Today’s devotion comes from 2 Kings 15:13-22.
“Shallum son of Jabesh became king in the thirty-ninth year of Uzziah king of Judah, and he reigned one month in Samaria. Then Menahem son of Gadi went up from Tirzah and came to Samaria, and struck Shallum son of Jabesh in Samaria, and killed him and became king in his place. Now the rest of the acts of Shallum and his conspiracy which he made, behold they are written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel. Then Menahem struck Tiphsah and all who were in it and its borders from Tirzah, because they did not open to him; therefore he struck it and ripped up all its women who were with child.
In the thirty-ninth year of Azariah king of Judah, Menahem son of Gadi became king over Israel and reigned ten years in Samaria. He did evil in the sight of the LORD; he did not depart all his days from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which he made Israel sin.
Pul, king of Assyria, came against the land, and Menahem gave Pul a thousand talents of silver so that his hand might be with him to strengthen the kingdom under his rule. Then Menahem exacted the money from Israel, even from all the mighty men of wealth, from each man fifty shekels of silver to pay the king of Assyria. So the king of Assyria returned and did not remain there in the land. Now the rest of the acts of Menahem and all that he did, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel? And Menahem slept with his fathers, and Pekahiah his son became king in his place.” 2 Kings 15:13-22.
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What qualities did Shallum and Menahem, these kings of Israel, have that might inspire us? I cannot even discern any from today’s Scripture. Even the action of Menahem in paying Pul, king of Assyria, a thousand talents of silver which resulted in Pul pulling out of Israel was done for Menahem’s sake, “so that his hand (Pul’s hand) might be with him (Menahem)” to strengthen the kingdom under his rule (Menahem’s rule)”.
“When the righteous increase, the people rejoice,
But when a wicked man rules, people groan.” Proverbs 29:2.
It is easy for us to point our finger at whom we consider to be the wicked man and groan, and many will only see that point in this verse. But, there is hope!
Notice carefully the rest of this verse. “When the righteous increase, the people rejoice”.
We, all the citizens and other occupants of the land, have the hope and the duty to increase the righteous by both doing righteousness ourself in all of our actions and by supporting the righteous to make sure that they increase in numbers and increase in power in our land.
My father was a medical doctor, a surgeon. When he died, at his funeral service, I asked a primary care physician (who referred patients to my father and who was one of my father’s best friends) what he thought of my father. I thought he would be effusive and warm, lovingly praising all the qualities of my father. But, he simply and coldly said: “He was competent”.
I learned that above all what we need from each other, citizens and other occupants of this great land, is to do a good job. So to speak, doing a good job is the beginning of righteousness.
We all have weaknesses and excuses. Just continue to do a good job even when your boss and coworkers not only do not do a good job but also make also it more difficult for you to do your job. Do a good job even when you are tired and cranky. Do a good job even if you do not like who is leading your nation, state, or city.
Consider that others also have weaknesses and excuses, but we want, and even depend on them, to do a good job for us.
If Scriptures makes the following demand on even slaves, consider that we too have the same hope and duty.
“Slaves, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart, as to Christ; not by way of eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart. With good will render service, as to the Lord, and not to men, knowing that whatever good thing each one does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether slave or free.” Ephesians 6:5-8.
“First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.” 1 Timothy 2:1-2.
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 