How does 2 Kings 17:28 demonstrate God's desire for His laws to be taught? Scripture Focus: 2 Kings 17:28 “So one of the priests who had been exiled from Samaria came and lived in Bethel, and he taught them how to fear the LORD.” Setting the Scene • Israel has been exiled because of persistent idolatry (2 Kings 17:7-23). • Assyria repopulates Samaria with foreigners who “did not fear the LORD” (v. 25). • God sends lions as judgment, prompting the king of Assyria to ask for an Israelite priest to instruct the new settlers (vv. 25-27). • In v. 28 that priest arrives and immediately begins teaching God’s ways. How the Verse Displays God’s Desire for Instruction • God initiates the solution – He allows calamity to expose spiritual ignorance, then opens a path for truth by moving the king to seek a priest. • God provides a qualified teacher – A covenant priest, though exiled for national sin, is still charged with explaining the law. • Teaching centers on fearing the LORD – “fear” here means reverent obedience; instruction is not theoretical but aimed at shaping life. • God’s concern extends beyond Israel – Even pagans occupying the land must learn His statutes; His law is not tribal but universal (cf. Isaiah 56:6-7). • Oral transmission is essential – Scripture exists, yet God appoints a living voice to unfold it, underscoring the ongoing need for teachers (cf. Nehemiah 8:8). Broader Biblical Witness • Deuteronomy 6:6-7 – “These words…are to be upon your hearts. And you shall teach them diligently to your children.” • Psalm 78:5-6 – God “commanded our fathers to teach their children, that the next generation might know.” • Malachi 2:7 – “For the lips of a priest should preserve knowledge, and people should seek instruction from his mouth.” • Matthew 28:19-20 – The Great Commission includes “teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you.” • 2 Timothy 3:16 – “All Scripture is God-breathed and useful for teaching…” Practical Takeaways • God cares not only that His Word is available but that it is clearly communicated. • He appoints faithful servants to unpack Scripture for those who lack understanding. • Sound teaching guards communities from judgment by leading them into reverent obedience. • The mission to teach extends to all peoples; God’s desire is that every nation learns His ways. • Believers today inherit the priest’s role: know the Word, live it, and pass it on with clarity and urgency. |
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