2 Kings 4:8-37 (8-17)

 

This morning we get back to our study of the Kings.

You may also remember that we are in a

Very interesting section of Scripture.

 

IT IS NOT A STUDY OF ANY OF THE CURRENT KINGS.

It is a section that covers the ministry of Elisha.

 

But it is also a very pointed section.

 

The purpose of this section

Is to reveal that God is indeed working in Israel.

 

He is blessing those who seek Him,

And He is revealing Himself to those who do not know Him.

 

It is part of that revival that God promised to Elijah.

 

Earlier in our study of Kings we studied a king named Asa,

And as we studied him, we came across a very interesting statement.

 

After Asa had failed to trust God in a battle he was fighting, God had this to say:

2 Chronicles 16:9 “For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His. You have acted foolishly in this. Indeed, from now on you will surely have wars.”

 

God revealed a very interesting concept to Asa,

And it is that God is actively and continually looking

For those who support Him, that He may in turn support them.

 

THIS IDEA OF GOD WATCHING IS NOT A NEW CONCEPT.

 

David revealed in the 139th Psalm

Psalms 139:7-12 “Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend to heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the dawn, If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea, Even there Your hand will lead me, And Your right hand will lay hold of me. If I say, “Surely the darkness will overwhelm me, And the light around me will be night,” Even the darkness is not dark to You, And the night is as bright as the day. Darkness and light are alike to You.”

 

David spoke in great detail about the omnipresence of God.

He knew that there was no way to escape from God’s sight.

 

In short, He sees all that I do.

He sees all that I think.

He knows everything about me.

 

Proverbs 15:3 “The eyes of the LORD are in every place, Watching the evil and the good.”

 

In regard to the wicked, Jeremiah said:

Jeremiah 16:16-18 “Behold, I am going to send for many fishermen,” declares the LORD, “and they will fish for them; and afterwards I will send for many hunters, and they will hunt them from every mountain and every hill and from the clefts of the rocks. “For My eyes are on all their ways; they are not hidden from My face, nor is their iniquity concealed from My eyes. “I will first doubly repay their iniquity and their sin, because they have polluted My land; they have filled My inheritance with the carcasses of their detestable idols and with their abominations.”

 

Now, what Jeremiah revealed, we are all pretty accustomed to.

There is a continual view in the church that if you do wicked things,

Then God is going to see it.

 

If you go into your bedroom, get on the internet, and look at pornography,

Then God will see it and judge you.

 

And if you don’t realize that, then you should. God is watching.

 

But God is not like a highway patrolman,

Sitting up there with His omniscient radar gun,

Just looking for people to punish.

 

God is also doing what He told Asa:

“For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His.”

 

God is not just looking for the wicked to judge

He is also desperately looking for someone on His side,

That is walking in obedience, in order that He can bless them.

 

Consider what Ezekiel said:

After revealing that Israel’s prophets, priests, princes and people were all corrupt and wicked.

 

Ezekiel 22:30 “I searched for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand in the gap before Me for the land, so that I would not destroy it; but I found no one.”

 

Yes God saw the wicked, and intends to punish,

But He is also looking for the righteous

That He may support them and bless them.

 

He is not just some means spirited deity bent on flexing His muscle,

He is a loving and holy God

That seeks to reward those who walk in obedience.

 

That means that God is watching and God is seeking to reward.

 

Jesus promised that even secret obedience gets rewarded:

Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18 “Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven. “So when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. “But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. “When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. “But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you… “Whenever you fast, do not put on a gloomy face as the hypocrites do, for they neglect their appearance so that they will be noticed by men when they are fasting. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. “But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face so that your fasting will not be noticed by men, but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.”

 

Later, referring to the difficulty we would face in this world, Jesus said:

Matthew 10:26 “Therefore do not fear them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known.”

 

At the end of the chapter He said:

Matthew 10:41-42 “He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward; and he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward. “And whoever in the name of a disciple gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water to drink, truly I say to you, he shall not lose his reward.”

 

The point is that all Christian obedience brings with it

Support, blessing, and ultimately a reward.

 

In fact, this all finds it’s culmination in the final day.

Revelation 22:12 “Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done.”

 

That means that our lives

Are not just about avoiding the judgment of God,

But also seeking out the reward or blessing of God.

 

If you need an illustration of that, I take you to our text this morning.

It is about a woman who is unnamed in Scripture.

She is simple known as “The Shunammite”.

 

Yet you will see that God found her in the midst of a carnal society

And supported her and blessed her.

 

She provides us with a good example

Of a life that sought a blessing from God.

 

There are 5 things I want you to see about this woman.

#1 SHE WAS GENEROUS

2 Kings 4:8

 

Last time we studied in the Kings we saw God providing for a widow.

• A widow so poor that she was about to have to sell her two sons in order to pay her debts.

• A widow so poor that all she owned was some oil and the jar it was in.

 

Yet God spotted this widow as a faithful woman

And He provided for her needs and then some.

 

In many ways this Shunammite woman is the exact opposite of her.

She is not a widow, and she is not poor.

 

In fact Scripture says, “there was a prominent woman”

 

This was a high society woman, and one of potentially great means.

 

And you need to understand that for a couple of reasons.

1) People of all positions have needs which only God can meet.

2) God is not just looking for the poor, God is looking for those who love Him.

 

That is what these two women have in common.

One was rich, one was poor, but both had a heart for God.

 

But what I want you to see first off about this woman is a very important characteristic, and that is that she was HOSPITABLE.

 

As Elisha walked by, “she persuaded him to eat food. And so it was, as often as he passed by, he turned in there to eat food.”

 

I had a great-grandmother just like her.

 

They make you feel plum guilty if you don’t eat their food.

You probably know some women like that.

 

But then again, who wouldn’t be hospitable to Elisha?

 

I mean if Billy Graham came to preach at this church,

Any number of the women in here would volunteer to feed him lunch,

Because it is Billy Graham.

 

But just as a sneak peek, look at verse 9

“She said to her husband, “Behold now, I perceive that this is a holy man of God passing by us continually.”

 

What that means is that this woman had absolutely no idea

Who he was or what he was when she first persuaded him to eat.

 

For all she knew he was just a wandering stranger,

And yet she still “persuaded him to eat food.”

 

We call that a spirit of hospitality, and it is a spirit

That God is eagerly looking for in those He seeks to support.

 

Romans 12:10-13 “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.”

 

Hebrews 13:2 “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.”

 

According to that verse, God even sends angels out disguised as strangers

Just to test your spirit of hospitality.

 

GOD IS LOOKING FOR HOSPITABLE PEOPLE.

 

Perhaps you remember a few weeks back on Sunday night

As we talked about the ministry to widows and the ministry of widows.

 

God has a unique plan by which the church ministers to widows

And a unique plan by which the widows are to minister to the church.

 

And according to God not just any widow

Is allowed to represent the church as a special servant.

 

There were qualifications before a widow could serve the church.

1 Timothy 5:9-10 “A widow is to be put on the list only if she is not less than sixty years old, having been the wife of one man, having a reputation for good works; and if she has brought up children, if she has shown hospitality to strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has assisted those in distress, and if she has devoted herself to every good work.”

 

One could almost argue that you could summarize all those commands

Into these. – Not an adulteress, and a hospitable woman.

 

Hospitality matters to God.

 

Of course it is not just the role of the women.

 

The often disregarded book of 3 John deals directly with this issue.

 

3 John 1-8 “The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth. Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers. For I was very glad when brethren came and testified to your truth, that is, how you are walking in truth. I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth. Beloved, you are acting faithfully in whatever you accomplish for the brethren, and especially when they are strangers; and they have testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God. For they went out for the sake of the Name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. Therefore we ought to support such men, so that we may be fellow workers with the truth.”

 

John wrote to Gaius to commend his church for their hospitality

“Beloved, you are acting faithfully in whatever you accomplish for the brethren, and especially when they are strangers”

 

That church was commended for their hospitality,

Furthermore John says it is fitting for all of us to do so.

 

THE POINT IS HOSPITALITY AND GENEROSITY MATTER TO GOD.

He is looking for those who have such desires

So that He may support them.

 

This woman was generous

#2 SHE WAS GOD-FEARING

2 Kings 4:9-10

 

As we read earlier, it didn’t take long before this woman

Realized something about her new guest.

 

There was something different about him,

• He had a personal holiness

• He had a focus on spiritual things

• He spoke with an authority about him.

 

“Behold, now I perceive that this is a holy man of God passing by us continually. Please, let us make a little walled upper chamber and let us set a bed for him there, and a table and a chair and a lampstand; and it shall be, when he comes to us, that he can turn in there.”

 

This woman started out with simple hospitality,

But soon she realized there was more on her hands.

 

This was a man of God.

She wanted his presence…

She wanted his influence…

 

BUT MOSTLY SHE WANTED TO BE A SERVANT TO GOD

BY CARING FOR GOD’S SERVANT.

 

She had a fear of the Lord that sought to serve Him.

Proverbs 31:30 “Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.”

 

She wants to help the work of God

By taking care of all that she can to help His messenger.

You instantly get a picture of her heart.

 

Generous, God-Fearing

#3 SHE WAS GENUINE

2 Kings 4:11-17

 

You have to love this part of the story.

Certainly the miracle gives you a warm feeling,

But look even before the miracle.

 

Elisha recognized her hospitality and goodness to him,

And he sought to repay her.

 

And notice what he said:

(13) “Behold, you have been careful for us with all this care;”

 

This woman did far more than the bare minimum.

She was thorough.

This was a role she absolutely cherished.

 

It was a ministry that was close to her heart.

 

And because of her great care, Elisha has a question.

(13) “what can I do for you? Would you be spoken for to the king or to the captain of the army?’”

 

If she was into immediate and temporal reward, this was her chance.

Elisha is offering up to her a credit card of favor.

