The world is broken down by the effects of sin. Sin separates people from their neighbors and separates all humanity from God. Sin causes us to war with our neighbor and battle discord in our own hearts. Only Christ can bring us peace with ourselves and with one another. The events in 2 Kings underscore the inevitable consequences of ignoring God and going our own way.
The Book of 2 Kings continues the drama begun in 1 Kings--the tragic history of two nations on a collision course with exile and captivity. The author systematically traces the reigning monarchs of Israel and Judah, first by carrying one nation's history forward, then retracing the same period for the other nation.
If the prophet Jeremiah did not write this book, it was probably written by one of his contemporaries. The majority of 2 Kings was written before the Babylonian captivity. However, the last two chapters of 2 Kings were probably added to the book after the Babylonian captivity and written by someone other than Jeremiah.
The discord that shook the unity of the kingdoms was still felt during Christ's time. Christ is often called the "Prince of Peace" - Isaiah 9:6, and He fulfilled that role during His ministry through His teaching and presence as a direct descendant of David--a king who once brought prosperity and joy to Israel.
Second Kings also chronicles the ministries of Old Testament prophets Elijah and Elisha, both of whom foreshadow the work and ministry of Christ. Like these two prophets, Jesus called people back to God. Many, in fact, believed that he was Elijah returned to earth - Mark 8:27, 28. But Jesus was more than that. He was--and is--God in the flesh.
God Bless,
Dan
The Book of 2 Kings continues the drama begun in 1 Kings--the tragic history of two nations on a collision course with exile and captivity. The author systematically traces the reigning monarchs of Israel and Judah, first by carrying one nation's history forward, then retracing the same period for the other nation.
If the prophet Jeremiah did not write this book, it was probably written by one of his contemporaries. The majority of 2 Kings was written before the Babylonian captivity. However, the last two chapters of 2 Kings were probably added to the book after the Babylonian captivity and written by someone other than Jeremiah.
The discord that shook the unity of the kingdoms was still felt during Christ's time. Christ is often called the "Prince of Peace" - Isaiah 9:6, and He fulfilled that role during His ministry through His teaching and presence as a direct descendant of David--a king who once brought prosperity and joy to Israel.
Second Kings also chronicles the ministries of Old Testament prophets Elijah and Elisha, both of whom foreshadow the work and ministry of Christ. Like these two prophets, Jesus called people back to God. Many, in fact, believed that he was Elijah returned to earth - Mark 8:27, 28. But Jesus was more than that. He was--and is--God in the flesh.
God Bless,
Dan
