WE CANNOT SERVE THE LORD GOD AND OTHERS

PROCLAMATION

“They feared The Lord, and they served their own gods, after the manner of the nations whom they carried away from thence.”  2 Kings 17:33 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  The human author is unknown although some Bible scholars attribute this book to the prophet Jeremiah.  During the nine year reign of Hoshea the son of Elah over Israel, he did that which was evil in the sight of The Lord.  Shalmaneser the king of Assyria took him captive and made him his servant.  Then he bound him and put him in prison when he learned that Hoshea had sent messengers to So the king of Egypt for help. (2 Kings 17:1-4)  Shalmaneser sieged Samaria and took the people of Israel captive.  The Lord God allowed this to happen because Israel had sinned and worshiped the statues of the heathens and offered sacrifices unto them. (2 Kings 17:5-12)  God had sent prophets to Israel and Judah to tell them to turn from their evil ways but they rejected them and went in the ways of the heathens.  Therefore He was angry with them and punished them with captivity. (2 Kings 17:13-23)  The king of Assyria brought men from Babylon, and Cuthah, and Ava, and Hamath, and Sepharvaim and placed them in the cities of Samaria where the children of Israel had lived.  These men did not know or fear The Lord so He sent lions among them which slew some of them.  They cried out to the king who ordered that one of the captive priest from Israel be taken to Bethel in Samaria to teach the new inhabitants how to serve The Lord. They worshiped The Lord but every nation also made gods of their own.  They feared The Lord God but they also worshiped and made sacrifices to their own gods. (2 Kings 17:24-41)  

 

APPLICATION

We cannot serve two masters. (Matthew 6:24 and Luke 16:13)  The Lord God told us that He is a jealous God (Exodus 20:5) and we are to serve no others. (Exodus 20:3)  We are not to put anyone or anything above or ahead of Him, and we are not to have any others alongside of Him or in addition to Him.  The Lord God is God, and He is God all by Himself.  He is The One and Only True and Living God.  Beside Him there is none other. (Deuteronomy 5:7 and Mark 12:32)  There is no other name under heaven whereby we can be saved. (Acts 4:12)

 

THE KING OF JUDAH SACRIFICED HIS SON

PROCLAMATION

“… Ahaz the son of Jotham king of Judah began to reign.  Twenty years old was Ahaz when he began to reign … and did not that which was right in the sight of The Lord … But he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, yea, and made his son to pass through the fire, according to the abominations of the heathen, whom The Lord had cast out from before the children of Israel.”  2 Kings 16:1-3 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  The human author is unknown although some Bible scholars attribute this book to the prophet Jeremiah.  Ahaz was the king of Judah but he did evil in the sight of The Lord as the kings of Israel had done.  And worse yet he even sacrificed his son as a brunt offering as the heathens of Syria did in their idol worship.  When Rezin the king of Syria and Pekah the king of Israel joined forces to make war against Ahaz king of Judah, he called upon Tiglath-pilser the king of Assyria (Mesopotamia, the northern portion of Syria) to help him and did not call on The Lord God. (2 Kings 16:1-7)  Ahaz paid him silver and gold, and Tiglath-pilser agreed to help him and went up against Damascus and took it.  He took the people of Damascus as captives and slew Rezin.  When Ahaz went to meet with Tiglath-pilser, he saw the altar they used for sacrifices and he offered a sacrifice to their god.  Then Ahaz sent word and commanded that Urijah the priest to build a similar altar for them.  Afterwards, he dismantled all of the other worship items and blocked the entrance to the temple. (2 Kings 16:8-18)  When Ahaz died his son Hezekiah reigned in his place.

 

APPLICATION

When The Lord God warned His people not to imitate the sinful customs of the nations they would inhabit, the first item on the list of forbidden practices was the sacrifice of their sons and daughters by fire. (Deuteronomy 18:9-10)  This is an abomination unto The Lord God. (Deuteronomy 18:12)  All sin is sinful and God hates sin.  However He hates some sins more than others.  There are seven sins which are an abomination to God: pride, greed, wrath, envy, lust, gluttony, and sloth.  These are referred to as the seven deadly sins. (Proverbs 6:16-19)  The sacrificial killing of a son or daughter can be added to this list.  The worst sin is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, for this sin cannot be forgiven. (Mark 3:28-30)  Do not disrespect The Lord God, in word or deed, and do not use the name of God in vain. (Exodus 20:7)

