Justice & Destruction
June 1, 2014 Series: The Old Testament
Passage: 2 Kings 17:6-18
Talk as a group about the consequences if there is 1) no justice from God or 2) inescapable justice from God…
THE FALL OF ISRAEL
Read 2 Kings 17:6-18. Talk about the tragic irony of this story that in the Land of Promise there was no peace or security. What is daily life like when evil and cruelty displace shalom?
What is it like to lose your basic sense of security or hope?
ANTAGONISTIC & DEPRAVED
Read 2 Kings 17:7-17. What does it mean to be antagonistic? How had Israel’s idolatry and unbelief spiraled down into depravity? And how can you see that in our times & culture today?
Review vv. 7, 9, 11, & 15. What does it mean to sin against the LORD? From vv. 8-10, 12, 14, & 16 how was their idolatry intentional and pervasive? Why is it damning that Israel had become like the nations that their ancestors had driven out?
How have you lived antagonistically against the LORD, either denying that you’re self-willed or denying that Jesus is worthy of your loyalty? Confess your treason to Jesus, begging Him for mercy, forgiveness and a new heart of faithfulness.
BITTER, TRAGIC CONSEQUENCES
Read 2 Kings 17:13 & 18. How is the consequence of being removed from the LORD just? When have you most recently had someone refuse to listen to you? What do you deserve if you continue to refuse to listen to the LORD? What does it mean to lose the LORD’s presence? How readily do you own what you deserve for your antagonism against the LORD, your Maker and Judge?
How is the Gospel miraculous by what God offers compared to what we deserve? We believe that Jesus’ work – agonizing for us – was as our Protagonist. His work to satisfy the Father’s justice against us is the centerpiece of the Gospel because the Father’s justice vs. our guilt requires satisfaction. So how are you prone to trust in your own efforts to deal with God’s wrath? Or what has persuaded you to trust in Christ alone?
- Worship the LORD for His pure justice and holiness. Praise Him, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, that He is just and that His resolve to stop evil is actually the only guarantee that true goodness can endure forever.
- How have you lived antagonistically against the LORD, either denying that you’re self-willed or denying that Jesus is worthy of your loyalty? Confess your treason to Jesus, begging Him for mercy, forgiveness and a new heart of faithfulness.
- Give thanks to Jesus for the miracle of His willingness to die for what you deserve – to be the ultimate Protagonist – suffering for His people. Thank Him for satisfying the Father’s justice against your guilt.
- Who do you know that is currently antagonistic against the Lord in ways that you once were? Pray for them, asking Him to have mercy on them as He has had mercy on you.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to grow in you the fruit of faithfulness – true heart loyalty to the LORD. Pray for a deeper love for Jesus and a greater readiness to turn from any competing allegiance that tempts you away from Him.