Remembering the Deliverance: The Call to Reverence and Worship
"But the LORD, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt with great power and a stretched out arm, him shall ye fear, and him shall ye worship, and to him shall ye do sacrifice." - 2 Kings 17:36
In 2 Kings 17:36, we read, "But the LORD, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt with great power and a stretched out arm, him shall ye fear, and him shall ye worship, and to him shall ye do sacrifice." This verse poignantly encapsulates the fundamental relationship between God and His people, urging us to remember our divine deliverance and respond with reverence, worship, and commitment.
The historical context of this passage is crucial for understanding its significance. The Israelites were facing a serious crisis in their identity and faith, having repeatedly turned away from the Lord in favor of foreign gods. The remnants of Israel were reminded of their shared heritage: the miraculous exodus from Egypt, a defining moment filled with God's undeniable power and grace. This deliverance was not merely a physical journey; it represented a profound spiritual liberation from bondage, oppression, and darkness.
Much like the Israelites, we often find ourselves entangled in the distractions and idolatry of our modern lives. We chase after the fleeting pleasures and assurances of this world, sometimes neglecting the importance of remembering our own deliverance through Christ. In the New Testament, we see the ultimate fulfilment of God's power and love in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Just as the Israelites were called to remember their exodus, we are called to remember our salvation—He has redeemed us from sin, freed us from the shackles of death, and offered us eternal life.
When God reminds the Israelites to "fear" Him, it is a call to understand the true nature of reverence. Fear, in this context, is not one of terror but rather an awe-filled respect for the One who created the heavens and the earth. It encompasses a deep-seated recognition of God’s sovereignty, holiness, and power. We are encouraged to acknowledge His might and holiness in our lives, making sure our worship is rooted in genuine reverence and understanding. Let us not diminish God's power by minimizing our fear of Him. Instead, may we be in holy awe of His greatness each day.
Then comes the call to worship. Worship is not merely a matter of attending church on Sundays or singing songs; it is an all-encompassing lifestyle. To worship the Lord means to express our love, adoration, and submission to Him in every aspect of our lives. Romans 12:1 urges us to present our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable unto God, which is our reasonable service. When we worship Him in spirit and truth, we align ourselves with His purposes and invite His presence to dwell within us.
Finally, God commands the Israelites to make sacrifices. In the Old Testament context, sacrifices were acts of obedience and expression of gratitude towards God. In our current context, we are also called to sacrifice—not of animals, but of our lives. We are to give of ourselves, our finances, our time, and our talents as an offering to the Lord. This act of sacrifice reflects our genuine love for God and our willingness to align our lives with His divine purpose.
As we reflect on this verse and its implications, let us ask ourselves: How are we responding to the God who brought us out of our Egypt? Are we living in reverence, active worship, and sacrificial living? May we make it our mission to remember our deliverance daily, allowing that memory to fuel our faith and devotion. God’s great power—demonstrated on our behalf—deserves our respectful fear, heartfelt worship, and sincere sacrifices.
In conclusion, the truth we glean from 2 Kings 17:36 reminds us of the necessity of recognizing who God is and what He has done. In reflection, may our fears, our worship, and our sacrifices lead us closer to His heart, compelling us to live as faithful witnesses of His love and power, just as He intended.
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2 Kings 17:36 - "But the LORD, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt with great power and a stretched out arm, him shall ye fear, and him shall ye worship, and to him shall ye do sacrifice."
"But the LORD, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt with great power and a stretched out arm, him shall ye fear, and him shall ye worship, and to him shall ye do sacrifice." - 2 Kings 17:36
2 kings 9:34-36
2 Kings 15:36 - "¶ Now the rest of the acts of Jotham, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?"
2 Kings 19:36 - "So Sennacherib king of Assyria departed, and went and returned, and dwelt at Nineveh."
2 Kings 10:36 - "And the time that Jehu reigned over Israel in Samaria was twenty and eight years."
2 Kings 18:36 - "But the people held their peace, and answered him not a word: for the king's commandment was, saying, Answer him not."
2 Kings 17:2 - "And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, but not as the kings of Israel that were before him."
2 Kings 19:17 - "Of a truth, LORD, the kings of Assyria have destroyed the nations and their lands,"
1 Kings 2:36 - "¶ And the king sent and called for Shimei, and said unto him, Build thee an house in Jerusalem, and dwell there, and go not forth thence any whither."
1 Kings 17:2 - "And the word of the LORD came unto him, saying,"
"¶ Now the rest of the acts of Jotham, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?" - 2 Kings 15:36
2 Kings 17:40 - "Howbeit they did not hearken, but they did after their former manner."
"So Sennacherib king of Assyria departed, and went and returned, and dwelt at Nineveh." - 2 Kings 19:36
2 Kings 17:8 - "And walked in the statutes of the heathen, whom the LORD cast out from before the children of Israel, and of the kings of Israel, which they had made."
2 Kings 21:17 - "¶ Now the rest of the acts of Manasseh, and all that he did, and his sin that he sinned, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?"
2 Kings 4:36 - "And he called Gehazi, and said, Call this Shunammite. So he called her. And when she was come in unto him, he said, Take up thy son."
2 Kings 23:36 - "¶ Jehoiakim was twenty and five years old when he began to reign; and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Zebudah, the daughter of Pedaiah of Rumah."
"And the time that Jehu reigned over Israel in Samaria was twenty and eight years." - 2 Kings 10:36
2 Kings 17:17 - "And they caused their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire, and used divination and enchantments, and sold themselves to do evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger."
"And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, but not as the kings of Israel that were before him." - 2 Kings 17:2
"Of a truth, LORD, the kings of Assyria have destroyed the nations and their lands," - 2 Kings 19:17
2 Kings 17:19 - "Also Judah kept not the commandments of the LORD their God, but walked in the statutes of Israel which they made."
"But the people held their peace, and answered him not a word: for the king's commandment was, saying, Answer him not." - 2 Kings 18:36
2 Kings 17:5 - "¶ Then the king of Assyria came up throughout all the land, and went up to Samaria, and besieged it three years."
2 Kings 24:17 - "¶ And the king of Babylon made Mattaniah his father's brother king in his stead, and changed his name to Zedekiah."
2 Chronicles 36:8 - "Now the rest of the acts of Jehoiakim, and his abominations which he did, and that which was found in him, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah: and Jehoiachin his son reigned in his stead."
2 Kings 17:22 - "For the children of Israel walked in all the sins of Jeroboam which he did; they departed not from them;"
2 Kings 17:12 - "For they served idols, whereof the LORD had said unto them, Ye shall not do this thing."
2 Kings 17:14 - "Notwithstanding they would not hear, but hardened their necks, like to the neck of their fathers, that did not believe in the LORD their God."