1 In the twenty-third year of Joash son of Ahaziah king of Judah, Jehoahaz son of Jehu became king of Israel in Samaria, and he reigned seventeen years. 2 He did evil in the eyes of the Lord by following the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, which he had caused Israel to commit, and he did not turn away from them. 3 So the Lord’s anger burned against Israel, and for a long time he kept them under the power of Hazael king of Aram and Ben-Hadad his son.
4 Then Jehoahaz sought the Lord’s favor, and the Lord listened to him, for he saw how severely the king of Aram was oppressing Israel. 5 The Lord provided a deliverer for Israel, and they escaped from the power of Aram. So the Israelites lived in their own homes as they had before.
4 Then Jehoahaz sought the Lord’s favor, and the Lord listened to him, for he saw how severely the king of Aram was oppressing Israel. 5 The Lord provided a deliverer for Israel, and they escaped from the power of Aram. So the Israelites lived in their own homes as they had before.
- 2 Kings 13
Jehoahaz was not a good king, in fact he was an evil king as he did evil in the of the LORD by following the sins of others before him. The LORD was angry with Israel because of the evil things that Jehoahaz led them to do against GOD. GOD's anger caused Israel to be kept under the power of a foreign King, to teach them, to humble them and let them know that they have sinned against GOD. But in their oppression, the King of Israel sought GOD and the LORD listened to him. We can see here just how merciful and compassionate GOD is. He listened to an evil King because GOD felt so sorry for His own people suffering at the hands of the foreigners. He answers the cries of even the most evil person.
Jehoahaz was not a good king, in fact he was an evil king as he did evil in the of the LORD by following the sins of others before him. The LORD was angry with Israel because of the evil things that Jehoahaz led them to do against GOD. GOD's anger caused Israel to be kept under the power of a foreign King, to teach them, to humble them and let them know that they have sinned against GOD. But in their oppression, the King of Israel sought GOD and the LORD listened to him. We can see here just how merciful and compassionate GOD is. He listened to an evil King because GOD felt so sorry for His own people suffering at the hands of the foreigners. He answers the cries of even the most evil person.
GOD's mercy and compassion is nothing without any action. GOD raised up a deliverer for Israel and they were able to escape from the power of a foreign nation. GOD had allowed them to live in their own homes as they did before and so their oppression has ceased. No matter how sinful a king or a person is in the past, when they chose to humble themselves before GOD and seek His face GOD always gives second chances, HE will always be merciful as long as we reach out to Him, He will not remember the sins of our past but will forgive us and treat us kindly not as we deserve. This is how wonderful GOD is. Seek GOD and you will find life more than riches could ever offer.