She has done much, and he seeks to repay.

 

But look at her answer,

(13) “I live among my own people.”

 

What she is saying is that she is content where she is.

She is fine in life, she doesn’t desire anything.

She is filled with contentment.

 

And contentment in itself is a wonderful thing.

1 Timothy 6:6-8 “But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment. For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either. If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content.”

 

Furthermore contentment is a hard thing to master.

 

Listen to this verse from Paul.

Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”

 

We frequently hear it from \ athletes or from those in the midst of trials,

Boasting of all they can do all through God’s power.

 

BUT, HAVE YOU EVER READ THE CONTEXT IN WHICH PAUL MADE THIS GREAT STATEMENT OF CONFIDENCE?

Philippians 4:12-13 “I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”

Paul said he has learned to be content,

And he did it because of God’s power in his life.

 

The point is that contentment is a hard trait to master.

We live in an advertising world, and worldliness comes easy to us.

 

To master contentment is tough.

But that is precisely what this woman has.

She is not seeking to get ahead.

 

This also reveals that her hospitality was done out of pure motives.

• She didn’t do it for temporal reward.

• She did it because in her heart she desired to be generous.

 

That is a hallmark of godliness!

Luke 6:32-36 “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. “If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. “If you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners in order to receive back the same amount. “But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men. “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”

 

Sons of the Most High are hospitable and merciful

With no thought of anything in return.

 

So thus far we have seen that this woman was:

Generous, God-Fearing, and Genuine.

 

Remember how we started this sermon?

2 Chronicles 16:9a “For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His.”

 

It is apparent that this woman’s heart is completely His.

SO WHAT DOES GOD DO?

VERSES 14-17

 

God blesses her with a child.

He gave her what she did not ask for.

 

This again is God’s grace doing more than we ask or think,

Just as He did with the widow.

 

Even more it is God seeking out and blessing those who love Him.

 

NOW WE COULD STOP RIGHT THERE,

And talk about how we should all live a life that God desires to bless.

 

But the story doesn’t stop there.

#4 SHE WAS GRIEVING

2 Kings 4:18-30

 

My bible says, “when the child was grown”,

Most likely it means weaned, for later he will sit in her lap.

 

He went out to his father and complained about his head.

(Heat stroke)

 

But whatever the sickness, he went in to his mother and died in her arms.

 

YOU ASK, WHY WOULD GOD GIVE THE CHILD AND THEN TAKE HIM AWAY?

 

2 Chronicles 16:9 “For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His.”

 

It is not that God tests every person in such an extreme way.

However, the writer chose this story to prove to you

That this woman was not a fair-weather follower.

 

• She was devoted while childless…

• She was devoted with child…

• And now, she will be devoted during tragedy…

 

This child dies to show you and I that this woman is wholly devoted.

Even in her grief, she seeks out God.

 

She lays the child on Elisha’s bed and seeks him out.

 

And this she does even in the midst of ridicule.

 

Notice what her husband says when she reveals her plans.

(23) “Why will you go to him today? It is neither new moon nor Sabbath.”

 

You see a man who didn’t understand

Why anyone would go to church unless they had to.

 

But those who are devoted to God know Sunday

Is not the only day that belongs to the Lord,

Nor is it the only day we seek Him or listen to Him.

 

This woman is going to God through God’s messenger.

And nothing will deter her.

(Even Gehazi can’t detain her)

 

She comes and clings to Elisha’s feet and says:

(28) “Did I ask for a son from my lord? Did I not say, ‘Do not deceive me’?”

Even in her grief, she recognizes the authority of Elisha

And submits to him, calling him “lord”.

 

She is grieving, it is hard, but you cannot question her heart.

 

AT THIS POINT, IN ORDER TO SAVE TIME,

Elisha sends Gehazi ahead in order to lay his staff on the lads face.

 

And you would think that with that

The mother would go with Gehazi, but look:

(30) “As the LORD lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.”

 

This woman is clinging to the Lord.

 

She is not following some mystical demonstration

(and God won’t work that way), she is clinging to God.

 

She was grieving, but notice her commitment.

There is no doubt in our minds that this woman’s heart is fully God’s.

 

But there is more:

#5 SHE IS GRATEFUL

2 Kings 4:31-37

 

Now, there it is again, God does the miraculous,

And restores the child to life.

 

Now, in fairness to those who have lost children, this is not saying that if God did not raise your child that you weren’t devoted.

This story is included as an illustration, not a normal practice.

 

But in this woman’s case, the child is restored to evidence the point

That God is supporting this wonderful woman.

 

But then, look at what she does.

 

Ordinarily, if your child was raised from the dead,

Most mothers would out run Car Lewis to the child to take him up.

 

But notice this woman:

(37) “Then she went in and fell at his feet and bowed herself to the ground, and she took up her son and went out.”

 

Did you notice what she did first?

She worshiped.

 

This is yet another indicator of this woman’s extreme devotion

To God and even to His glory.

 

God is seeking out those whose heart is completely His,

That He may support them.

 

This woman gives a good picture of what that heart looks like.

• She is Generous

• She is God-Fearing

• She is Genuine

• She was committed during Grief

• She was Grateful

 

God is pleased with such people and seeks to support them.

 

It was a major lesson to Israel, and it is to us as well.

 

This morning I would simply ask you:

 

DO YOU DESIRE TO BE THE TYPE OF PERSON THAT GOD CAN SUPPORT, AND DESIRES TO SUPPORT?

 

If so, then order your life aright,

To be someone that God desires to support.

 

SO FAR:

God supported a widow with great faith and perseverance…

God supported a woman with generosity and a genuine heart…

 

Follow their example, and be the type of person God seeks to bless.

 

2 Chronicles 16:9 “For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His.”

 

2 Kings 4:1-7

 

We are entering a unique section in the book of 2 Kings,

Unlike any we have studied in the book thus far.

 

It is a section that focuses primarily on the ministry of Elisha.

 

Chapters 4:1 – 6:7 deals primarily with the miracles he worked.

Chapters 6:8 – 8:15 deals primarily with his fulfilled prophesy.

 

One of the things that is interesting about this section is that

All of the miracles occur for those who are seeking the Lord.

 

All of the fulfilled prophecies are for those who are not.

 

That in itself gives us tremendous insight about

The way in which God used miracles in the Old Testament.

 

The miraculous power of God was manifested to those who trusted Him.

As for those who did not, God gave the demonstration of His fulfilled word.

 

But none the less we see this interesting segment of Scripture.

 

The real question for me has been,

WHAT IS GOD TRYING TO SHOW US THROUGH THIS SECTION?

(In fact, I have been racking my brain with that question for several months)

 

• One could see it merely as a validation of Elisha’s ministry (and it is)

• One could see it as a demonstration of the depravity in Israel (and it is)

• One could see it as individual examples of faith (and it is)

• One could see it as various testimonials to God’s power (and it is)

• One could even see it as prophetic of Jesus’ ministry (and it is)

 

But to simply stop at any of those

And call it the main reason God included this section in His word

Is to miss the primary reason for why we have it here before us.

 

It seems to me that it is best to see this section

As a fulfillment of God’s promise to move and work in Israel.

 

Once again I remind you of the promise that God made to Elijah

After his wilderness Experience.

 

1 Kings 19:15-18 “The LORD said to him, “Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus, and when you have arrived, you shall anoint Hazael king over Aram; and Jehu the son of Nimshi you shall anoint king over Israel; and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah you shall anoint as prophet in your place. “It shall come about, the one who escapes from the sword of Hazael, Jehu shall put to death, and the one who escapes from the sword of Jehu, Elisha shall put to death. “Yet I will leave 7,000 in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal and every mouth that has not kissed him.”

God promised Elijah that He was going to reclaim His supremacy

As the only God of Israel.

 

Israel had fallen into Baal worship,

And God promised Elijah that Baal would come to an end.

 

Certainly there are many factors involved in how God would do that,

Most of which we have still yet to see occur in the book.

 

But aside from actually killing off Baal (which God will do)

God is also at work to strengthen the hearts of those who are His,

And to reveal Himself to those who are not.

 

That is the purpose for this section.

It reveals part of the fulfillment of God’s promise of revival

Which He made to Elijah.

 

God is here working in Israel to strengthen the righteous

And to call the wicked.

 

To the faithful, we see demonstrations of power.

To the wicked, we see fulfilled prophesy.

 

And this morning we start with a miracle for a widow.

 

Allow me to just bring three things to light this morning.

#1 THE WIDOW’S CIRCUMSTANCES

2 Kings 4:1-2

 

There are actually a couple of things I think we need to see about this widow this morning, and the first has to do with her faithfulness.

 

You will notice the she is “of the wives of the sons of the prophets”

 

In modern terms we would call her a preacher’s wife.

 

But just to make sure we don’t overlook the implications,

You must remember that prophets are not all that popular in Israel.

 

• Elijah was certainly a hunted man.

• Beyond that we remember that Jezebel ordered all of them to be killed.

 

Remember Obadiah’s ministry?

1 Kings 18:13 “Has it not been told to my master what I did when Jezebel killed the prophets of the LORD, that I hid a hundred prophets of the LORD by fifties in a cave, and provided them with bread and water?”

 

In fact the total number of faithful in Israel was only 7,000

 

1 Kings 19:18 “Yet I will leave 7,000 in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal and every mouth that has not kissed him.”

 

This was not a day in which the prophets were treated with respect.

They were not routinely invited over for Sunday dinner.

In fact, we will soon see that many of the prophets were starving.

 

NOW IF YOU COMPROMISED, YOU COULD BE COMFORTABLE

Remember the old lying prophet in Bethel?

 

But such wasn’t the case for this woman’s husband.

This man had been faithful.

 

“you know that your servant feared the LORD”

 

Scripture also indicates that he was FAITHFULLY BOLD prophet,

For his ministry was apparently well known.