 

KING AFTER KING DID EVIL

PROCLAMATION

 “… Did Zachariah the son of Jeroboam reign over Israel in Samaria six months.  And he did that which was evil in the sight of The Lord, as his fathers had done;  he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin.”  2 Kings 15:8-9 (KJV)

EXPLANATION

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  The human author is unknown although some Bible scholars attribute this book to the prophet Jeremiah.  Azariah the son of Amaziah reigned as king of Judah.  He reigned for fifty-two years and did that which was right in the sight of The Lord but he did not remove the high places which were used for sacrifices to idols.  Azariah was a leper and his son Jotham judged the people, and when he died Jotham followed him as king of Judah. (2 Kings 15:1-7)  Zachariah the son of Jeroboam reigned over Israel in Samaria for six months and he did evil in the sight of The Lord.  Shallum the son of Jabesh conspired against Zachariah and slew him and reigned in his stead.  Shallum reigned for one month in Samaria before Menahem the son of Gadi slew him and reigned in his stead. (2 Kings 15:8-17)  Menahem reigned for ten years over Israel in Samaria and he did evil in the sight of The Lord.  He gave Pul the king of Assryia one thousand talents of silver to side with him and confirm him as king.  When Menahem died his son Pekahiah reigned after him for two years and he did evil in the sight of The Lord. (2 Kings 15:18-24)  Pekah the son of Remaliah, a captain of Pekahiah, conspired against him and killed him.  Then Pekah reigned over Israel for twenty years and did evil in the sight of The Lord.  Then Hoshea the son of Elah conspired  against Pekah and slew him and reigned in him place. (2 Kings 15:24-31)  Meanwhile in Judah Jotham the son of Uzziah reigned as king.  He reigned for sixteen years and he did that which was right in the sight of The Lord. 

APPLICATION

If we are going to imitate someone, then we ought to imitate someone who is doing good and doing the right thing.  Ideally, we should pattern our life after Jesus, The Christ.  Instead, we choose some sinful man as our hero and follow his example down the wrong path.  It is better to follow and trust in The Lord than to trust in man. (Psalm 118:8)  The heart of man, including our leaders, is deceitful and desperately wicked. (Jeremiah 17:9)   We don’t know who to trust because our judgment is faulty, our knowledge is limited, and we lack discernment.  That is why we should follow and trust in the Lord God, and not trust our own understanding. (Proverbs 3:5)

 

PRIDE CAN LEAD TO TROUBLE

PROCLAMATION

“Thou hast indeed smitten Edom, and thine heart hath lifted thee up; glory of this, and tarry at home; for why shouldest thou meddle to thy hurt, that thou shouldest fall, even thou, and Judah with thee?”  2 Kings 14:10

EXPLANATION

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  The human author is unknown although some Bible scholars attribute this book to the prophet Jeremiah.  Amaziah the son of Joash was twenty-five years old when he began to reign as king of Judah.  He did that which was right in the sight of The Lord but he did as his father Joash did and not as David.  He left standing the high places for sacrifices and idol worship. (2 Kings 14:1-4)  As soon as he was confirmed as king, he put to death the servants who had killed his father but he spared their children.  After that he went to war with Edom and took the city of Selah and renamed it Joktheel. (2 Kings 14:5-7)  Then Amaziah king of Judah sent messengers to Jehoahaz king of Israel requesting that they meet face to face.  Jehoahaz replied telling Amaziah to give his daughter to his son to be his wife.  He told him just because you defeated Edom does not mean that you should meddle with me.  He said, if you come up against me you will lose.  But Amaziah would not listen and he went up against Israel, and Judah was defeated.  Israel took Amaziah captive and then tore down the gates and wall of Jerusalem, and took all of the gold and silver from the house of The Lord and the king’s house. (2 Kings 14:8-14)  The people led a conspiracy against Amaziah in Jerusalem and he fled to Lachish, but they caught him there and slew him.  Then the people took his sixteen year old son Azariah and made him king of Judah. (2 Kings 14:19-21)  While Amaziah was king in Judah, Jeroboam the son of Joash began to reign as king of Israel in Samaria.  He did that which was evil in the sight of The Lord and led Israel to sin.  He expanded Israel and restored the coast and the cities of Damascus and Hamath to Israel which had belonged to Judah.  He reigned for forty-one years and when he died, his son Zachariah reigned in his stead. (2 Kings 14:22-29)

