Bleak. Sobering. Hopeless. What word would you use to describe 2 Kings 17? The “king of Assyria” is mentioned six times in the opening paragraph, that we might feel his dominating presence. Hoshea, King of Israel submits to him, but then deceives him. While paying tribute to Assyria, Hoshea secretly opens negotiations with Egypt, hoping that Israel might receive the same protection under better terms. Shalmaneser, King of Assyria, can only interpret this as treason, so he brings his war machine to crush Samaria, Israel’s capital. Jewish captives are taken into exile, scattered across the Assyrian empire (v 1-6). What this chapter makes clear is that the ultimate reason for the destruction of the nation was not political, but theological. They rejected the God who had redeemed them from Egyptian bondage. Amazing grace was reciprocated with blatant rebellion. Instead of showing gratitude, Israel succumbed to idolatry, and then ignored the prophets God graciously sent them. “They followed worthless idols and themselves became worthless” (v 15, NIV). It’s a reminder that we become like whoever or whatever we worship. From occult rituals to the abominable practice of child sacrifice, the people of Israel provoked the LORD to anger. So He removed them from His presence. More than being driven away geographically, they were separated from fellowship with God. Only Judah remained in the land, and judgment was coming upon them also. When the kingdom split, Jeroboam was Israel’s first king. By his great sin, he set Israel on a downward trajectory from which she never recovered (v 7-23). After the leading Jews are carried off, imported pagans from elsewhere in the empire resettle the land, intermingling with poor Israelites left behind. (This is the background to the half-Jewish “Samaritans” we meet in Jesus’ day.) Both racially and theologically, results are mixed. The influx of transplants bring their own beliefs and traditions with them to their new home, and Samaria becomes a hodge-podge of religious diversity. Since they do not fear the LORD, He warns them by sending rampaging lions. Assyria’s king responds by sending an exiled priest of Israel to go back and teach the people. But they continue making their own gods, proving they do not truly “fear” the LORD as they may have claimed. The LORD insists on exclusive devotion. Pagan religion is based on preferences; Biblical faith receives what God has revealed. Pagan worshipers invent, Biblical worshipers submit. Not all religion is good; it may very well damn. And the New Testament teaches the same “intolerance.” If Jesus is Lord, all competitors must be excluded (v 24-41). For further meditation: