There is a repeating
pattern in the old testament.
I Corinthians 10:11 Now all these
things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are
written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the
world are come.
Yes:
Romans 15:4 For whatsoever things were
written aforetime were written for our learning, that we
through patience and comfort of the scriptures might
have hope.
The kings of Judah repeatedly had the same
problem, not taking away the high places:
I
Kings 14:22 And Judah did evil in the sight
of the LORD, and they provoked him to jealousy with
their sins which they had committed, above all that
their fathers had done.
23 For they also
built them high places, and images, and groves, on
every high hill, and under every green tree.
I Kings 15:14 But the
high places were not removed: nevertheless Asa’s
heart was perfect with the LORD all his days.
I Kings 22:43 And he walked in all the
ways of Asa his father; he turned not aside from it,
doing that which was right in the eyes
of the LORD: nevertheless the high places
were not taken away; for the
people offered and burnt incense yet in the high places.
II Kings 12:3 But the
high places were not taken away: the people still
sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places.
II Kings 14:4 Howbeit the
high places were not taken away: as yet the people
did sacrifice and burnt incense on the high places.
II Kings 15:4 Save that
the high places were not removed: the people
sacrificed and burnt incense still on the high places.
II Kings 15:35 Howbeit
the high places were not removed: the people
sacrificed and burned incense still in the high places.
He built the higher gate of the house of the LORD.
II Kings 16:4 And he
sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places,
and on the hills, and under every green tree.
II Kings 21:3 For he
built up again the high places which Hezekiah his
father had destroyed; and he reared up altars for Baal,
and made a grove, as did Ahab king of Israel; and
worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them.
Could that not also be a picture for us of a
repeating pattern of sin in our lives?
Hebrews 12:1 Wherefore seeing we
also are compassed about with so great a cloud of
witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset
us, and let us run with patience the race
that is set before us,
Do we, like the kings of Judah, keep going back
to the same sin?