WE WILL REAP WHAT WE SOW

PROCLAMATION

“Shallum son of Jabesh conspired against Zechariah.  He attacked him in front of the people, assassinated him and succeeded him as king.”  2 Kings 15:10 (NIV)

EXPLANATION

After King Jehoash died, his son Jeroboam succeeded him as king of Israel in Samaria.  Jeroboam did evil in the eyes of The Lord. (2 Kings 14:23-24)  When Jeroboam died, his son Zechariah succeeded him as king and he also did evil in the eyes of The Lord. (2 Kings 15:8-9)  Shallum son of Jabesh conspired against Zechariah.  He attacked him in front of the people, assassinated him and succeeded him as king.  This began a series of kings that did evil in the eyes of The Lord and were killed by their successor.  Menahem son of Gadi attacked Shallum, assassinated him and became king. (2 Kings 15:14)  When Menahem died, his son Pekahiah succeeded him as king. (2 Kings 15:22)  Pekah, one of the chief officers of Pekahiah, conspired against him, assassinated him and became king. (2 Kings 15:25)  Then Hoshea son of Elah conspired against Pekah, attacked and assassinated him and became king. (2 Kings 15:30)

APPLICATION

These kings killed the king, in order to become king, and they were themselves killed by someone else who wanted to be king.  It is not good to put down others in order to get ahead.  As we sow, so shall we also reap. (Job 4:8 and Galatians 6:7)  That which we do to others, sooner or later it will be done to us.  But if we sow righteousness, we will reap blessings from The Lord. (Hosea 10:12)  Remember, the golden rule says that we should do unto others as we would have them to do unto us. (Matthew 7:12)