“Even while these people were worshiping the Lord, they were serving their idols.” (2 Kings 17:40).

A sad commentary on the spiritual health of Israel during a long period of religious compromise! It is easy to read the story of Israel with a holier-than-thou mindset; tut-tutting about their obtuse and stiff-necked ways. But this Scripture should disturb us too. It reminds us that we too are surrounded by people and nations that that do not acknowledge the God of Jesus Christ. The practices of idolatry are relentlessly seductive, and without even realising what we are doing, we easily fall into a pattern of thinking to worship our God while we are adopting pagan values. Let each one examine himself.