Nevertheless.....

Nevertheless.....

II Kings 23:24-27 NKJV

[24] Moreover Josiah put away those who consulted mediums and spiritists, the household gods and idols, all the abominations that were seen in the land of Judah and in Jerusalem, that he might perform the words of the law which were written in the book that Hilkiah the priest found in the house of the Lord. [25] Now before him there was no king like him, who turned to the Lord with all his heart, with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the Law of Moses; nor after him did any arise like him.  [26] Nevertheless the Lord did not turn from the fierceness of His great wrath, with which His anger was aroused against Judah, because of all the provocations with which Manasseh had provoked Him. [27] And the Lord said, “I will also remove Judah from My sight, as I have removed Israel, and will cast off this city Jerusalem which I have chosen, and the house of which I said, ‘My name shall be there.’ ” 

The word ' nevertheless ' is an adverb which describes a different attitude which should have followed all the good things and reforms spoken. It is similar in meaning to ' but '. V.26 was the most difficult verse Ive read so far. Didnt God say if we repent....you know what Im about to say. It was not until I read this submission on jamesjackson blog that I had some peace. " We might think it is unfair that God would still punish Judah even after Josiah’s reforms, but the fact is, it was God’s mercy that preserved the kingdom for five more generations after Manasseh. God stayed His hand long enough for Manasseh to repent. He was followed by Amon, who was just as wicked as his father, but unlike Manasseh did not repent. Then came Josiah, the last good king of Judah. Through Josiah, God allowed one more generation to seek the Lord, to find the Book of the Law, and to reinstate the Passover. After Josiah came three evil kings in a row, and then the end.". God knows the end from the beginning.

    Judah and Jerusalem were destroyed twenty two years after Josiah. When you look at it from Ahaz, the most wicked King in Judah, youll see that God gave them over a hundred and thirty years to repent. That's not one hundred and thirty days.  James Jackson submits, " Grace and mercy are never about what’s fair. Mercy is not getting the punishment our sins deserve. Grace is getting all the riches in glory we don’t deserve. What’s fair about that?

    "The Glory of Israel will not lie or change his mind; for he is not a human being, that he should change his mind” (1 Sam. 15:29; cf. Num. 23:19). These words of the prophet Samuel provide a straightforward reply to the question “Does God change His mind?” You may win the argument with your references, remember that it is right to live right with God. Good morning.