“Then the king of Assyria invaded the entire land, and for three years he besieged the city of Samaria.” 2 Kings 17:5
“Three years later, during the sixth year of King Hezekiah’s reign (Judah) and the ninth year of King Hoshea’s reign in Israel, Samaria fell. 11 At that time the king of Assyria exiled the Israelites to Assyria and placed them in colonies in Halah, along the banks of the Habor River in Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes.” 2 Kings 18:11-12
“Finally, in the ninth year of King Hoshea’s reign, Samaria fell, and the people of Israel were exiled to Assyria. They were settled in colonies in Halah, along the banks of the Habor River in Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes. 7 This disaster came upon the people of Israel because they worshiped other gods. ” 2 Kings 17:6-7
“The king of Assyria transported groups of people from Babylon, Cuthah, Avva, Hamath, and Sepharvaim and resettled them in the towns of Samaria, replacing the people of Israel. They took possession of Samaria and lived in its towns. 25 But since these foreign settlers did not worship the Lord when they first arrived, the Lord sent lions among them, which killed some of them. 26 So a message was sent to the king of Assyria: “The people you have sent to live in the towns of Samaria do not know the religious customs of the God of the land. He has sent lions among them to destroy them because they have not worshiped him correctly.” 27 The king of Assyria then commanded, “Send one of the exiled priests back to Samaria. Let him live there and teach the new residents the religious customs of the God of the land.” 28 So one of the priests who had been exiled from Samaria returned to Bethel and taught the new residents how to worship the Lord. 29But these various groups of foreigners also continued to worship their own gods. In town after town where they lived, they placed their idols at the pagan shrines that the people of Samaria had built.” 2 Kings 17:24-29 NLT
God of Judgement and Mercy,
Your people in the Kingdom of Israel continued to ignore You and Your covenant and Laws. Their sin led them to be defeated and dissipated among their enemies. And their enemy taking up the spaces left behind by them.
Those left behind had to adjust to the influx of Babylonians who no doubt acted like victors over them. But then there are lions! They immediately took them as a sign from You! I wonder how the priests felt returning to teach the new residents, their overlords, the Law of the Lord? But it was a front. They worshipped You, God while they placed their idols where Your people had pagan shrines. That says it all. You send lions as judgement and not a disaster or a plague?
One day the Lion of Judah will come to judge. Not the gentle Jesus we sometimes sing of but the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, who triumphed. Who is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.(Revelation 5:5). And judge all of mankind. You remind us that heaven is not a fluffy, woolly place with all the things we like and desire. To be honest I wonder why anyone would want to go there unless they wanted to be with You, knew You and loved You.
The incomers to Samaria and Israel took heed of the lions but underneath still did their own thing. Faced with the Lion of Judah, fearful and yet welcoming, do we embrace His judgement and accept His total forgiveness and retain no selfishness? Ah but then none of us are ever perfect and we are drawn back to the cross where all is forgiven once again. Thank You for Your indescribable gift (2 Corinthians 9:15).
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Tuesday 22nd July 2025
You’re the Lion of Judah, the Lamb that was slain
You ascended to heaven and ever more will reign
At the end of the age when the earth You reclaim
You will gather the nations before You
And the eyes of all men will be fixed on the Lamb
Who was crucified
With wisdom and mercy and justice You’ll reign
At Your Father’s side
And the angels will cry: “Hail the Lamb
Who was slain for the world, Rule in power”
And the earth will reply: “You shall reign
As the King of all kings and the Lord of all lords”
There’s a shield in our hand and a sword at our side
There’s a fire in our spirits that cannot be denied
As the Father has told us for these You have died
For the nations that gather before You
And the ears of all men need to hear of the Lamb
Who was crucified
Who descended to hell yet was raised up to reign
At the Father’s side
Lyrics|: Robin Mark