The Bible in a Year
“He did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord, as his fathers had done; he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin.” — 2 Kings 15:9
As I read through the history of Israel’s kings, one truth becomes painfully clear: a nation can slowly grow accustomed to evil. The Northern Kingdom of Israel had nineteen kings after the kingdom divided following Solomon’s death, and not one of them was called good in the sight of the Lord. That repeated pattern should sober every believer because it reveals how sin, when tolerated long enough, eventually becomes normalized. Scripture repeatedly says of these rulers that they continued “the sins of Jeroboam.” What began as one king’s compromise became an entire nation’s spiritual culture.
The standard for determining evil was never public opinion, political approval, or cultural acceptance. Scripture says these kings did evil “in the sight of the Lord.” That phrase matters deeply. Human beings often redefine morality according to convenience or desire, but God’s character remains unchanged. The Hebrew word raʿ (רַע), translated “evil,” refers not merely to mistakes or weakness but to that which is morally corrupt and opposed to God’s holy nature. What society applauds today may still stand condemned before a righteous God. Warren Wiersbe once wrote, “The greatest judgment God can send to a nation is to let the people have their own way.” Israel’s history demonstrates the tragedy of that reality.
What also stands out in this passage is the influence of spiritual inheritance. The text says Zechariah acted “as his fathers had done.” Children often absorb what parents practice more than what they preach. A home that consistently dishonors God plants seeds that frequently appear in the next generation. Conversely, a life of humble obedience can become a blessing that extends for decades. This truth is not meant to create despair for imperfect parents but to remind us that daily faithfulness matters. Our attitudes toward worship, truth, repentance, and integrity quietly shape those who watch us. The apostle Paul echoed this principle in the New Testament when he urged believers, “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1).
Jeroboam’s legacy especially reveals how one leader’s sin can ripple through history long after his death. At least a dozen times Scripture repeats that he “made Israel to sin.” His compromise established patterns that succeeding kings embraced instead of rejecting. Sin rarely remains private. It spreads through influence, imitation, and repetition. An insightful observation from GotQuestions.org notes that Jeroboam institutionalized idolatry in order to secure political power, choosing personal security over covenant faithfulness. That temptation still confronts people today. We are often tempted to compromise truth for acceptance, comfort, or control.
Yet even in these dark chapters of Israel’s history, the Bible points us toward hope. The failures of Israel’s kings create a longing for a righteous King who would lead His people in truth. That longing finds fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Unlike the kings of Israel, Christ did not lead people into sin but into repentance, mercy, and reconciliation with God. Isaiah foretold Him as the King who would reign in righteousness, and the Gospels reveal Him confronting corruption while calling sinners back to the Father. Earthly rulers may fail, but the kingdom of Christ remains holy, just, and eternal.
As we continue through the Scriptures this year, passages like these remind us to examine our own hearts carefully. Patterns matter. Influences matter. Small compromises matter. Faithfulness to God is never outdated, no matter how loudly the culture argues otherwise. The believer is called to walk by the light of God’s Word rather than the shifting shadows of public opinion.
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