"(Azariah) did what was right in the eyes of the LORD" ~ 2 Kings 15:3a
"(Zechariah) did what was evil in the sight of the LORD" ~ 2 Kings 15:9a
"(Shallum) reigned one month" ~ 2 Kings 15:3b
"(Menahem) did what was evil in the sight of the LORD." ~ 2 Kings 15:18a
"(Pekahiah) did what was evil in the sight of the LORD." ~ 2 Kings 15:24a
"(Pekah) did what was evil in the sight of the LORD." ~ 2 Kings 15:28a
"(Jotham) did what was right in the eyes of the LORD" ~ 2 Kings 15:34a
Do you see the pattern?
Except for Shallum, whose reign was too short to make much impact and was probably murdered before he could conduct any evil deeds, all of the kings of the northern tribe of Israel during this period (~ 767-718 B.C.) were bent on doing evil in God's sight.
Their moral compass was broken.
They were paddling with one oar weakened by sin-pocked scars.
They were seeking their personal status at the cost of their soul's condition.
And on either side of this historical fast-forward through this 2 Kings chapter 15 text, we see two kings of Judah who are described as "doing what was right" in God's eyes (Azariah - also called Uzziah - and Jotham). These "bookends" of obedience might be said to be holding up the whole shelf of kingly rule, providing a measure of calm and godly obedience in the midst of the storm of rebellion displayed by the rulers of the northern kingdom.
And yet...
And yet the thread that holds the narrative together is NOT the stellar character qualities of these kings of the southern kingdom (Judah). The driving perspective is that these two God-honoring kings were doing that which was right IN THE EYES OF THE LORD.
The Spirit of the One True God was working through these leaders to cause them to desire to align their character and conduct with the leading of God's own heart. They were delighting in the LORD and He was granting them the desires of their hearts, which turns out was that they desired to see God honored above all.
Praying for your delight in the LORD to grow so that Jesus Christ fills your life and your thoughts more and more,
~ Pastor Sean & Tess
PS - Spend some time praying this week for your church; for your local, state, and national leaders; and for God's working in His world. Thank you for your prayers.