Days 166&167: 2 Kings 16-17, 2 Chronicles 28, Isaiah 13-17

One of the things I've been reminded of as I've read through scripture to this point is that, even though no one really sees it at the time, God is in control of the events of history. The prophets of the OT serve to remind people of that fact...if they choose to listen. These verses from 2 Kings 17 illustrate what I mean:

All this took place because the Israelites had sinned against the LORD their God, who had brought them up out of Egypt from under the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt. They worshiped other gods and followed the practices of the nations the LORD had driven out before them, as well as the practices that the kings of Israel had introduced. The Israelites secretly did things against the LORD their God that were not right. From watchtower to fortified city they built themselves high places in all their towns. They set up sacred stones and Asherah poles on every high hill and under every spreading tree. At every high place they burned incense, as the nations whom the LORD had driven out before them had done. They did wicked things that aroused the LORD’s anger. They worshiped idols, though the LORD had said, “You shall not do this.” The LORD warned Israel and Judah through all his prophets and seers: “Turn from your evil ways. Observe my commands and decrees, in accordance with the entire Law that I commanded your ancestors to obey and that I delivered to you through my servants the prophets.” (2 Kings 17:7-13)

If a person was listening to the prophets of the time he/she would see the events unfolding for the reasons mentioned in this passage. However, my guess is that most people didn't see it that way. I could be wrong but I'm thinking that most people lived through these upheavals and saw only the power of the Assyrians and the failure of their own defenses without much thought to God's role in the matter. I know that's the way it is now. I, myself, sometimes have serious questions about God's activity in world events. I have a hard time believing that He orchestrates the events of history (i.e. outcomes of wars, results of presidential elections, bringing certain regimes to power in third world nations and overthrowing others). I suppose my view has generally been that God pretty much allows these events to play out as they will...and at the end of time He exerts His power and takes over.

This isn't the picture that's painted in the OT. In the OT the events of history are portrayed as being in the hands of God...events occur because He orders them...and He orders them for a reason. Is that still true? Should I look for God's purpose behind each event I read about in the newspapers? Who are today's prophets that point out for us God's plans and purposes?

This is the plan determined for the whole world;
   this is the hand stretched out over all nations.
For the LORD Almighty has purposed, and who can thwart him?
   His hand is stretched out, and who can turn it back? (Isaiah 14:26-27)