2 Kings 18:11,12
“Then the king of Assyria led Israel into exile to Assyria, and put them in Halah and on the Habor, the river of Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes. This happened because they did not obey the voice of the LORD their God, but violated His covenant, all that Moses the servant of the LORD had commanded; they would neither listen nor do it.”
This is a sad occurrence. Israel had been defeated before, but I believe this is the first time they’ve been led into exile. I also believe that they aren’t coming back in the bible. This is unlike Judah who was led into Babylon for 70 years then back to their homeland. Israel may have come back as a trickle, but not as a nation, if I recall.
The reason is given, they did not obey the voice of the Lord their God, but violated His covenant…they would neither listen to it (the covenant). This doesn’t mean they are condemned to hell, just a more difficult life and a more difficult life of faith, if they return to it.
God would allow them to be defeated on occasion, because they were being disobedient. They would repent and God would free them. Your could pass. But a liberation would happen as they returned to God.
The same thing happens to us as believers. When we drift from Him and no longer obey Him, He will send things our way to get our attention to bring us back. I’ve had pangs of conscience that achieved the same purpose.
This is God’s love doing His work to bring His children back. I Corinthians 10:11 says this, “Now these things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come.” All of the biblical history was written for our instruction. God’s love in action.
The story of the prodigal son was a description of human father and son. It was meant to depict us and our heavenly Father. What God could do more is to be everywhere. He can speak to our hearts and alter circumstances to bring us back.
Some respond with a slight slap on the wrist, others require more drastic interruptions. Some drift for a couple hours, others drift for years. God is seeking to draw us back (Isaiah 65:2).
Paul gives an extreme example of one that is stubborn in rebellion. He says to “hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved on the Day of the Lord.” The saving of the soul is primary. That’s better than a long life.
It’s better to have a sensitive heart and return to Him quickly. Much heartache and misery can be spared. I’ve heard it called, instant obedience.
Lord, thank You for bringing us back. Thank You for the corrections that You send. Help us to respond to Your voice quickly. Your love holds us in Your hand.