Shelly Nyo

I’ve been following a Bible reading app, and for the past couple of weeks, we have been reading 1 and 2 Kings. Throughout these books, the disobedience of the Kings placed over Israel and Judea is on full display. In fact, for many of these kings, the phrase is used, “He did evil in the eyes of the LORD (example 2 Kings 24:9).” It is such a common phrase in 1 and 2 Kings. In years past when I have read these passages, I’ve always assumed that these kings were lethal, murderous, conniving, and completely off the charts in terms of both Godly and human morality. In many cases, they were (an example is Jehoram King of Judah in 2 Kings 8:17-18; you can also read about Ahab in 1 Kings 21-22). However, occasionally, at the end of some of these kings’ reigns, the description given says something that has begun to stand out to me whenever I read about one of the kings’ reigns. There are the words (in this case showcasing Jeroboam), “As for the other events of Jeroboam’s reign, all he did, and his military achievements, including how he recovered for Israel both Damascus and Hamath, which had belonged to Judah, are they not written in the book of the annals of the kings of Israel (2 Kings 14:28).” The word “achievements” shows up. In reading that these kings did evil in the eyes of the Lord, I automatically thought that they were ineffective leaders as well – did not follow through on commitments, poor planners, did not cause their nations to prosper, selfish, so on and so forth. However, the presence of achievements and accomplishments indicates that these leaders were very competent, and many were probably very talented. Yet, for many, the summarizing statement is “they did evil in the eyes of the Lord.” If they did not lead their nations into monetary “bankruptcy,” so to speak, what was spiritually bankrupt about their leadership?

These leaders were bankrupt with regard to the faith, not because they neglected their people, or failed to provide food, or safety, but because they led the people’s hearts away from the Lord, and in many cases, into idolatry. An idol is anything that takes the place of God in our lives, and whose edicts we obey over His, because we are slaves to that which we obey (Romans 6:15-17). This could be physical things – money, cars, clothes, etc., but it could also be less material – people’s opinions of us, or our desire to be “normal.” These types of things can distract us from God, and cause us to pursue them at any cost – even our commitment to the Lord.

We are all leaders in many ways, and as we find ourselves in leadership positions, how can we use our platforms to glorify God and to point people’s minds and hearts back to Him? It is not always popular to live a life devoted to God, but it is necessary – we must live a life that leads people closer to a God who sent His Son Jesus to pay the price for each and every person’s sin on the cross. After all, at the end of my life, I do not want to have a list of accomplishments, yet the defining statement be – “she did evil in the eyes of the Lord.” Instead, I aim to hear, “Well done good and faithful servant (Matthew 25:22-24).”

What these passages in 1 and 2 Kings have shown me is that it doesn’t matter how well accomplished, well-liked, or influential I am — only one thing matters to God. Did my heart stay devoted to Him? Was He always my first love? Every day I strive to say “yes” and “yes” to both questions.