What actions does 2 Kings 17:36 command regarding worship and sacrifices to God? “but only the LORD, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt with great power and an outstretched arm—Him shall you fear, to Him shall you bow, and to Him shall you sacrifice.” Actions the Verse Commands • Fear the LORD alone • Bow (worship/serve) before Him alone • Offer sacrifices to Him alone Exclusive Allegiance—“Only the LORD” • Exodus 20:2-3 reminds Israel, “You shall have no other gods before Me.” • Jesus echoes this exclusivity in Matthew 4:10, “Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.” Fear the LORD • Not a terror that drives us away, but reverential awe that draws us in (Proverbs 1:7). • Motivates obedience and keeps our hearts from drifting toward idols (Deuteronomy 6:13). Bow Before Him • Physical posture pictures an inner reality—total surrender (Psalm 95:6). • New-covenant believers bow in spirit and in truth (John 4:24), yielding every sphere of life to His rule. Offer Sacrifices to Him • Under the old covenant: animals and grain offerings pointed to atonement (Leviticus 1-7). • Fulfilled in Christ’s once-for-all sacrifice (Hebrews 10:10). • Today we still “present [our] bodies as a living sacrifice” (Romans 12:1) and “continually offer up a sacrifice of praise” (Hebrews 13:15). Putting It Into Practice • Guard your heart from competing loyalties—ask, “Is the LORD truly first?” • Cultivate reverence: meditate on His mighty deliverance—especially the cross and empty tomb. • Bow daily—kneel in prayer or adopt another posture that expresses submission. • Offer heartfelt praise, generous giving, and obedient living as your sacrifices of worship. 2 Kings 17:36 calls God’s people, then and now, to exclusive, wholehearted worship expressed in reverent fear, humble submission, and devoted sacrifice. |
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