 

“YOU KNOW that your servant feared the LORD”

 

It is obvious that this woman was married to a godly man,

And also obvious that they had been rejected by the world.

 

 

BEYOND THAT, WE SEE HER FINANCIAL STATE:

 

“the creditor has come to take my two children to be his slaves.”

 

If the only thing you have left to sell are your kids, then you are poor.

 

Remember the man Jesus spoke of?

Matthew 18:23-25 “For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. “When he had begun to settle them, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. “But since he did not have the means to repay, his lord commanded him to be sold, along with his wife and children and all that he had, and repayment to be made.”

 

And verse 2 verifies that fact.

“Your maidservant has noting in the house except a jar of oil.”

• She had no furniture…

• She had no garments…

• She had no food…

 

Even the widow Elijah ministered to had meal to go with her oil.

This woman did not.

 

She only had two possessions.

1 was oil, the other was the jar that contained it.

 

The point being that this woman was poor,

Her poverty was due to the faithfulness of her and her husband.

 

That then sheds much light on the depravity of Israel as well.

 

You should know first of all that selling your children into slavery

Was indeed a common practice, and one not forbidden by Mosaic Law.

 

The Law indicated that you could indeed purchase your Hebrew brother as a slave to settle debts, but that at the end of 6 years he was to go free.

 

Exodus 21:2 “If you buy a Hebrew slave, he shall serve for six years; but on the seventh he shall go out as a free man without payment.”

 

And so, it is not a shocking thing

That this woman’s children are about to be sold.

 

The reason we are able to see depravity here

Is because of the extreme lack of compassion for this widow.

 

SCRIPTURE CONTINUALLY SPEAKS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF COMPASSION

 

In fact to be faithful to the legalities of the Law,

But to miss compassion

Renders you the most obvious of hypocrites.

 

Remember what Jesus said to the Pharisees?

Matthew 23:23-24 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier provisions of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others. “You blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel!”

 

When the Pharisees chastised Jesus for eating with sinners

He responded by saying:

Matthew 9:12-13 “But when Jesus heard this, He said, “It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick. “But go and learn what this means: ‘I DESIRE COMPASSION, AND NOT SACRIFICE,’ for I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

The Pharisees claimed to love the Law,

But their lack of compassion revealed a bad heart.

 

So it is in Elisha’s day.

The creditors had every legal right to take this woman’s children,

But their lack of compassion revealed the depravity.

 

They had failed to grasp God’s commands in regard to the helpless

(and that is who the widows were in Bible times)

 

God had much to say in regard to those who were helpless.

God cared for widows.

Deuteronomy 10:17-18 “For the LORD your God is the God of gods and the Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God who does not show partiality nor take a bribe. “He executes justice for the orphan and the widow, and shows His love for the alien by giving him food and clothing.”

 

Psalms 68:5 “A father of the fatherless and a judge for the widows, Is God in His holy habitation.”

 

Psalms 82:3-4 “Vindicate the weak and fatherless; Do justice to the afflicted and destitute. Rescue the weak and needy; Deliver them out of the hand of the wicked.”

 

It is obvious that God cared about the plight of the helpless

And had even commanded for others to rescue them from their hardship.

 

The point was that if the helpless were in need,

You shouldn’t be taking their children,

You ought to be meeting their need.

 

This is what the Law commanded.

Exodus 22:22-24 “You shall not afflict any widow or orphan. “If you afflict him at all, and if he does cry out to Me, I will surely hear his cry; and My anger will be kindled, and I will kill you with the sword, and your wives shall become widows and your children fatherless.”

 

This is what the prophets commanded.

Isaiah 1:17 “Learn to do good; Seek justice, Reprove the ruthless, Defend the orphan, Plead for the widow.”

 

If they are in need, then help them out.

 

Israel revealed their depravity through their lack of compassion.

Here was a widow in need, a faithful widow at that,

And no one was doing a thing to help her.

 

BUT IT IS NOT JUST THEIR FAILURE TO HELP.

IT IS ALSO THEIR FAILURE TO PROVIDE.

 

God actually ordained provision for the helpless all throughout the Law.

Deuteronomy 14:28-29 “At the end of every third year you shall bring out all the tithe of your produce in that year, and shall deposit it in your town. “The Levite, because he has no portion or inheritance among you, and the alien, the orphan and the widow who are in your town, shall come and eat and be satisfied, in order that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hand which you do.”

 

Every third year, the helpless were actually to be the recipient of the tithe.

 

That is why Malachi came along and said this:

Malachi 3:10 “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this,” says the LORD of hosts, “if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows.”

 

But the tithe was not all that was there’s.

God also said:

Deuteronomy 24:19-22 “When you reap your harvest in your field and have forgotten a sheaf in the field, you shall not go back to get it; it shall be for the alien, for the orphan, and for the widow, in order that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. “When you beat your olive tree, you shall not go over the boughs again; it shall be for the alien, for the orphan, and for the widow. “When you gather the grapes of your vineyard, you shall not go over it again; it shall be for the alien, for the orphan, and for the widow. “You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt; therefore I am commanding you to do this thing.”

 

This widow should have never been in a position of need,

Let alone a position of need with none to help.

 

God had intended for the helpless to be cared for.

These people reveal their depravity because they did not.

 

Deuteronomy 27:19 “Cursed is he who distorts the justice due an alien, orphan, and widow.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’”

 

Hopefully that paints a picture of the circumstances

This widow finds herself in.

 

That leads to a second point.

 

First, the widow’s circumstances

#2 THE WIDOW’S CRY

2 Kings 4:1

 

It is too obvious to point out that this woman trusted God to protect her?

• She didn’t go on the run with her children…

• She didn’t try to hide them…

• She isn’t found begging and pleading with the creditor…

• She has carried her request to God.

 

She rightly understood that God cares for His own.

1 Peter 5:6-7 “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.”

 

She has determined to take her dilemma to God (through His prophet)

Instead of seeking deliverance from other source.

 

And certainly we could learn from such a woman.

 

REMEMBER WHAT JESUS SAID?

Matthew 6:25-33 “For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? “Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? “And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? “And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. “But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! “Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ “For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

 

Her first concern her entire life had not been food and clothing.

Her first concern had been the kingdom of God, and now that she is in desperate need she is going to the One who promises to meet our needs.

 

GOD PROMISES THE SAME FOR YOU!

 

Matthew 7:7-11 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. “For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. “Or what man is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf, will give him a stone? “Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he? “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!”

If we understand compassion,

How much more do you thing Holy God understands it?

 

That is why this woman is crying out to Him and not the creditor.

 

The Widow’s circumstances The Widow’s cry

#3 GOD’S COMPASSION

2 Kings 4:2-7

 

Now please notice Elisha’s answer.

“What shall I do for you?”

 

That indicates a couple of things.

• For one, that Elisha may have been poor as well.

• But most importantly, Elisha was revealing that the power for provision was not his, but God’s.

 

Elisha could not do a thing, but God could.

And God would.

 

After revealing her jar of oil, Elisha gives a command.

(3) “Go, borrow vessels at large for yourself from all your neighbors, even empty vessels; do not get a few.”

 

Now obviously this would have been a strange request.

 

Can you imagine the neighbors response?

Why do you need jars?

What could you possible do with these?

 

But, true faith reveals itself through true obedience,

And so this woman does exactly what is commanded of her.

 

She gathers every possible vessel she can get her hands on.

 

(4) “And you shall go in and shut the door behind you and your sons, and pour out into all these vessels, and you shall set aside what is full.”

 

I find this concept quite interesting.

(not the miracle)

 

“go in and shut the door behind you”

 

I think it is safe to say that our society is becoming more and more “mystical” in regard to the things of God.

 

We live in such a “instant gratification” society that people are literally

Craving the ecstatic, the miraculous, and the flamboyant.

 

Furthermore there seem to be no shortage of mystical magicians out there

Who are willing to give them what they crave for.

 

But when God works this miracle, He purposely does it in private.

 

And by the way, we continually saw this from Jesus as well.

Luke 5:14-15 “And He ordered him to tell no one, “But go and show yourself to the priest and make an offering for your cleansing, just as Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.” But the news about Him was spreading even farther, and large crowds were gathering to hear Him and to be healed of their sicknesses.”

 

Luke 8:54-56 “He, however, took her by the hand and called, saying, “Child, arise!” And her spirit returned, and she got up immediately; and He gave orders for something to be given her to eat. Her parents were amazed; but He instructed them to tell no one what had happened.”

 

In fact notice what Jesus did on one occasion:

Mark 1:32-39 “When evening came, after the sun had set, they began bringing to Him all who were ill and those who were demon-possessed. And the whole city had gathered at the door. And He healed many who were ill with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and He was not permitting the demons to speak, because they knew who He was. In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there. Simon and his companions searched for Him; they found Him, and said to Him, “Everyone is looking for You.” He said to them, “Let us go somewhere else to the towns nearby, so that I may preach there also; for that is what I came for.” And He went into their synagogues throughout all Galilee, preaching and casting out the demons.”

 

Jesus knew that signs and wonders don’t lead people to salvation,

But rather the preaching of the gospel leads men to salvation.

 

AND HERE GOD IS WORKING HIS MIRACLE IN PRIVATE

This is not a demonstration for validity,

This is not some public spectacle meant to wow the people.

 

This was very simply God,

Doing what His people should have been doing all along.

He is helping the helpless and doing it privately.

 

IS THAT NOT WHAT WE ARE COMMANDED TO DO?

Matthew 6:2-4 “So when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. “But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.”

 

This is not about publicity, this is about compassion.

God is here doing what His people would not.

 

VERSES 5-7

 

God multiplied the oil (Elisha wasn’t even there)

But Elisha knew the purpose.

 

“Go, sell the oil and pay your debt, and you and your sons can live on the rest.”