APPLICATION

We should not let our accomplishments cause us to “get a big head” and to think more of ourselves that we ought to think. (Romans 12:3)  Our pride and our over-inflated image of ourselves can get us into trouble, as it did here with King Amaziah.  We ought to pray and humble ourselves as we work for the glory of God. (2 Chronicles 7:14)  If we do not humble ourselves, The Lord God can allow things to happen in our lives so that we will be humbled. (Isaiah 2:11, Isaiah 2:17, Isaiah 5:15, Isaiah 10:33, Matthew 23:12, and Luke 14:11)

EVEN DEAD THE MAN OF GOD HAD POWER

PROCLAMATION

“And it came to pass, as they were burying a man, that, behold, they spied a band of men; and they cast the man into the sepulcher of Elisha; and when the man was let down, and touched the bones of Elisha, he revived, and stood up on his feet.”  2 Kings 13:21 (KJV)

EXPLANATION

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  The human author is unknown although some Bible scholars attribute this book to the prophet Jeremiah.  Jehoahaz the son of Jehu reigned over Israel in Samaria.  He did that which was evil in the sight of The Lord and made Israel sin.  The anger of The Lord was kindled against Israel and He delivered them into the hand of the Hazael king of Syria, and into the hand of Ben-hadad son of Hazael. (2 Kings 13:1-3)  During this time Elisha fell sick.  Elisha told Joash king of Israel to take up a bow and arrows.  Elisha put his hands on the king’s hands, then told him to open up a window facing east, and shoot.  He did and Elisha said that the arrow was The Lord’s deliverance of them from Syria.  He said they would smite Syria and consume them. (2 Kings 13:14-17)  Elisha then told the king to strike the ground with the arrows and the king struck the ground three times.  Because he was less than enthusiastic, Elisha said he should have stricken the ground five or six times, he would only have a partial victory over Syria rather than total domination. (2 Kings 13:17-19)  Soon afterwards Elisha died and they buried him.  And it came to pass, as they were burying a man, that they saw a band of men coming; and they cast the man into the sepulcher of Elisha; and when the dead man touched the bones of Elisha, he revived, and stood up on his feet. (2 Kings 13:20-21)  And it came to pass later on that Israel would defeat Syria three times as Elisha had said. (2 Kings 13:22-25)

APPLICATION

The power that Elisha had was not his own, it was the power of God.  That power was still present in Elisha’s bones even after he died and was buried.  The Lord God is all powerful, (Matthew 28:18) and all things are possible through Him. (Matthew 19:26)  The men of God today do not wield that kind of power because we do not have that kind of faith in God.  If we had faith in God the size of a grain of mustard seed, we could move mountains (Matthew 17:20) and trees. (Luke 17:6)  We need to exercise and grow our faith.  For as our faith grows so does our influence and effectiveness in doing God’s work. (2 Corinthians 10:15)

BUYING YOUR WAY OUT OF TROUBLE

PROCLAMATION

“Then Hazael king of Syria went up, and fought against Gath, and took it; and Hazael set his face to go up to war Jerusalem.  And Jehoash king of Judah took all the hallowed things that Jehoshaphat, and Jehoram, and Ahaziah, his fathers, kings of Judah, had dedicated, and his own hallowed things, and all the gold that was found in the treasures of the house of The Lord, and in the king’s house, and sent it to Hazael king of Syria; and he went away from Jerusalem.”  2 Kings 12:17-18 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  The human author is unknown although some Bible scholars attribute this book to the prophet Jeremiah.  And Johash did that which was right in the sight of The Lord all of his days.  He had been instructed by Jehoiada the priest. (2 Kings 12:1-2)  Then Jehoash (Johash) said to the priest, take all of the money which is brought to the temple and given to the priest, and use it for the repair of the house of The Lord. (2 Kings 12:3-6)  Some time later the King Jehoash asked Jehoiada the priest why the repairs on the temple had not been done.  After a while the priest hired the men to do the repairs on the temple.  They hired carpenters, builders, masons, hewers of stone, men to oversee the work. (2 Kings 12:7-12)  About that time Hazael king of Syria went to war against Gath and captured it.  Hazael was set to go to war against Jerusalem.  So Jehoash king of Judah gathered up all of the hallowed treasures and gold which had been collected by Jehoshaphat, by Jehoram, and by Ahaziah, along with his own hallowed things and sent them to  Hazael king of Syria.  When Hazael received the treasures he turned away from Jerusalem.  All of the people were not happy that Jehoash had bankrupted the city to save his own skin.  Then the servants of Jehoash led a conspiracy against him and slew him. (2 Kings 12:13-21)

