SERMON NOTES
Israel Was Exiled From Their Own Land
2 Kings 17
Dr. Tony Chute, Lead Pastor
Overview: The slow but steady decline of Israel’s fate as a nation reaches its final days during the reign of Hoshea, the last king of Israel, as the king of Assyria captures Samaria and resettles its inhabitants. The author reports not only the facts of Israel’s demise, but also includes a lengthy indictment of the many sins Israel committed from the time they left Egypt to the installment of Jeroboam as their first king to the end of the northern kingdom altogether. The long list of sins is accompanied by the long-suffering of the Lord, who delivered Israel from Egyptian slavery, gave them commandments to live by, and sent prophets to call them to repentance. The resultant exile of Israel and the resettlement of the land by outsiders combine the themes of judgment and grace, thus providing us with an exhortation to worship the Lord and Him alone.
01. The judgment of God is His righteous response to human sin, consistent with the holiness of God. It is based on the commandments revealed in His Word; is a rejection of God’s goodness in salvation; includes things done in private and public; is delayed due to the warnings of His servants; and results in exclusion from the kingdom forevermore.
02. The grace of God is His merciful response to human need consistent with the love of God. It is available to all who fail to keep His commandments; to those who respond to God’s goodness in salvation; includes forgiveness of things done in private and public; is applied the moment we turn to Him; and includes life in the kingdom forevermore.
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION & DISCOVERY
1. As you read this entire chapter, what are your immediate thoughts regarding God’s patience in light of Israel’s disobedience? How many years have passed from their deliverance from Egypt, to the coronation of Jeroboam, to the end of the northern kingdom? In what ways is God’s patience evident with His people today?
2. How does this chapter help to refute the claim that God “flies off the handle” with judgment in the Old Testament, but is more loving in the New Testament? What specific sins are listed in this chapter? How does the totality of Israel’s sin demonstrate a complete rejection of God’s goodness to them?
3. What role do the prophets play in this chapter? They were certainly seen as nuisances in their time, but were actually God’s means of grace, calling people to turn back to Him. How does the “Parable of the Tenants” in Matthew 21:33-46 illustrate this passage in Jesus’ day?
4. What evidence of God’s grace do you find in this chapter? (Check the second point of application for ideas.) Why isn’t Judah taken captive in verse 19? How does the resettlement of the land by outsiders offer them an opportunity to enter a relationship with the Lord (verses 34-40)?
5. The failure of the new inhabitants to obey the Lord underscores our need for grace. The extension of God’s grace to a wayward people is exemplified in Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem (Matthew 21:1-10). What are you doing to invite people into a relationship with the Lord? Pray for the Lord to give you opportunities to share the gospel with people (like us) who are in need of God’s grace.
For Further Reading: Andreas Köstenberger, Justin Taylor, and Alexander Stewart, The Final Days of Jesus: The Most Important Week of the Most Important Person Who Ever Lived (Crossway, 2026).