Not only did God give what she asked for,

But He gave more than she asked for.

 

Philippians 4:19 “And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

 

God is compassionate for His own, even when no one else is.

 

Psalms 37:25 “I have been young and now I am old, Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken Or his descendants begging bread.”

 

I know the society we live in today.

It is daily growing more and more cold

To the things and people of God.

 

And it is certainly true that living a life devoted to God

Can force you to sacrifice the things of the world.

 

Some of the greatest saints to ever live, were also some of the poorest:

 

Hebrews 11:37-38 “They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated (men of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground.”

 

And because the world treats God’s servants with such hostility,

It is very tempting to not go too far in our service to God.

 

We fear the loss of all things, and so we don’t surrender all to Jesus.

 

Learn from this woman.

GOD DOES NOT FORSAKE HIS OWN.

 

Hebrews 13:5-6 “Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU,” so that we confidently say, “THE LORD IS MY HELPER, I WILL NOT BE AFRAID. WHAT WILL MAN DO TO ME?”

 

This morning I don’t know what sort of things you are facing.

 

This world promises all sorts of hardships.

But I do know that if you will humble yourself and seek God,

He will meet your needs.

 

But you do have to trust Him.

You do have to seek Him.

You do have to obey Him.

 

Maybe today you are not oppressed in any way,

But you need to open your eyes to those around you

And display the compassion of our great God.

 

It’s good to tithe mint and dill and cumin,

But don’t neglect the weightier provisions of the Law,

“justice, mercy, and faithfulness”

For God “desires compassion and not a sacrifice.”

 

This morning determine be the hands and feet of Christ.

 

1 Peter 5:6-7 “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.”

 

2 Kings 3 (1-3)

 

Back now in our study of the Kings of Israel,

We see what appears to me to be a thick headed individual.

 

We are all familiar with this family line.

• GRANDFATHER: Omri – introduced Baal worship to Israel

• FATHER: Ahab – Built Baal a temple

• MOTHER: Jezebel – lover of idolatry, murderer

• BROTHER: Ahaziah – ruled 2 years and fell through the lattice

 

And it is still safe to say that the acorn didn’t fall far from the tree.

 

Jehoram (also referred to as Joram)

Reigns from 2 Kings 3 – 2 Kings 9:24

 

But the bulk of information on him is found here in chapter 3.

 

And as we study him, it is quite easy to come to the conclusion

That Jehoram was clueless.

 

IN A CLUELESS WORLD, HE IS QUITE A RELEVANT STUDY

 

There are three main divisions in our chapter this morning.

#1 HIS DESCRIPTION

2 Kings 3:1-12

 

Allow me to break this down a little more and show you exactly who he was.

 

1) HE REBELLED CONTINUALLY (1-3)

 

The simple evaluation of his life was this:

(2) “He did evil in the sight of the LORD,”

 

So really the question is there answered.

He was a wicked king.

 

But the Bible doesn’t leave it at that,

There is more information about him.

 

“He did evil in the sight of the LORD, though not like his father and his mother, for he put away the sacred pillar of Baal which his father had made.”

For some reason (which the text does not state)

JEHORAM WAS NOT GIVEN TO BAAL WORSHIP.

 

• Maybe he had heard about Mt. Carmel…

• Maybe he had enough knowledge of the Levitical Law to know better…

 

Whatever the reason, it appears that Jehoram is doing well.

(3) “Nevertheless, he clung to the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which he made Israel sin; he did not depart from them.”

 

So while Jehoram did not fall into his parent’s sin,

He did fall into Jeroboam’s sin.

(Golden calves – Unqualified Priests – Changed the feasts)

 

And apparently he did more than fall into it.

Scripture says he “clung to” it.

 

That word “clung” in the Hebrew is DABAQ

 

Ruth 1:14 “And they lifted up their voices and wept again; and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her.”

 

(of Hezekiah)

2 Kings 18:6 “For he clung to the LORD; he did not depart from following Him, but kept His commandments, which the LORD had commanded Moses.”

 

But probably most notable:

Genesis 2:24 “For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh.”

 

The picture is even though he may have been warned otherwise,

Jehoram was married to the evil of Jerobaom.

 

The point is that he rebelled continually.

He refused to let go of Jeroboam’s sin.

 

And this is an interesting point,

For in our day, there would be many who would say:

 

“Well, at least he didn’t follow Baal, I mean he is trying isn’t he?”

 

Many adopt such a view of sin today.

“I may not give God everything He wants,

But at least I do some things right”

 

Those who adopt such a view on obedience are clueless.

 

It is the theology of the Rich Young Ruler, who when Jesus told him to “keep the commandments” he said, “Which ones?”

 

Always seeking to give God just enough to keep Him happy.

 

Somewhere in our minds, there is this desire to adopt a theology

That God is happy with the scraps of your life.

 

But that is not true!

The greatest commandment is:

Matthew 22:37 “And He said to him, “‘YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.’”

He doesn’t accept a partial offering, He wants all of you.

 

People think Jehoram was OK because they compare him to Ahab,

But other men are not the standard by which mankind is judged.

 

With God there is no middle ground.

He either owns you or He doesn’t.

 

Jesus said:

Matthew 12:30 “He who is not with Me is against Me; and he who does not gather with Me scatters.”

 

God requires absolute and total obedience.

 

Jehoram “clung to the sins of Jeroboam”

And thus he was continually out of the will of God.

 

THE POINT IS:

You cannot live in sin and be in the middle of God’s will.

 

We often offer up “The Doctrine of Fair Exchange” to God.

Well, I do this wrong, but I do this right…

I may not have done that, but I did do this…

 

God is not interested in such half-hearted obedience.

 

Jeremiah told his listeners:

Jeremiah 7:9-10 “Will you steal, murder, and commit adultery and swear falsely, and offer sacrifices to Baal and walk after other gods that you have not known, then come and stand before Me in this house, which is called by My name, and say, ‘We are delivered!’ — that you may do all these abominations?”

 

Jehoram may have looked better than his father,

But in God’s eyes he was still a long way away (as you will see later).

 

If he thought partial obedience was acceptable to God,

He was truly clueless.

 

He Rebelled Continually

2) HE STRUGGLED POLITICALLY (4-8)

 

For those interested in apologetics, history, or even archaeology:

This happens to be quite a fundamental text in Scripture for historical purposes.

In 1868 an archaeologist discovered what is called “The Mesha Stele” it is a graven monument written by Mesha, King of Moab which actually verifies historically the truths we study in the book of Kings.

 

What I want you to see is that

Because Jehoram was out of the will of God,

By reason of his disobedience, things did not go easily for him.

 

Moab had been in subjection to Israel

Since the days of his grandfather Omri.

And now, he was losing control.

 

SO JEHORAM IS GOING TO GO AFTER HIM

(And of course there is Jehoshaphat: The Influenced King right there with him)

 

THE POINT IS, when you study the Kings, it is apparent that those kings who honored God in their heart enjoyed God’s favor on their kingdom.

 

Of course we remember the splendor of Solomon:

1 Kings 10:23-25 “So King Solomon became greater than all the kings of the earth in riches and in wisdom. All the earth was seeking the presence of Solomon, to hear his wisdom which God had put in his heart. They brought every man his gift, articles of silver and gold, garments, weapons, spices, horses, and mules, so much year by year.”

 

You may remember as well God’s blessing on Asa:

2 Chronicles 15:12-15 “They entered into the covenant to seek the LORD God of their fathers with all their heart and soul; and whoever would not seek the LORD God of Israel should be put to death, whether small or great, man or woman. Moreover, they made an oath to the LORD with a loud voice, with shouting, with trumpets and with horns. All Judah rejoiced concerning the oath, for they had sworn with their whole heart and had sought Him earnestly, and He let them find Him. So the LORD gave them rest on every side.”

 

Even Jehoshaphat was blessed by God:

2 Chronicles 17:3-6 “The LORD was with Jehoshaphat because he followed the example of his father David’s earlier days and did not seek the Baals, but sought the God of his father, followed His commandments, and did not act as Israel did. So the LORD established the kingdom in his control, and all Judah brought tribute to Jehoshaphat, and he had great riches and honor. He took great pride in the ways of the LORD and again removed the high places and the Asherim from Judah.”

 

God rewarded those kings who fully submitted their lives to Him.

 

But Jehoram was not fully committed and so he struggled.

He saw his enemies begin to rise up and defy him.

 

WHEN WE ARE OUT OF THE WILL OF GOD

IT MAKES BLESSING EXTREMELY DIFFICULT.

 

2 Chronicles 16:9a “For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His.”

 

God desires to bless your life, but as long as you cling to sin,

It makes it extremely difficult for Him to do that.

Jehoram was clueless to the fact.

He Rebelled Continually He Struggled Politically

3) HE WAS CONFUSED THEOLOGICALLY (9-12)

 

And this may really prove to be the reason

Why Jehoram never really sought God correctly.

 

These kings run out of water and are in real danger.

 

But notice who Jehoram immediately blames it on.

(10) “Alas! For the LORD has called these three kings to give them into the hand of the Moab.”

 

Jehoram didn’t see God as a deliverer,

Jehoram saw God as a destroyer.

• Maybe his parents filled his head with negative thoughts about God…

• Maybe Ahab cursed God for the drought…

• Maybe Jezebel blamed God for Ahab’s death…

 

Nevertheless it is apparent that Jehoram

Does not see God as Someone to seek, but as Someone to avoid.

 

He has a bad theology on God.

And bad theology leads to bad action.

 

Now it is true that God should be feared,

But that does not mean you should not trust Him.

 

Jeremiah 29:11 “’For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.”

 

Many times we hesitate to give God complete control of our lives

Because we tend to think that if we do,

He will do something awful to us.

