Wednesday 19, November 2014TEXT: 2 KINGS 18:1-12Key Verse: “And at the end ofthree years they took it: evenin the sixth year of Hezekiah, that is the ninth year of Hoshea king of Israel, Samaria was taken” (2 Kings 18:10).The story was told of two young boys who grew up in alocal church. Their Sunday school teacher had special interest in the lads because they were intelligent stars with promising future leadership traits. Years later,one of them had become an outstanding reformer and anactive defender of the Christian faith while the other degenerated into a deadly and criminal advocacy of falsehood. Equalopportunities and privileges in life do not necessarily produce equal results!Today’s text examines the contrast between two kings who ruled in Israel and Judah about the same time. Their relationship with God, which was the reflection of their heart condition, lifestyle, actions and attitude,positioned them differently before God and history.Hosea the son of Elah, who reigned in Israel deviated from all godly precepts and transgressed in things of God to his own peril. His reign terminated the northern kingdom of Israel that had existed for over twohundred years, which eventually disappeared from history as the “ten lost tribes” commonly known as the Samaritans. Hezekiah, onthe other hand, feared God, and worked in His ways. Though his father was ungodly, Hezekiah did that which was right, according toall that David his forefather did. He was with God and God was with him.It is wisdom to pitch one’s tent beside God on the path of righteousness, because righteousness exalteth a nation but sin is a reproach to any people. Hosea, meaning salvation in Hebrewtongue, could neither obtain salvation for himself nor be an agent of salvation for his nation. Hezekiah, which means, strength of God, drew divine strength from God’s righteousness to do exploits. Godly names with special privileges in life that is void of purity and personalrelationship with God and Christ will end up in shame and regret.
