power to change this world, even one life, especially those that are hurting. Obstacles, as Jesus stated in John 15: 22, should not be allowed to stop our performance. Menahem’s performance as king was a perfect example of a king who rejected God and committed great wickedness. This further led Israel down the slippery road of idolatry and immorality and ultimately into slavery. No excuses could be given as God had suffered long with them. Romans 1:28-32 warns us of a similar end if we fail to perform. May this not be our portion in Jesus name.