The God of Israel said, The rock of Israel spoke to me: He who rules over men must be just, Ruling in the fear of God (2 Samuel 23:3). It is abomination for the kings to commit wickedness, For a throne is established by righteousness (Proverbs 16:12b).
There's a notable trend among the kings of Judah. Some did what was right in the sight of God while others didn't. For instance, Uzziah sought God all the days of Zechariah and prospered (2 Chronicles 26:5b). Also, Amaziah his father served God though not with a perfect heart (2 Chronicles 25:2). On the other hand, Hezekiah wholly followed the Lord but Manasseh his son unlike his father did evil. He indulged and engaged himself in idolatry above all his predecessors (2 Chronicles 33:6). Manasseh worshipped and raised altar for Baal. Amon his son succeeded him; he reigned for only two years and did evil in the sight of God like his father ( 2 Chronicles 33: 22-23). But Josiah was a king with a difference, he turned to God and chose to do what was right in the sight of God even though Amon his father did not (2 Kings 23:24-25). Ahaziah was another evil king that reigned in Judah, he died at the prime of his life (age 40) , and there was none to assume power until Joash became eight years old (2 Kings 11:21). However, Joash was groomed and raised under the tutelage of Jehoida the priest. The efforts of Jehoida the priest yielded a good result because Judah returned back to God (2 Chronicles 23:16-19) and was repaired (2 Chronicles 24:12-14) during his time. Unfortunately, Joash backslidded after the death of Jehoida the priest (2 Chronicles 24: 20-22) and he died a sinner (2 Chronicles 24:23-25). Ahaz also reigned in Judah and led the people into apostasy. Note the consequence of the evil he committed in 2 Chronicles 28:19, " For the LORD brought Judah low because of Ahaz king of Israel, for he had encouraged moral decline in Judah and had been continually unfaithful to the LORD." No wonder the bible says "righteousness exalts a nation but sin is a reproach to any people." It obvious that God judged the evil Kings of Judah so that when God who is righteous in judgment releases His wrath, no one can blame Him (2 Kings 24: 2-4).
There's punishment for sins committed and really we are suffering because of our evils and that of our fathers. The peculiarity of our fathers which God detests necessitate that new breed of people should emerge. Let's consider features that characterize our fathers: Their priests commit lewdness and permit unholy access to God's temple (Hosea 6:9, Isaiah 63: 18-19, Jeremiah 2:8), many are fake prophets (Jeremiah 5: 30-31), defilement in the nation (Haggai 2:12-14), they operate by human precept (Hosea 5:11), seek falsehood and love worthless things (Psalm 4:2, Amos 5:10). Why is God looking for a new breed? Because of indulgences, hatred, war, violence, slavery, injustice, brutality and wickedness in the land (Amos 5:11-13). Worse still, they were involved in ritual killings and sacrificed to idols (Deuteronomy 32:16-18). Innocent people are killed and their bodies lying waste on the ground. There's terrible situation on the earth as evil and iniquity abound everywhere (Isaiah 59:3-8). I feel it's needful to share this true life incident that occurred well over 30 years ago to buttress the characteristics of our fathers. I was a very young girl in a group of other young girls and few elderly ones on a trip as members of girl's guild. As we journeyed, our driver momentarily decelerate the vehicle, and we saw to our amazement a tall, hefty headless man by the road side. Then, the question arose who killed him and cut off his head and why this evil? Later, we talked about other things but I am sure that his relatives, friends, associates, and possibly his parents will never forget they've lost someone. As a small girl, I shivered and trembled at that horrific sight. Unfortunately, evil acts are growing and getting worse by the day as varying degree of atrocities are been perpetrated all over the world.
Yet, God is passionate about raising up a generation (a new breed) of people that truly fear God and who will fulfill his counsel on earth. God is seeking for this caliber of people to emerge as leaders in the secular, political and ministerial circle; people worthy of emulation who will set good standards for others to follow. A new breed that will compel obedience to the commandment of God as Josiah did despite decadence that no one seem to be bothered about. God is truly seeking for those who will be called His own. He longs for a holy breed, people of integrity and power who radiates divine glory. He wants vibrant, loyal, fearless band that will combat the evils of our days, challenge the host of darkness, snatch souls from the pit of hell and prepare the church as spotless bride for our soon coming king. This is God's intent and nothing else. God desires to have people like David (a man after God's heart) who will possess his power and glory (Psalm 63:1-2). David would not be equipped with Saul's amour to fight Goliath because the eternal God was his shield. No wonder Jesus told the Samaritan woman that a time is coming and now is that the true worshippers will worship God in Spirit and truth; then, there will be no more vagueness or hypocrisy (John 4:23-24). Recall that God destroyed the generation that left Egypt because they rebelled against God, they had unholy passion for idolatry due to the influence of the mixed multitude amongst them. And that 's the reason why God instructed Moses to command the new generation raised in the wilderness to fear and serve God and not to behave like their fathers, "That they may set their hope in God, And not forget the works of God. But keep His commandment; And may not be like their fathers, A stubborn and rebellious generation. A generation that did not set his heart aright, And whose spirit was not faithful to God" (Psalm 78:7-8).
A new breed indeed but I'm afraid that there are some of those who constitute this breed that are intoxicated but not with the Spirit of God. In other words, there are those who have affection for Satan than for God and to do evil than to do good. They are fierce, swift, terrible, stiff-necked, disobedient and self-willed even more than their fathers (Jeremiah 7:24). They are unimaginably wicked and their wickedness can be compared to that of Rehoboam and the young men his counsellors (1 Kings 14:9-14). They are deceitful people who set traps and snares, and devise evil schemes (Jeremiah 5: 26, Psalm 83:3, Jeremiah 9:8). Many are involved in dubious practises as they are unbelievably desperate to have it all (money, fame and power) quickly with little or no effort. And like Jacob, so smart and cunny to divert others blessings. Jacob, the supplanter, for so was his name though he ran away, he paid dearly for the double evil he did to his brother Esau (he collected his birthright and took his blessings). It wasn't easy for him with Laban; his wages were changed repeatedly. After he left Laban, he had to pray for God's intervention, he wrestled throughout the night until God showed him mercy and his name was changed. Therefore, the solution is not in scheming and manipulation, but to desire the Lord's mercy as Jacob did. You need to repent and forsake your evil ways; don't indulge in hidden vices and be busy fortifying yourself to do more wickedly believing that all your activities are hidden. Even if no one knows or sees the evil you're doing, God knows and He sees (Proverb 15:3). He that made the eyes will He not see and that's why God spoke through prophet Jeremiah in Jeremiah chapter 32 verse 19, "You are great in counsel and mighty in work, for your eyes are open to all the ways of men, to give everyone according to the fruit of his doings." Can anyone hide himself from God, I will say no! To continue in these atrocities is calling for the wrath and sever judgment of God. God can pardon the evil doer but he must repent and forsake his evil doings.
Besides, there are those among this emerging new breed who always want to forcefully dominate, control, harass, infiltrate, and are desperate to ruthlessly deal with anything or anyone that doesn't conform to their wicked designs. These group of people manipulate and maneuver others through evil powers, they practice high level of sorcery, occultism and witchcraft that seem to surpass that of their fathers. They are like Balaak who hired Balaam to curse the children of Israel (Numbers 26:6) because he would not want them to thrive, he raised several altars to curse and destroy them. However, in Deuteronomy chapter 18 verses 10-11, God strictly commanded the children of Israel, "there shall not be found among you" it was a command not a mere statement. Similarly, in Leviticus 20:16, God reiterated His dislike for idolatry and sorcery. And in Micah 5:9-12 and Zechariah 13:2, God declared complete riddance of evil spirits, sorcery and their strongholds. So, no one should think that he can go scot free who takes delight in manipulating others for their selfish end. Be informed, there is judgment and that's why the scripture says God will not at all acquit the wicked (Nahum 1:3). For it is not possible to belong to God and be loyal to Satan at the same time; you can only serve one master faithfully. So, if I may ask, who makes you God or Satan? Hence, if you are sincerely getting prepared for any secular, ministerial or political leadership role or position, please get prepared correctly.