 

• If I fully surrender to Him, then He will send me to Africa…

• If I dedicate my child to Him, He will send them to Africa…

• If I tell Him to use me for His glory, then He will make me suffer…

 

Such thinking does not come from God.

That mindset is directly planted by the enemy.

 

REMEMBER SATAN & EVE?

 

Genesis 3:1 “Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, “Indeed, has God said, ‘You shall not eat from any tree of the garden’?”

 

Genesis 3:4-5 “The serpent said to the woman, “You surely will not die! “For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

Is it true that there are things out there that God didn’t want us to know?

And the answer is YES!

 

• He never wanted you to know what it felt like to cry over a loved one’s tomb

• He never wanted you to know what chemo felt like.

• He never wanted you to know the heartache of a rebellious child.

 

And so God said, “Stay away from that tree of knowledge, because there are some things you just don’t want to know – namely death.”

 

But mankind was stubborn,

Believing that God was killing all the fun,

And so instead of trusting Him,

We believed the worst about Him and went the other way.

 

That is where Jehoram obviously was.

He wouldn’t seek God because He thought God to be out to get him.

 

THAT WAS NOT TRUE!

John 10:10 “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”

 

God was not out to kill Jehoram.

Ezekiel 33:11 “Say to them, ‘ As I live!’ declares the Lord GOD, ‘I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn back, turn back from your evil ways! Why then will you die, O house of Israel?’

 

2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.”

 

1 Peter 5:6-7 “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.”

 

Jesus said:

Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. “For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

 

• Why in the world would you reject a God who desires to help you?

• Why in the world would you disobey a God who wants to bless you?

• Why would you refuse to seek a God who has good plans for you?

 

You wouldn’t, unless you were clueless.

 

It makes me wonder how many cluless people

Really dwell in our world today.

• People who insist on a lifestyle of disobedience…

• People who would rather suffer the struggles of life than trust God…

• People who think God is out to get them, and run from Him at all cost…

 

That was Jehoram.

He was clueless, you can see it in his description.

 

#2 HIS DIRECTION

2 Kings 3:13-19

 

Now it is apparent that Jehoram never gave any thought to seeking God,

So it was good for him that his companion knew all about it.

 

Jehoshaphat had said, (11) “Is there not a prophet of the LORD here, that we may inquire of the LORD by him?”

 

You may remember that is one of Jehoshaphat’s favorite questions.

 

And it is fortunate for Jehoram that Jehoshaphat is there.

And so they go to the prophet.

(It is sort of like taking a lost and hopeless person to church.)

 

And in this “Church service”

Jehoram is going to learn a thing or two about God.

 

In fact there are four main things he will learn.

1) GOD IS ANGRY (13-15)

 

Just in case you were in doubt about God being pleased

With his half-hearted obedience, Elisha settles the debate.

 

And Elisha makes no bones about revealing that Jehoram

Is outside of the will of God and God is not pleased.

 

(13) “What do I have to do with you? Go to the prophets of your father and to the prophets of your mother.”

 

After an argument Elisha nails him again:

(14) “As the LORD of hosts lives, before whom I stand, were it not that I regard the presence of Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, I would not look at you nor see you.”

 

This is something that a clueless world needs to understand.

• God does love you.

• God does have a plan for your life.

• God does desire to prosper you and not to harm you.

• God does desire for you to be saved.

But don’t let that translate to you that God is a pushover.

 

Just because God is love does not mean God does not get angry.

If you are living in sin, it is true that God has a better plan for you,

But it is also true that if you reject that plan you are in hot water.

It is before a Holy God that you have sinned,

While He does seek to bless, He does not leave the guilty unpunished.

 

I have always loved what God said to Moses.

(God actually introduced Himself to Moses on the Mountain)

 

Here is how God introduced Himself.

Exodus 34:6-7 “Then the LORD passed by in front of him and proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth; who keeps lovingkindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression and sin; yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished, visiting the iniquity of fathers on the children and on the grandchildren to the third and fourth generations.”

There is tremendous love and mercy there,

Yet there is also a very real promise of judgment.

 

God had a plan for Jehoram,

And it was not ok that Jehoram was rejecting that plan.

 

The same can be said to us today.

• God has a plan for your forgiveness…

• God has a plan for your salvation…

• God has a plan to give you new life and life abundant…

 

That plan is Jesus.

But that plan is not optional, if you reject the plan of Jesus,

The full and total wrath of God abides on you.

 

Listen to what Paul told the Romans:

Romans 2:4-6 “Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance? But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who WILL RENDER TO EACH PERSON ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS:”

 

Jehoram was rejecting God’s plan for his life and God was angry.

 

God is angry

2) GOD IS MERCIFUL (16-17)

 

God is angry, yes Jehoram is clueless.

But, somehow, Jehoram is in church asking God for help.

 

And God is so merciful that He didn’t give Jehoram what he deserved.

 

(17) “You shall not see wind nor shall you see rain; yet that valley shall be filled with water, so that you shall drink, both you and your cattle and your beasts.”

 

Mercy is when you don’t get what you deserve.

Jehoram deserved to die in the desert, but God was merciful.

(I wonder if the answer shocked Jehoram)

 

I don’t care how angry He is with you,

If you return to Him, He is merciful.

 

Matthew 7:7-11 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. “For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. “Or what man is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf, will give him a stone? “Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he? “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!”

You may be way out of the will of God,

And God may be fuming angry at you for it.

 

But at this very moment if you will cry out to God in your heart

And ask for His forgiveness, and salvation, He will give it.

 

You deserve judgment, but God is merciful.

 

A Clueless King needed to know that

 

God is angry God is merciful

3) GOD IS GRACIOUS (18)

 

We could easily talk about God’s power here as well, as Elisha says, “This is but a slight thing in the sight of the LORD”

 

In other words, deliverance is easy for God.

If you would only cry out to Him, He can easily do it.

 

But the real beauty of the verse is found next.

“He will also give the Moabites into your hand.”

 

Mercy is you not getting what you deserve.

Grace is you getting what you don’t deserve

God went the extra mile in order to promise victory as well.

 

That is what God does for us when we call upon Him.

Not only does He not send us to hell as our sins deserve,

But He goes the extra mile and offers eternal life.

 

Ephesians 3:20 “Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us,”

 

Jehoram had God all wrong.

God was not out to get him, God was trying to help him,

He only had to seek.

God is angry God is merciful God is gracious

4) GOD IS EXPECTANT (19)

 

There is one condition to crying out to God for help.

That is that your life is now under His authority.

JEHORAM WOULD BE EXPECTED TO WALK IN OBEDIENCE

 

God doesn’t save you to make sin OK

God saves you so that you will live for Him

 

Ephesians 2:8-10 “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”

 

We are saved by grace and we are saved for obedience.

A Clueless King needed to know that.

 

His Description His Direction

#3 HIS DELIVERANCE

2 Kings 3:20-27

 

God delivered Moab.

The problem is that Jehoram did not fully obey.

God had told him to “strike every fortified city and every choice city”

 

But, when Mesha sacrificed his son, and the battle got more intense, Jehoram and the three armies pulled out.

 

One might say that Jehoram started out clueless

And that he ended up clueless.

 

Not only did he not start seeking God, but according to

2 Kings 10:26-27, he went home and got Baal’s idle out of the closet

 

And so instead of blessing, he dies by getting shot in the back

While fleeing from an enemy.

He was clueless.

 

This morning we know that Jehoram didn’t learn a thing,

But what I wonder is if you did.

 

• Is there an area of disobedience in your life that you have failed to surrender?

• Have you refused to seek God afraid of what He might require of you?

DON’T LEAVE CLUELESS

 

John 10:10 “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”

 

2 Kings 2 (8-14)

 

We have seen many kings come and many go.

 

And yet the hero has been Elijah

He was the prophetic voice which always seemed

To stand against the tide, even if he had to stand alone.

 

WHERE WOULD ISRAEL BE WITHOUT ELIJAH?

 

But now it is time for a new voice to step onto the scene.

This story actually started several weeks ago.

 

1 Kings 19:15-18 “The LORD said to him, “Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus, and when you have arrived, you shall anoint Hazael king over Aram; and Jehu the son of Nimshi you shall anoint king over Israel; and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah you shall anoint as prophet in your place. “It shall come about, the one who escapes from the sword of Hazael, Jehu shall put to death, and the one who escapes from the sword of Jehu, Elisha shall put to death. “Yet I will leave 7,000 in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal and every mouth that has not kissed him.”

 

Between those three men not a single Baal worshiper would escape.

 

We learned that even though it wasn’t as fast as Elijah wanted,

God was at work, and revival was coming.

 

And so Elijah went from that place and called Elisha

1 Kings 19:19-21 “So he departed from there and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, while he was plowing with twelve pairs of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth. And Elijah passed over to him and threw his mantle on him. He left the oxen and ran after Elijah and said, “Please let me kiss my father and my mother, then I will follow you.” And he said to him, “Go back again, for what have I done to you?” So he returned from following him, and took the pair of oxen and sacrificed them and boiled their flesh with the implements of the oxen, and gave it to the people and they ate. Then he arose and followed Elijah and ministered to him.”

 

From that point on Elisha was the understudy.

He served Elijah, he ministered to Elijah.

He was in training for the day when Elijah would be gone.

 

In our text this morning, that day has come.

And this morning we see exactly how this new witness comes about.

 

3 main points this morning.

#1 THE PERSISTENCE OF ELISHA

2 Kings 2:1-6

 

You will immediately notice that it is time for Elijah’s departure.

And God is going to give him quite a departure.

Elijah would not taste death, but would catch a whirlwind to heaven.

In a moment you will see why.

 

But as it nears his time to leave, we find a man glued to his side.

That man is Elisha.

 

In fact, three times Elijah tries to get Elisha to go away.

VERSE 2, 4, 6 But Elisha refused to leave Elijah’s side.

