And the king of Assyria brought people from Babylon, Cuthah, Avva, Hamath, and Sepharvaim, and placed them in the cities of Samaria instead of the people of Israel. And they took possession of Samaria and lived in its cities. And at the beginning of their dwelling there, they did not fear the LORD. Therefore the LORD sent lions among them, which killed some of them. So the king of Assyria was told, “The nations that you have carried away and placed in the cities of Samaria do not know the law of the god of the land. Therefore he has sent lions among them, and behold, they are killing them, because they do not know the law of the god of the land.” Then the king of Assyria commanded, “Send there one of the priests whom you carried away from there, and let him go and dwell there and teach them the law of the god of the land.” So one of the priests whom they had carried away from Samaria came and lived in Bethel and taught them how they should fear the LORD.But every nation still made gods of its own and put them in the shrines of the high places that the Samaritans had made, every nation in the cities in which they lived.

One of the fascinating points presented in this passage is the determination of the LORD, God the Almighty, to preserve a portion of His creation. He moved the ten tribes from the promised land and brought in a ragtag collection of Gentiles. He caused the king of Assyria to bring in an instructor to lead them into the Fear of the LORD, God, the Almighty. But we read in v. 33 that while they did fear the LORD, it was not wholehearted for they continued to worship others gods.

Isn't this a picture of the Western Church today with a semblance of worship on Sunday morning, often self-centered worship but without a commitment to love the LORD, our God with all our hearts, souls, minds and strength—and our neighbors as ourselves?

Today's readings in the Psalms:

Morning: Psalm 146

Mid-day: 119:105-112

Evening: Psalm 71

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