2 Kings 13:23

Was gracious. God keeps an accurate account with all nations, to see whether they will fulfill the divine destiny marked out for them. They are granted a period of probation at the end of which, if they have failed to measure up to the privileges granted them, they are removed. Israel had not yet come to the end of her probation. It was not yet too late to make amends for the failures of the past and to fulfill the original purposes God had in mind when He called Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Individuals, too, are tried to see whether they will fulfill the divine purpose in their creation. To every man God has assigned a specific place in His plan. Man is truly successful only as he faithfully fulfills this Heaven-appointed purpose. Many have departed far from the original pattern, and, like Israel of old, are headed for disaster. God’s mercy is still extended, but the days are crucial. One day, and soon, the fire will try every man’s work, to see of what sort it is (1 Corinthians 3:13). Then every man will be rewarded according to his work (2 Corinthians 5:10; Revelation 22:12).

As yet. Israel, thus far, had resisted every effort of the Lord to bring them to repentance. But God continued to be merciful, and gave them every opportunity to turn from their iniquity in order that the nation might not perish.