 

Twice we have the sons of the prophets interfering (3,5),

But Elisha refused to be distracted.

 

He reminded me of the Canaanite woman.

Matthew 15:21-28 “Jesus went away from there, and withdrew into the district of Tyre and Sidon. And a Canaanite woman from that region came out and began to cry out, saying, “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is cruelly demon-possessed.” But He did not answer her a word. And His disciples came and implored Him, saying, “Send her away, because she keeps shouting at us.” But He answered and said, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” But she came and began to bow down before Him, saying, “Lord, help me!” And He answered and said, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” But she said, “Yes, Lord; but even the dogs feed on the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.” Then Jesus said to her, “O woman, your faith is great; it shall be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed at once.”

 

This woman was also persistent.

She knew what she wanted, she knew where to get it,

And she wasn’t leaving until she got it.

 

That is the same type of attitude that Elisha has here.

He refuses to leave Elijah’s side.

WHY?

 

Well, that is what we see next.

#2 THE PETITION OF ELISHA

2 Kings 2:7-14

 

It is apparent from verse 9 that Elijah knew why Elisha would not leave.

“Ask what I shall do for you before I am taken from you.”

 

Elisha had a request.

 

WHAT WAS THE REQUEST?

“Please, let a double portion of your spirit be upon me.”

 

Elisha was about to try and fill Elijah’s shoes.

He most certainly did not want to do it in his own strength.

 

(At Pastor’s Conference – “Filling Jerry Vines’ shoes”)

 

Talk about feeling incapable and second rate.

And here Elisha is about to try and fill Elijah’s shoes.

 

No way he could do it unless he had equipping from on high.

He asked for “a double portion of your spirit”

 

Elijah was bold…

Elijah was strong…

Elijah was confident…

ELIJAH WAS ALSO PERSECUTED

 

Remember Ahab wanted to kill Elijah – he searched to every country.

Remember Jezebel wanted to kill Elijah – she vowed to do so.

Remember Ahaziah wanted to kill Elijah – he sent 3 captains with their 50

 

It is similar to when Jesus answered James and John:

Matthew 20:20-23 “Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to Jesus with her sons, bowing down and making a request of Him. And He said to her, “What do you wish?” She said to Him, “Command that in Your kingdom these two sons of mine may sit one on Your right and one on Your left.” But Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?” They said to Him, “We are able.” He said to them, “My cup you shall drink; but to sit on My right and on My left, this is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by My Father.”

We all know that cup was.

It was the same cup Jesus referred to when He prayed, “Let this cup pass from Me…”

 

To share in His Spirit is to share in His suffering.

But Elisha asked anyway.

 

(10) “You have asked a hard thing. Nevertheless, if you see me when I am taken from you, it shall be so for you; but if not, it shall not be so.”

 

By this sign, Elisha would know if his request had been granted.

 

(11-12) “As they were going along and talking, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire and horses of fire which separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind to heaven. Elisha saw it and cried out, “My father, my father, the chariots of Israel and its horsemen!” And he saw Elijah no more. Then he took hold of his own clothes and tore them in two pieces.”

 

Elisha nearly got run over by a flaming chariot,

And at once Elijah was gone.

Elisha ripped his clothes as he saw his mentor disappear.

 

And then a very important thing happened.

(13) “He also took up the mantle of Elijah that fell from him and returned and stood by the bank of the Jordan.”

 

This was more than following Elijah around.

This was fulfilling the calling of God.

 

Who would step up and fill the void left by Elijah?

And the answer is: Elisha.

 

And his first priority was to make sure God was with him.

(You don’t want to go, if God is not for you)

 

(14) “He took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him and struck the waters and said, “Where is the LORD, the God of Elijah?” And when he also had struck the waters, they were divided here and there; and Elisha crossed over.”

 

And instantly God reveals that He is for Elisha.

(Such great confirmation!)

 

So we see the Persistence of Elisha

The Petition of Elisha

#3 THE PROOF OF ELISHA

2 Kings 2:15-25

 

What you will see taking place here is God revealing to the rest of the world that Elisha is indeed His new chosen spokesman.

 

1) A SEARCH (15-18)

 

The sons of the prophets were not yet ready to concede all to Elisha.

They wanted to make sure.

 

Elisha told them otherwise, but they didn’t believe him.

In fact, they shamed him.

 

(17) “But when they urged him until he was ashamed, he said, “Send.” They sent therefore fifty men; and they searched three days but did not find him.”

 

Apparently they said something like:

“You just don’t want us to find Elijah, so you can be the bid chief prophet. You think it’s all about you.”

 

And so Elisha told them to go, but they obviously did not find Elijah.

 

(18) “Did I not say to you, ‘Do not go’?”

God allowed Elisha to get the last word,

And to prove that he was indeed God’s spokesman.

A Search

2) A SIGN (19-22)

 

It was one of many miracles that Elisha would work.

In fact, many recon that Elisha

Worked twice as many miracles as Elijah.

 

A Search, A Sign

3) A SLAUGHTER (23-24)

 

Here, Elisha goes to Bethel.

 

You will remember it as one of the locations of Jeroboam’s golden calves,

 

It is obvious there that the people

Don’t care to hear from God’s prophets.

 

They have even taught their children to be disrespectful

To those men who speak for God.

 

And so the children come out mocking Elisha.

(They are really mocking God and His word)

 

(24) “When he looked behind him and saw them, he cursed them in the name of the LORD. Then two female bears came out of the woods and tore up the forty-two lads of their number.”

 

It was a brutal lesson, but the lesson was clear.

 

Then Scripture says:

(25) “He went from there to Mt. Carmel, and from there he returned to Samaria.”

He visited that historic battle site

And then, “he returned to Samaria.”

 

The prophet was ready to begin his ministry.

• He was now God’s witness.

• He had been clothed with God’s power.

• God had proven Him with miracles and signs.

 

We see there a man who was faithful to his calling,

To pick up the torch of those who had gone before him.

 

WHAT I DIDN’T TELL YOU AS WE WERE GOING THROUGH THIS TEXT IS THAT THIS IS A HIGHLY PROPHETIC CHAPTER.

 

This chapter serves as an amazing picture,

With many details which are far more than coincidence.

 

The reason Elijah was caught up into the sky is because

He was foreshadowing how someone else would some day leave.

 

Elijah was a picture of Jesus.

Elisha was a picture of the disciples.

 

LET ME GIVE YOU A FEW SIMILARITIES

 

1) THE NEED FOR GOD’S SPIRIT

Elisha knew he needed it.

 

Remember what Jesus taught His disciples?

John 15:26-27 “When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify about Me, and you will testify also, because you have been with Me from the beginning.”

 

John 16:1-7 “These things I have spoken to you so that you may be kept from stumbling. “They will make you outcasts from the synagogue, but an hour is coming for everyone who kills you to think that he is offering service to God. “These things they will do because they have not known the Father or Me. “But these things I have spoken to you, so that when their hour comes, you may remember that I told you of them. These things I did not say to you at the beginning, because I was with you. “But now I am going to Him who sent Me; and none of you asks Me, ‘ Where are You going?’ “But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. “But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.”

 

In fact, Jesus specifically instructed the disciples

Not to try and start their ministry without Him.

Luke 24:44-49 “Now He said to them, “These are My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and He said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ would suffer and rise again from the dead the third day, and that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. “You are witnesses of these things. “And behold, I am sending forth the promise of My Father upon you; but you are to stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”

 

2) THE ACTUAL ASCENSION

 

With Elijah’s last breath, he was giving instruction

(11) “As they were going along and talking, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire and horses of fire which separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind to heaven.”

 

This is also how Jesus ascended.

Acts 1:6-9 “So when they had come together, they were asking Him, saying, “Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority; but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.” And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.”

3) THE RESPONSE TO THE ASCENSION

Notice that after Eljiah was gone, Elisha ripped his garments.

 

It symbolized a time of mourning…

It symbolized a time of separation…

 

This is no different than Jesus’ disciples.

Matthew 9:14-15 “Then the disciples of John came to Him, asking, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but Your disciples do not fast?” And Jesus said to them, “The attendants of the bridegroom cannot mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them, can they? But the days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.”

 

Although the disciples had a ministry to perform,

It did not mean that they did not long to still be with Jesus.

 

4) HOW THE HOLY SPIRIT CAME

 

Notice how Elisha received the Holy Spirit.

Fire came down, as the whirlwind took Elijah up.

 

At Pentecost when the disciples received Him:

Acts 2:2-4 “And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them tongues as of fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance.”

 

5) THE IMMEDIATE PRESENCE OF BOLDNESS

 

Elisha is speaking to all with boldness and authority.

 

So the disciples also.

These once timid men who hid in the upper room and went fishing every time it got difficult, suddenly found themselves with a bold passion to serve.

 

Acts 4:19-20 “But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge; for we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.”

 

6) THE SHARING IN PERSECUTION

 

Elisha was instantly mocked.

 

Look at how the disciples were treated:

2 Corinthians 4:8-11 “we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.”

 

They shared in His cup.

7) THE INCREASE IN MIRACLES

 

Elisha did twice as many miracles as Elijah.

 

Remember what Jesus said to His disciples?

John 14:12 “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father.”

 

No, they were not greater than Jesus,

But because they were able to spread out,

They took the gospel further than Jesus ever took it.

 

THIS IS A PROPHETIC CHAPTER

REVEALING HOW GOD WOULD ONE DAY EMPOWER HIS CHURCH TO CONTINUE THE MINISTRY OF JESUS.

 

And can you imagine where we would be today if they had not stepped up to the plate after the departure of Jesus?

 

• What if Peter had refused to preach at Pentecost?

• What if Peter had refused to witness to Cornelius?

• What if Paul had been too afraid to take the gospel to Asia or Rome?

