#516 2 Summation of Kings

We carelessly lift up the wrong things, ourselves and ideals that are wrought with the fallacy of human goodness or idols of things that God created. 2 Kings starts with Ahaziah, of the line of Ahab, a wicked king. He seeks to know his fate by the oracle of an idol, a man made god, that can only live in the minds of the corrupt or by way of the demonic. It all becomes the same, created things wanting to be elevated above the Creator, insanity. He has fallen and wants to know if he will be able to get up again. Elijah gives him the answer, but he does not listen. Pride is a privilege to no one, and it always precedes their destruction. It is the first of sin, and it leaves a deep and mortal scar, through every page of this book. You will die, you will take your men with you, God does not bow to your armies, but He gives grace to the humble. 

Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up. James 4:10

In the second chapter of second kings we find the time of Elijah coming to an end, and what a marvelous life, the life of a prophet. We would all show a preference to being king, the luxury of such a position, but Elisha can think of nothing greater than following in the footsteps of his master. Oh to be the oracle of God, to share God's light, to teach His word, to reflect the love of Christ to a lost and dying world. There it is, not pride, but the desire to honor God, die to yourself. There it is now, the cross, go ahead, take it up and follow after Jesus. No, you're right, it isn't sexy enough, not luxurious enough, you will actually be different, not because you are a rebel without a clue, a self professed sage and critical thinker. You made nothing, came into this world by no choice of your own, naked, and frail. You ask for a double portion of this spirit, to carry on this legacy, to have the right of the first born. "My father, my father, the chariots and the horsemen of Israel!" Elijah couldn't give it, we cannot bestow upon our family nor our friends salvation, for that is of the Lord. Make sure of your calling, don't follow men unless they are following Christ, don't count on them for your salvation or to have a relationship with Christ on your behalf. Go to the foot of the cross yourself, read the words that bring faith, listen to those who are sound and walk away from false teachers. Elisha was chosen by God to continue this, and he was under God's protection, hence the bears that dissolved the mob. Be careful what title you want, for prophets became the source of much innocent blood. They were despised and rejected like Messiah, referred to as those that trouble Israel. The message was hardly ever well received, and especially the overall call to repent. People will go out of their way to make their own prophets with their own words, that resonate with their own thoughts. 

2 Kings 3 shows us well that a good name is rather to be chosen than silver or gold. It serves not only Jehoshaphat well, but even the one with not so great a name, who is with him. Joram is an immature king, worldly, and quick to think little of the prophet. After all, Elisha was at one time only a servant of Elijah. Who did God respect though? The man with the highest IQ, the most money, the most material things or the most followers, none will stand in place of Elisha, they will all need to know from him what God says. This time it is good to them, but usually they want to kill the messenger. God's honor often comes at a cost, His love was priceless.

In 4 we find a woman that was kind to Elisha, and she is blessed with a child. We should always be about the entertaining of those who may be our angels here. Remembering also the fatherless and widows, for those that cannot afford to pay us back become those beautiful works that Christ has set out before us. She shows this kindness to Elisha, and he wants to pay her back but she says that she has all she needs. They are not satisfied to do nothing for her, but search out for themselves that thing she lacks. Unto us a Son is given, unto us a child is born. She watches him pass away and receives him again from the dead. If it is from God, not even death can hold it. 

5 brings us to the leper Naaman, and here we find that kings are powerless in such times, for such needs. He needs to be made clean, and the law that is enforced by rulers, the laws of Moses too, can only define a thing as unclean, but they have no power to change the heart, nor even then the science to heal his sickness. There are not enough fine things in this world, not enough money to buy us out of our debt to eternal holiness and justice. Thankfully, though the king of Israel is a wreck, there is still a prophet in Israel, the word is not yet gone from there. This is a most glorious thing, that all he must do is go and dip himself 7 times in the river Jordan. His pride rears up and says it is not fitting, this is not how it should be done, but and yet still, here he is a leper. His servants plead with him to listen, to humble himself so that he can be made clean. Repent is the call, be clean is the command, be holy as your Father is holy, but how?

Sadly, that which Naaman would give to be clean would tempt Gehazi to uncleanness. 

Six brings us to a kindness that opens the eyes without destroying the person. Some are anxious to judge even when they will not meet that same measure. Where is kindness, reality of our own insufficiency, patience and intercession? Elisha lets those who would take him go, and he commands the king to feed his enemy and give them drink. Later, Elisha is hunted for the judgment that has fallen upon the land. Women fighting over the meat of their own children, another way to have one's eyes opened, but men insist it is not them but God, or at least His prophet's fault. Repent.

7 brings good news from the mouths of the sick and the lame. You will not care at this point what the preacher looks like, how well he is dressed, all you will say is:

The woman with the son, who has shown Elisha kindness, is sent away before God's wrath is set upon this place. Chapter 8 is a hard message, but the woman who honored God's servant is spared from God's judgment. 

God removes Jezebel in chapter 9, and woe to all those who lead people astray, who would call themselves prophets, set up a hybrid church, a religion unto themselves. The prophecy was fulfilled, and the dogs left only remnants of her body behind.

In 10 we find the reform of Jehu, that he was passionate until a point. He was willing to check off the things on his own list, but did not check with God to know all else. He his paid a distinction here in that he made an effort but effort is only good while we are in the way, and it quickly falls apart when we stop. He was a fierce man, but it appears that his reforms fell short of his honor which fell short of eternity. 

In chapter 11, another Jezebel rises up in Athaliah, and though she attempts to end the line of David, she is thwarted. That seed marches on, it carries that hope of Christ into the next generation.