2 Kings 13:1-25


The patience and mercy of the Lord is amazing to observe through the lives of the kings of Israel.  Time after time these kings are disobedient and worship idols but God does not destroy them and even blesses them when they show even the slightest signs of repentance.  It is easy for us to be critical of these kings as we see them walk in sin, but we often are tolerant of sin in our own lives and practice a half-hearted obedience.  God continues to be gracious to us and forgives us when we repent and patiently restores us to fellowship time and time again.      

GOD GRANTED FAVOR TO JEHOAHAZ: Even though for the most part Jehoahaz was an evil king who did not turn from the idolatry and the sinfulness of Jeroboam in Israel; God was patient with him.  The disobedience caused him to be constantly under attack from the Syrians and the people were oppressed by their enemies.  However, when Jehoahaz humbled himself and sought the Lord’s favor God was gracious to him and restored the people to their homes and gave them relieve from the oppression they were experiencing.  Even still the people did not turn from idolatry.  God desires to bless His children and responds to us whenever we humble ourselves, repent and seek Him.  We must not harden ourselves before the Lord.

GOD GRANTED VICTORY TO JOHOASH: Jehoash is the next king in Israel and his reign coincides with Joash king of Judah.  The Bible uses both spelling for both kings so it is easy to confuse the two.  However similar their names were, their behavior was far different from one another.  This king of Israel followed the idolatry of his forefathers while the Joash who reigned in Judah was destroying it.  Israel remained under constant attack and oppression while he was king, but when he went a sought Elisha to inquire of the Lord; God granted him victory of his enemies.  Once again we see God responding to the slightest indication of repentance and humility.  Elisha told him to strike the ground with arrows and he only did so three times so his victory was limited to three battles.  God is looking for followers that will be passionate about their service and holy in their walk before Him.

GOD GRANTED LIFE THROUGH ELISHA: Elisha was sick, but God still used him to grant a reprieve to Jehoash when he came to seek him and express his concern for the prophet’s illness.  Elisha’s prophecy came true; but he died and was buried in Israel.  Amazingly, when the body of another person was carelessly placed in Elisha’s grave; the dead person was raised from the Dead.  The power of God is amazing and He is clearly able to use men in marvelous ways when they will live in obedience and dedication to Him.  Elisha was a constant source of life and truth during his life and even in his death God used him in amazing ways.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Isaiah 54:1-17

Hope is a wonderful blessing from God, without which we would be vulnerable to all kinds of destructive tendencies in our lives.  Today’s society is marked by depression, anger, fear, anxiety and self-righteousness, in large part, because of the sense of hopelessness that prevails in our culture.  Isaiah writes to a people who are about to be taken into captivity because of their sin.  God knows that they will feel rejected, threatened and hopeless so He reveals His future plans for the nation in order to give them hope in the midst of the coming trial.  Hope is the expectation of good based upon the promises of God.  Many times when our lives are marked by the sins mentioned above it is because we have forgotten or failed to focus upon the promises of God’s Word. THE PROMISE OF GOD: From the very first day that God revealed His plan for the nation of Israel, He promised numerous descendants.  God chose Abraham, not because he was more righteous than a...
Read more

2 Timothy 1:3-7

I thank God   whom I serve, as did my ancestors,   with a clear conscience, as I remember you   constantly in my prayers night and day.    As I remember your tears,   I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy.    I am reminded of   your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and   your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.    For this reason I remind you   to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us   a spirit not of fear but   of power and love and self-control. It is easy for us to forget many important things especially in the face of difficulty or danger.  Paul is in prison and Timothy is facing difficult times in ministry so there are important reminders that Paul wants to make sure that Timothy understands.  God has given us everything we need to face the difficulties He allows i...
Read more

2 Timothy 1:8-14

Therefore   do not be ashamed of   the testimony about our Lord, nor of   me his prisoner, but   share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God,   who saved us and   called us to a holy calling,   not because of our works but because of   his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus   before the ages began, and which now has   been manifested through   the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus,   who abolished death and   brought life and   immortality to light through the gospel, for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, which is why I suffer as I do. But   I am not ashamed, for   I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until   that day   what has been entrusted to me.  Follow   the pattern of   the sound words   that you have heard from me, in   the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. ...
Read more