 

Where would we be if these men had not decided

To try and fill shoes that seemed impossible to fill?

 

But as you must know, it didn’t stop there.

Jesus passed the torch to these men, and faithfully they took up the mantle and carried the truth to a lost and dying world.

 

But there would come a day when these men

Would see their departure as well.

 

Peter wrote:

2 Peter 1:12-15 “Therefore, I will always be ready to remind you of these things, even though you already know them, and have been established in the truth which is present with you. I consider it right, as long as I am in this earthly dwelling, to stir you up by way of reminder, knowing that the laying aside of my earthly dwelling is imminent, as also our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. And I will also be diligent that at any time after my departure you will be able to call these things to mind.”

 

Peter wrote to his followers, that he would soon be departing,

And they needed to be reminded of the truth,

So that they could be faithful witnesses just as he had been.

 

Paul was no different.

When he was getting close to leaving, he invested in a replacement as well.

 

That man’s name was Timothy.

2 Timothy 1:8-14 “Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity, but now has been revealed by 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 an apostle and a teacher. For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day. Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you.”

 

In case you didn’t know the background to that letter.

Timothy was discouraged and wanted to quit.

Paul wrote to challenge him to stay the course.

 

At the end of the letter he said:

2 Timothy 4:1-8 “I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths. But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.”

 

Paul closed his letter revealing that he was about to depart,

And that he wanted Timothy to fill his shoes.

 

While we don’t have record of how Peter’s followers responded,

WE DO KNOW WHAT TIMOTHY DID.

 

Hebrews 13:23 “Take notice that our brother Timothy has been released, with whom, if he comes soon, I will see you.”

 

It is obvious that Timothy took up Paul’s mantle.

Timothy stood strong, even to the point of imprisonment.

 

• Jesus had passed the torch to His disciples…

• They had passed the torch to theirs…

 

Hopefully I don’t have to tell you that the torch is still passing today.

 

“Christianity is always only one generation away from extinction.”

 

We know the truths of Jesus today

Because of the faithful who went before us.

They were empowered by the Holy Spirit to fulfill a task

Much bigger than themselves and they answered the call.

 

TODAY THE CALL GOES OUT TO US.

Perhaps you have read Hebrews 11.

 

We call it the “Faith Hall of Fame”

It lists those tremendous saints of old who trusted God no matter what.

 

And the preacher says this:

Hebrews 12:1-2 “Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

 

In other words, since those before us have faithfully run the race,

Even amidst hardship, let us also run.

 

Let us take up their mantle and faithfully proclaim their message.

 

The preacher would go on to say:

Hebrews 13:12-14 “Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people through His own blood, suffered outside the gate. So, let us go out to Him outside the camp, bearing His reproach. For here we do not have a lasting city, but we are seeking the city which is to come.”

 

• At one point, Elijah held the mantle…

• He passed it to Elisha…

• Eventually it made it’s way to Jesus who passed it to Paul…

• Paul passed the mantle to Timothy…

• And now, having passed throughout the ages, it is passed to us.

 

The question is will we do what Elisha did?

Will we do what Paul did?

Will we do what Timothy did?

 

Will we take up the mantle and fulfill the ministry?

 

In a world of moral decay, when so many hate the truth,

Will you stand for God and speak the truth?

 

2 Timothy 4:1-5 “I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths. But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”

 

1 Kings 22:51 – 2 Kings 1:18 (51-53)

 

We are now into the study of another new king.

You will remember a couple of weeks ago

That Ahab died a predetermined death.

 

Today we see the heir to his throne. – AHAZIAH

 

The King Who Didn’t Fear God

 

By that I mean that Ahaziah very simply

Did not take God seriously.

 

When God gave commands Ahaziah ignored them…

When God warned of judgment Ahaziah didn’t believe him…

 

You will see this as we examine our text.

#1 HIS LEGACY

1 Kings 22:51-53

 

In case you are wondering, when it was initially written, there was not 1 & 2 Kings.

It was all just one book. However to conserve papyrus, it was broken into two books. (This explains the rather odd division)

 

But to close out the book of 1 Kings

We see a generic description of this king we call Ahaziah.

 

He was king in the north while Jehoshaphat was king in the south.

He reigned for 2 years.

 

And here is his legacy

(52) “He did evil in the sight of the LORD and walked in the way of his father and in the way of his mother and in the way of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who caused Israel to sin.”

 

From there it is easy to see the problem with Ahaziah.

He had three really bad mentors.

 

 

Of course you are very familiar with Ahab.

1 Kings 16:30-32 “Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the LORD more than all who were before him. It came about, as though it had been a trivial thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he married Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, and went to serve Baal and worshiped him. So he erected an altar for Baal in the house of Baal which he built in Samaria.”

 

Ahab took idolatry to a whole new level in Israel.

Not only did he worship Baal, but he actually built Baal a temple.

 

At the end of his life, the general description of Ahab was given.

1 Kings 21:25 “Surely there was no one like Ahab who sold himself to do evil in the sight of the LORD, because Jezebel his wife incited him.”

 

Ahab was an idolatrous, immoral King.

 

And God brought him to an pre-determined death.

(lying prophets – random arrows – bloody chariot – bathing harlots)

 

And this was one of Ahaziah’s mentors.

 

You are also recently familiar with his second mentor; Jezebel.

 

As we just read, Jezebel was the daughter of

Ethbaal king of the Sidonians.

 

We know that she was an idolatrous woman as well.

1 Kings 18:19 “Now then send and gather to me all Israel at Mount Carmel,together with 450 prophets of Baal and 400 prophets of the Asherah, who eat at Jezebel’s table.”

 

She was also a deceptive and immoral woman.

1 Kings 21:8-10 “So she wrote letters in Ahab’s name and sealed them with his seal, and sent letters to the elders and to the nobles who were living with Naboth in his city. Now she wrote in the letters, saying, “Proclaim a fast and seat Naboth at the head of the people; and seat two worthless men before him, and let them testify against him, saying, ‘ You cursed God and the king.’ Then take him out and stone him to death.”

 

You may also remember her to be a real stumbling block to Ahab.

(Ahab might have turned to the Lord after Mt. Carmel – Elijah thought so)

 

But Jezebel wouldn’t have it

1 Kings 19:1-2 “Now Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “So may the gods do to me and even more, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time.”

 

We are talking about a woman who is not only apathetic to the things of God, but one who is downright opposed to them.

 

She will die by being thrown out a window

 

And this was also one of Ahaziah’s role models.

 

The third role model for Ahaziah was Jeroboam.

 

God chose him as a form of punishment on Solomon for straying.

God gave him the ten northern tribes to rule over.

 

But because he feared that people would return to the king of Judah,

Jeroboam did a despicable thing in Israel.

 

1 Kings 12:28-30 “So the king consulted, and made two golden calves, and he said to them, “It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem; behold your gods, O Israel, that brought you up from the land of Egypt.” He set one in Bethel, and the other he put in Dan. Now this thing became a sin, for the people went to worship before the one as far as Dan.”

 

Jereboam changed the location of worship, changed the date of worship, and invented his own order of priesthood.

 

It was total disrespect for the word of God, and God judged him for it.

 

1 Kings 14:7-10 “Go, say to Jeroboam, ‘Thus says the LORD God of Israel, ” Because I exalted you from among the people and made you leader over My people Israel, and tore the kingdom away from the house of David and gave it to you — yet you have not been like My servant David, who kept My commandments and who followed Me with all his heart, to do only that which was right in My sight; you also have done more evil than all who were before you, and have gone and made for yourself other gods and molten images to provoke Me to anger, and have cast Me behind your back — therefore behold, I am bringing calamity on the house of Jeroboam, and will cut off from Jeroboam every male person, both bond and free in Israel, and I will make a clean sweep of the house of Jeroboam, as one sweeps away dung until it is all gone.”

 

Jeroboam led Israel away from God, and they never returned to Him.

 

When Assyria eventually carried the northern kingdom into exile,

It is the sin of Jeroboam that is given as the reason why.

 

He was one of Ahaziah’s mentors.

 

They were arguably the three worst culprits in Israel’s history

And they are the ones that Ahaziah chose to follow.

 

And you can see the result of him walking in their path.

(53) “So he served Baal and worshiped him and provoked the LORD God of Israel to anger, according to all that his father had done.”

 

It is safe to say that Ahaziah is a chip off the old block.

 

BUT HERE IS WHAT IS PUZZLING

• You knew of God’s judgment on Jeroboam…

• You saw God’s judgment on Ahab…

• God’s judgment on Jezebel has already been promised…

 

SO WHY WOULD AHAZIAH FOLLOW THEIR LEAD?

 

He didn’t see what happened to them as the judgment of God,

AND HE DOESN’T FEAR GOD’S JUDGMENT IN HIS OWN LIFE.

 

It is obvious that to Ahaziah, God is all bark and no bite.

• Sure He threatens judgment…

• Sure He commands righteous living…

• Sure He desires personal devotion…

But God really won’t do anything about it will He?

In fact, there is evidence here in a moment that

Ahaziah might not have even believed that God was real.

 

He was apathetic.

He did not fear God.

 

This is our society as well.

Romans 3:18 “THERE IS NO FEAR OF GOD BEFORE THEIR EYES.”

 

• People live in blatant immorality…

• People flirt with idolatry…

 

But mostly people disregard the commands of God.

 

THE GREATEST PROOF PEOPLE DON’T FEAR GOD IS DISOBEDIENCE

 

All throughout Scripture, there is a clear link

Between fear of God and obedience to God.

 

Psalms 112:1

“How blessed is the man who fears the LORD, Who greatly delights in His commandments.”

 

Psalms 128:1

“How blessed is everyone who fears the LORD, Who walks in His ways.”

