The story is told of a thrifty man who one day decided to save money on donkey feed. Every day, he would add increasing amounts of sawdust into the donkey’s feed. Because the process was gradual, the donkey did not notice any difference as he cleaned up his manger. The man’s plan was working well, until the donkey suddenly died because of living on 100% sawdust. Similarly, spiritual food that contains the pure Word of God, once mixed with worldly sawdust [watered-down or social gospel], will eventually lead to spiritual death (2 Peter 2). Indeed, it is sad to see some members of the church act as though they cannot understand why so many spiritually malnourished Christian’s die [abandon the Lord’s’ church] even after being members of the church for many years. The psalmist recorded for us that God’s Word is a “lamp” to the feet and a “light” to one’s pathway (Psalm 119:105; cf., Proverbs 6:23). However, how can members of the Lord’s body make application of that “light” in their everyday living if they remain ignorant of that light (Hebrews 5:12-14)? What is the use of chiding weak Christians about their little faith if spiritually strong Christians do not teach them enough of the pure Word for them to be able to develop strong faith (Psalm 51:12-13; Romans 10:17; 2 Timothy 2:1-2)? All of the church pep rallies, sermons and lectures about Christian duty won’t do much good for weak-in-the-faith Christians, until they are taught the pure Word

The appeal in 1st and 2nd Kings is for faithful obedience to God (1 Kings 2:4; 8:25, 57-58; 9:1-5; 15:1-5; 2 Kings 18:1-6; 22:1-2; 20:3). The chief aim of both books is to teach great moral lessons exemplified by events in the history of the Jewish nation and in the lives of its leaders and people. In studying these two Old Testament books, we see that every king was judged by his obedience or disobedience to God’s law. His success was measured by his adherence to the law, and by his God-honoring testimony before the heathen (cf. Deuteronomy 17:14-20). The good of the nation depended upon its faithfulness to God (our nation needs to give strict adherence to this fact as well). Idolatry and compromise caused the decline and eventual fall of both Israel and Judah (cf. Hosea 1-13; Jeremiah 1-52). Idolatry and all sin inevitably bring defeat and punishment (Psalm 106:34-38; cf. Jeremiah 19:3-11) while faith and righteousness bring victory and joy (Psalm 33:12; Proverbs 14:34). Events in Jewish history are lessons in the righteousness, justice, loving-kindness, mercy and faithfulness of God (Hosea 2:18-20). They also serve as a constant warning and example of the consequences of disobedience (1 Corinthians 10:1-12; cf. Romans 15:4).