Useful Bible Studies > 2 Kings Commentary > chapter 17
The people’s wrong behaviour began with secret desires in their hearts. The true God had given them a good country to live in, and he defended them against their enemies. However, the people could not see God, and so they began to doubt him. Also, his law told them not to follow their own selfish desires, and they disliked that.
Other nations had idols – images of their false gods, which they could see. Often these images were attractive and beautiful. The religions of these false gods encouraged people to follow their selfish desires. These religions offered wealth and power and success to the people who followed them.
That was why God’s people began to desire those religions. Soon, their wrong behaviour was not secret. They started to build public places where they could serve these false gods. They chose the tops of the hills, and the corners of their streets. They put up sacred stones to serve the false god Baal. They put up poles and they planted trees to serve the false female god Asherah. They gave gifts to these gods and they burnt incense (a substance with a sweet smell). Under the trees they joined in wrong sex acts to please these false gods (Isaiah 57:5; compare Numbers 25:1-3). Their religions encouraged them to follow their wrong desires.
It was this wicked behaviour that brought God’s anger against the people in northern and central Israel. This was the reason why God permitted Assyria’s army to punish his people so severely (Ezekiel 23:1-10). They had turned from their trust in him, to trust in false gods and foreign armies.
Next part: How God warns his people (2 Kings 17:12-13)
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