 

Isaiah 50:10 “Who is among you that fears the LORD, That obeys the voice of His servant, That walks in darkness and has no light? Let him trust in the name of the LORD and rely on his God.”

 

If you don’t obey God, then you don’t fear God.

 

It is apathy.

And Ahaziah had it.

He was taught it by the best, and now he followed in their shoes.

 

His Legacy

#2 HIS LESSON

2 Kings 1:1-18 (1-2)

 

Ahaziah falls through the lattice of his upper chamber.

(They did much on the roof, and this was like a fence around the edge of the roof)

 

And then the problem. (not surprising)

“So he sent messengers and said to them, “Go, inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron, whether I will recover from this sickness.”

 

This is why you even might ask if Ahaziah believes God is real.

When life gets serious, and he really wants answers, he doesn’t go to God.

He goes to Baal-zebub.

This is a major slap in the face to God.

• It is to say He is incompetent…

• It is to say He is ignorant…

• It is to say He isn’t even real.

 

And the tragedy is that this type of belief

Has become the accepted belief in Israel.

 

So God is about to teach Ahaziah, and all Israel a lesson.

• He is tired of being overlooked…

• He is tired of being ignored…

• He is tired of being mocked…

 

And so there is a basic lesson for Ahaziah and Israel.

 

God is about to teach Ahaziah and Israel

Some of the most basic and fundamental lessons about Himself.

 

In a world of people who don’t seem to fear God.

These are three things you need to know.

 

1) God is a Jealous God: Seek Him (3-6)

 

After reading those few verses, it is apparent

That God was upset with what was going on in Israel.

 

• These were His chosen people…

• This was His land that He gave to them…

• He had been their God and provided for them…

 

And now, when tragedy strikes they go and seek some foreign god.

 

This is most definitely NOT cool with God.

Nahum 1:2a “A jealous and avenging God is the LORD;”

 

Perhaps you remember when God issued the Ten Commandments:

Exodus 20:3-6 “You shall have no other gods before Me. “You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth. “You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing lovingkindness to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.”

 

Later in Exodus God said:

Exodus 34: 14 “for you shall not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God”

 

As we read at the end of 1 Kings, seeking other gods provokes Him.

 

 

 

In Deuteronomy God began to reveal the punishment for provoking Him.

Deuteronomy 4:23-24 “So watch yourselves, that you do not forget the covenant of the LORD your God which He made with you, and make for yourselves a graven image in the form of anything against which the LORD your God has commanded you. “For the LORD your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.”

 

Deuteronomy 6:14-15 “You shall not follow other gods, any of the gods of the peoples who surround you, for the LORD your God in the midst of you is a jealous God; otherwise the anger of the LORD your God will be kindled against you, and He will wipe you off the face of the earth.”

 

When you provoke God to jealousy,

You invite upon yourself His judgment.

 

That is precisely what is happening here.

Ahaziah did not seek God, and he provoked God to wrath.

 

(6) “Thus says the LORD, ‘Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are sending to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron? Therefore you shall not come down from the bed where you have gone up, but shall surely die.’”

 

Ahaziah cried to a god he thought could tell him the future.

He should have cried to the God who holds his life in His hands.

 

That is what He wants from us as well.

God doesn’t want you trusting in man, or trusting in money.

God wants you trusting in Him.

God wants you seeking Him.

 

He intended it this way.

Not just for Israel, but for all mankind.

 

Remember when Paul preached in Athens?

Acts 17:24-27 “The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands; nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things; and He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us;”

 

God is the only God, and demands to be treated like it.

 

Isaiah 42:8 “I am the LORD, that is My name; I will not give My glory to another, Nor My praise to graven images.”

 

The point is that it is no trivial thing to provoke God to jealousy.

 

TURN TO: 1 CORINTHIANS 10

 

God is a Jealous God: Seek Him

2) God is a Powerful God: Fear Him (7-15)

 

What you see in that incident

Is a man who has forgotten that God is not to be messed with.

• They supposed God to be subject to intimidation…

• They supposed they could get Elijah to change his mind…

 

God twice responded to their arrogance.

 

But the third time, Israel has learned her lesson.

“O man of God, please let my life and the lives of these fifty servants of yours be precious in your sight. Behold fire came down from heaven and consumed the first two captains of fifty with their fifties; but now let my life be precious in your sight.”

 

They finally realize that God’s word is not to be taken lightly.

 

He has the power to do anything He wants,

SO YOU HAD BETTER FEAR HIM.

 

And this too is seen throughout Scripture.

Isaiah 8:13 “It is the LORD of hosts whom you should regard as holy. And He shall be your fear, And He shall be your dread.”

 

Deuteronomy 10:12-13 “Now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require from you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways and love Him, and to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the LORD’S commandments and His statutes which I am commanding you today for your good?”

 

Deuteronomy 10:20 “You shall fear the LORD your God; you shall serve Him and cling to Him, and you shall swear by His name.”

 

And the command is no different in the New Testament.

 

Jesus said:

Matthew 10:28 “Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”

 

Paul said:

2 Corinthians 7:1 “Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.”

 

Peter said:

1 Peter 1:17-19 “If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth; knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.”

 

God’s word is not a suggestion,

And we do not have the option of arrogantly rejecting it.

Ahaziah’s men did not start out with a fear of the Lord,

But they learned that lesson in a hurry.

 

And we ought to learn that lesson as well.

 

Uzza

1 Chronicles 13:7-10 “They carried the ark of God on a new cart from the house of Abinadab, and Uzza and Ahio drove the cart. David and all Israel were celebrating before God with all their might, even with songs and with lyres, harps, tambourines, cymbals and with trumpets. When they came to the threshing floor of Chidon, Uzza put out his hand to hold the ark, because the oxen nearly upset it. The anger of the LORD burned against Uzza, so He struck him down because he put out his hand to the ark; and he died there before God.”

 

Aaron’s sons

Leviticus 10:1-5 “Now Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took their respective firepans, and after putting fire in them, placed incense on it and offered strange fire before the LORD, which He had not commanded them. And fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed them, and they died before the LORD. Then Moses said to Aaron, “It is what the LORD spoke, saying, ‘By those who come near Me I will be treated as holy, And before all the people I will be honored.'” So Aaron, therefore, kept silent. Moses called also to Mishael and Elzaphan, the sons of Aaron’s uncle Uzziel, and said to them, “Come forward, carry your relatives away from the front of the sanctuary to the outside of the camp.” So they came forward and carried them still in their tunics to the outside of the camp, as Moses had said.”

 

Moses & Aaron

Numbers 20:11-12 “Then Moses lifted up his hand and struck the rock twice with his rod; and water came forth abundantly, and the congregation and their beasts drank. But the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you have not believed Me, to treat Me as holy in the sight of the sons of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them.”

 

In the New Testament:

Acts 5:1-6 “But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, and kept back some of the price for himself, with his wife’s full knowledge, and bringing a portion of it, he laid it at the apostles’ feet. But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back some of the price of the land? “While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not under your control? Why is it that you have conceived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.” And as he heard these words, Ananias fell down and breathed his last; and great fear came over all who heard of it. The young men got up and covered him up, and after carrying him out, they buried him.”

 

And even today, we have a warning from the Lord.

1 Corinthians 11:27-32 “Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner, shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord. But a man must examine himself, and in so doing he is to eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For he who eats and drinks, eats and drinks judgment to himself if he does not judge the body rightly. For this reason many among you are weak and sick, and a number sleep. But if we judged ourselves rightly, we would not be judged. But when we are judged, we are disciplined by the Lord so that we will not be condemned along with the world.”

 

God is worthy of fear, respect, and honor.

God is a Jealous God: Seek Him

God is a Powerful God: Fear Him

3) God is a Trustworthy God: Believe Him (16-18)

 

I find this section pretty interesting.

 

Ahaziah wanted Elijah to come and meet him face to face.

We can suppose that he wanted Elijah to change his stance.

 

But you probably noticed that the message did not change.

“is it because there is no God in Israel to inquire of His word? – therefore you shall not come down from the bed where you have gone up, but shall surely die.’”

 

Then I like verse 17.

“So Ahaziah died according to the word of the LORD”

 

Israel just learned another important lesson.

When God promises something, it happens.

 

Isaiah 55:10-11 “For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, And do not return there without watering the earth And making it bear and sprout, And furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater; So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.”

 

1 Thessalonians 5:24 “Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.”

 

1 Corinthians 1:9 “God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.”

 

Psalms 37:5 “Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, and He will do it.”

 

• If He promises blessing, then blessing is what you get.

• If He promises judgment, then judgment is what you get.

• If He promises provision…

• If He promises protection…

• If He promises forgiveness…

 

Ordinarily if someone promises that they will do something,

There are two reasons why it might not come to pass.

• They might lack integrity (they are lying)

• They might lack ability (they can’t do what they intended)

 

God lacks neither.

 

It is impossible for Him to lie, and with Him all things are possible.

 

 

 

Because He is honest, and because He is omnipotent,

We know that if God says it, it is a done deal.

 

It is apparent that ever since the reign of Jeroboam,

Israel had allowed their theology on God to slide.

 

They had forgotten that:

• God is a jealous God, so seek Him.

• God is a powerful God, so fear Him.

• God is a trustworthy God, so believe Him.

 

 

Those are basic things that ought not to be forgotten.

But if you are not walking in obedience to the word of God

It is obvious that you have forgotten those things.

 

It is sheer stupidity and arrogance

To ignore the commands of God in Scripture.

 

Listen:

God is merciful…

God is gracious…

God is love…

BUT HE IS STILL GOD

Seek Him, Fear Him, Believe Him

 

Ahaziah learned those lessons the hard way.

 

This morning I would simply ask, is there an area of disobedience in your life that you have failed to give to the Lord?

 

If so, let me strongly encourage you to correct it,

For God is not someone to be messed with.

 

Matthew 10:28 “Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”