2 Chronicles / Book of Chronicles Bible Lesson – 16
Just for your thoughts.
2 Chronicles / Book of Chronicles
Bible Lesson – 16
The People of Israel Who Missed Their Final Opportunity.
The land of Israel, which remained united until the reign of King Solomon, was divided into two after his death—the Northern Kingdom and the Southern Kingdom.
The northern part was called Israel, and the southern part was called Judah.
Most of the kings who ruled the northern kingdom of Israel did not walk in ways pleasing to the Lord. They turned away from Him, failed to keep His commandments, and gave themselves over to idol worship.
From Jeroboam to King Hoshea, about nine dynasties ruled the kingdom of Israel.
The kingdom of Israel lasted only about 209 years, from 931 BC to 722 BC.
In 722 BC, the Assyrians came, destroyed Samaria, and brought the kingdom of Israel to an end.
The Final Opportunity Given by the Lord
Despite their long-standing refusal to repent, the Lord once again extended a gracious opportunity to the people of Israel.
That opportunity came during the reign of King Hezekiah of Judah.
During his reign, King Hezekiah made earnest efforts to celebrate the Passover in a special and meaningful way.
After the time of Solomon, nearly 250 years later, the Passover was celebrated with such widespread participation and invitation.
The Passover was a feast appointed by the Lord for all the people of Israel, whom He delivered from slavery in Egypt.
Therefore, King Hezekiah, with great generosity of heart, invited his own brothers and kinsmen—the people of the northern kingdom of Israel—to take part in this festival.
Hezekiah’s Invitation
By the king’s command, messengers carried letters written by the king and his officials throughout Israel and Judah.
The letter said:
“People of Israel, return to the LORD, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, that He may return to you who are left and have escaped from the hand of the king of Assyria.
Do not be stiff-necked, as your fathers were, but submit yourselves to the LORD.
Come to His sanctuary, which He has consecrated forever.
Serve the LORD your God, so that His fierce anger may turn away from you.
If you return to the LORD, then your brothers and your children will be shown compassion by their captors and will come back to this land.
For the LORD your God is gracious and merciful; He will not turn His face away from you if you return to Him.”
(2 Chronicles 30:6–9)
The Missed Opportunity
The people of Israel could have accepted this invitation and participated in the Passover.
They could have received the mercy of the Lord.
Seeing their repentance, the Lord might have brought them back to their land.
But they missed that opportunity.
They mocked and scorned the messengers who brought the invitation.
However, some from the tribes of Asher, Manasseh, and Zebulun humbled themselves and went to Jerusalem.
Thus, it can be said that most of the people of Israel lost the final opportunity graciously given by the Lord.
They did not return to the Lord in repentance.
As a result, Assyrian captivity swallowed them up.
Jesus’ Warning
When we reflect on this, the words spoken by our Lord Jesus Christ while looking at Jerusalem come to mind:
“If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes.”
(Luke 19:42)
A Lesson for Us
Likewise, for every believer and every child of God,
even in the midst of divine discipline,
the Lord surely gives a final opportunity.
Blessed indeed are those who recognize that opportunity, respond to it,
and reclaim their calling.