What Should Hezekiah Do?

Today’s Reading – 2Kings 17 & 18

In chapter 17 of today’s reading we see the destruction of the northern kingdom of Israel. God had warned them for years that if they would not listen to Him and turn from other gods; and also turn from their wicked ways, that He would judge them. The powerful Assyrian nation came down from Ninevah and took captive all of the people of the northern kingdom and assimilated them into other cities of the Assyrians; and by doing so completely immersed them in the Assyrian culture. It seems that Israel not only got what she deserved; but also received what she wanted. Israel did not want to be a nation of God; they followed the heathen nations; and now they were part of a heathen nation.

In chapter 18, however, we see the same impending doom heading south to the nation of Judah and the city of Jerusalem. At this time Hezekiah is the king. The difference between Judah and Israel is, however, that Judah, under the direction of Hezekiah, is a very godly nation at this time in their history. They are following the Lord, and they are separating themselves completely from the heathen nations around them; and they are trusting in God to deliver them. But here in this chapter they are facing the same threat that Israel faced and were defeated by. Will God deliver them? What will they do? Will God save them if they call upon Him? Tune in tomorrow to chapters 19 & 20 to find out.

I Warned You!

Today’s Passage – 2 Kings 16 – 17 (Second Milers Read – Luke 17 – 18; Psalms 1 – 5; Proverbs 1) "Then the king of Assyria came up throughout all the land, and went up to Samaria, and besieged it three years. In the ninth year of Hoshea the king of Assyria…

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What Happened?

Todays Reading - 1 Kings 10 - 12 How did Israel get from being on top of the world in capter ten to a divided nation in chapter 12? In chapter ten we have Solomon at the very peak of his reign as king of all of Israel. The Bible…

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Phil Erickson

Pastor Phil Erickson has been the pastor of Jersey Shore Baptist Church since January of 2002. Having grown up in Ocean County, Pastor Phil has always had a burden for the south Jersey area. After graduating from Bible College in Longview, Texas, he and his family moved to Galloway Township with the vision of digging in and serving the Lord and the people of Atlantic County. Pastor Phil and Cindy Erickson have been married since 1985. They have four children and ten grandchildren. Their oldest son, Phil Jr. and his wife Katelyn are serving the Lord in Egg Harbor Twp., NJ. Their oldest daughter, Melissa, is married to Wesley Clayton who is in the Air Force and is currently stationed in New Mexico. Samantha, their third child, is married to Justin Mears and they are both serving the Lord at the church in Galloway. Hannah, the youngest, is married to Lucas McCollum, and they are also serving here in Galloway. In preparation for ministry, the Lord led him through a variety of educational experiences that have equipped him to serve the Lord and His people. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Georgian Court University, a Bachelor of Biblical Studies in Pastoral Theology from Texas Independent Baptist Seminary (formerly Texas Baptist College), a Master of Religious Education in Bible from West Coast Baptist College, and a Master of Biblical Studies from The Crown College. More recently, he completed a Graduate Certificate in Biblical Counseling and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Veritas Baptist College. He is thankful for these opportunities to study God’s Word more deeply, and counts it a privilege to use whatever knowledge the Lord has given him for the building up of His church. In addition to pastoring, the Lord has given Phil the wonderful privilege of teaching as an adjunct professor at Vision Baptist College in Berlin, NJ and Veritas Baptist College.

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Gary Geiger says:

May 4, 2010 at 2:52 pm

Just read 17-18 what a great story with many applications to seperated christians. He did what was right in the sight of the Lord. So much truth in this. If I'm reading this right Hezekiah started out doing that which was right in the sight of the Lord just like when we do when we are newly saved. Then there arose another king, the king of Assyria who swayed the people of Hezekiah away from God. The devil is so subtle., just when we think we got this whole christian thing down before we know it we are working more for the other side. Have you comprimised an area of your life that you had right with God when you got saved? I know I have. Read a little bit of 19 and saw that the kingdom was given back to Hezekiah but not without regret. Personally the devil would have me believe that my past regrets, God will not forgive, but Satan is dead wrong!!! I thank God that I serve a king that sees me as perfectly clean dispite my past regrets.