“But they would not listen and were as stiff-necked as their ancestors, who did not trust in the Lord their God. They rejected his decrees and the covenant he had made with their ancestors and the statutes he had warned them to keep. They followed worthless idols and themselves became worthless. They imitated the nations around them although the Lord had ordered them, “Do not do as they do.”
II Kings , 15
It has been said that “You become like what you worship.”
These verses certainly support that view.
Perhaps though the single greatest advice we can glean from these two verses are the last six words “Do not do as they do.”
What can we learn from this?
Let’s look at some of those things God said they did or did not
do as a way to understand how we ought to respond.
They did not listen
They were stiff-necked.
They did not trust in the Lord their God.
They rejected his decrees and covenants.
They followed worthless idols.
They imitated the nations around them.
That is six specific ways that they did those things displeasing to God.
Now let me give you six scriptural antidotes following the same order as above.
Give ear and come to me; listen, that you may live.
“I will make an everlasting covenant with you, my faithful love promised to David.”
“I will make an everlasting covenant with you, my faithful love promised to David.”
Isaiah 55:3
“Circumcise your hearts, therefore, and do not be stiff-necked any longer.”
Deuteronomy 10:16
“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.”
Psalm 20:7
“My soul is consumed with longing for your laws at all times.”
Psalm 119:20
“Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.”
I Corinthians 11:1
“Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God.”
3 John 1:11
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