It’s an ad nauseum refrain that is maddening to heaven and earth.

For Israel, the northern portion of the split kingdom of Israel, it reads something like this:

“He did what was evil in the LORD’s sight.  He did not turn away from all the sins Jeroboam son of Nebat had caused Israel to commit” (2 Kings 14:23-24, 15:9; 15:18; 15:24; 15:28)

For king after king for Israel it was the same–committing the sins of Jeroboam.  In chapter 15 alone it happens with 4 kings of Israel.

But for Judah, the southern half of the split kingdom of Israel, it was another sin.  It read like this:

“___________ did what was right in the LORD’s sight just as his father ___________ had done.  Yet the high places were not taken away; the people continued sacrificing and burning incense on the high places” (2 Kings 14:4; 15:4; 15:35; 16:4).

Israel–Committing the same sins of Jeroboam
Judah–Worshiping at the high places.

The sin of Jeroboam was a syncretistic, substitute religion.  It had the look and appeal of worship of Yahweh in Jerusalem, but it was off.  There were priests but they didn’t have to be Levites, there was a city and place for worship but it wasn’t Jerusalem, there were festivals but not unto the Lord, there was worship but to a golden calf.

In today’s world this spirit is still strong.  It is a Romans 1:18-20 scenario where it looks like love, it looks like loyalty and commitment, but is a perversion and a substitute for the real.

Judah on the other hand worshiped the LORD but they also worshiped idols on the side.  They weren’t integrated, but it was a duality of the heart.  ‘I can have God and sin too’ kind of mentality.   As long as the worshiped the LORD they felt like they could also worship other gods as well.

This is similar to what we might see such as a Christian living with their boyfriend or girlfriend.  It’s having both worlds of the Christian life and evil.

Here’s the problem.  Where was the king that did away with the high places?  Where was the king to utterly destroy the substitute worship of Jeroboam?  He hasn’t arrived on scene yet.

For Israel it was too late.  During the penultimate reign of King Pekah Assyria began its deportations of some of the people of Israel.  One more king was to reign, Hoshea, and then all of northern Israel would be captured and deported.  And sadly, their whereabouts from this point on were lost in history.  Even to this day the “lost tribes of Israel” is a common discussion with various indigenous groups claiming that they are the true “lost tribes.”

The kingdom of Judah was given a bit more time.  But not much longer before they too would be captured and deported.  This time it would be to Babylon and the people would be preserved.

Here’s the point.  What we don’t win in righteousness and holiness in one generation becomes the “normal” for the next generation, perpetuating sin for generations.  It’s not a small thing as while God has great patience, at some point if he is good he will bring justice and render judgment.   If we do get victory perhaps the mercy and kindness of God will restore blessing, favor and the hearts of men and women returned back to him.