 

APPLICATION

Do not rely on wealth. (Psalm 62:10)  While money is a means of exchange it cannot buy everything.  Sometimes people can buy their way out of trouble with money.  However, when the money that they spend is not all theirs, the people that are negatively affected by their actions may become very unhappy with them.  The leaders of governments do this all the time.  Some of them get away with it, but others pay a pretty price for their actions.  It is better not to expect that your wealth will take care of all of your problems.  There are some things that money cannot buy.  Money cannot buy blessings from The Lord God. (Acts 8:20)  

 

HUMAN GUARDIAN ANGEL BLESSINGS FOR A CHILD

PROCLAMATION

“But Jehosheba, the daughter of King Joram, sister of Ahaziah, took Joash the son of Ahaziah and stole him from among the king’s sons which were slain; and they hid him, even him and his nurse, in the bedchamber from Athaliah, so that he was not slain.”  2 Kings 11:2 (KJV)

EXPLANATION

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  The human author is unknown although some Bible scholars attribute this book to the prophet Jeremiah.  When Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she got up and destroyed all of the royal seed.  But Jehosheba, the daughter of King Joram and sister of Ahaziah, took Joash the son of Ahaziah and hid him in the nurses chamber so he was not slain.  They hid him in the house from Athaliah for six years. (2 Kings 11:1-3)  In the seventh year, Jehoiada the priest called the leaders and the captains of the guard and made a covenant with them to protect the king’s son and guard him at all times wherever he goes.  Then they brought him forth and put a crown upon him and anointed him king.  They clapped and cheered and shouted, “God save the king.” (2 Kings 11:4-12)  Athaliah heard the noise, went to investigate it and saw Joash the king and trumpeters by him.  As the people rejoiced, she tore her clothes and cried, “Treason” for she had reigned for seven years.  Jehoiada the priest commanded the captains of the guard and the officers of the army to follow her and kill her but only after she was outside of the house of The Lord. (2 Kings 11:13-16)  They slew Athaliah with a sword beside the king’s house.  The priest made a covenant between The Lord and the king and the people that they would be The Lord’s people.  Then the people went and tore down the house of Baal.  They broke all of the images of  Baal and the altars.  They killed Mattan the priest of Baal and the people of the land rejoiced.  Jehoash was seven years old when he began to reign as king. (2 Kings 11:17-21)   

APPLICATION

There is an old saying which goes, “God takes care of children and fools.” (Psalm 68:5 and Psalm 116:6)  And there is another similar one which says, “I am now old and wise because God took care of me when I was young and dumb.”  The point here is that even the very young children are afforded God’s protection.  The older sister, a nurse, and a priest all provided protection for the young boy who would be king.  God can use grown people to protect young children.  As an adult, we may be used as some child’s guardian angel.  The Lord God can use us to be a blessing to a child. 

BLESSED FOR DOING THE WILL OF GOD

PROCLAMATION

“And The Lord said unto Jehu, ‘Because thou hast done well in executing that which is right in Mine eyes, and hast done unto the house of Ahab according to all that was in Mine heart, thy children of the fourth generation shall sit of the throne of Israel.’ ”  2 Kings 10:30 (KJV)

EXPLANATION

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  The human author is unknown although some Bible scholars attribute this book to the prophet Jeremiah.  King Ahab had seventy sons in Samaria.  Jehu wrote letters to the rulers and elders in Samaria and anyone else who mentioned Ahab’s children.  He told them to identify the best and meekest of Ahab’s sons and set him on the throne but they were afraid to do so. (2 Kings 10:1-4)  Jehu then sent them a second letter saying if they were his servants, as they said, they should gather all of Ahab’s sons, cut off their heads, and bring them to him the following day.  They took the king’s sons, slew all seventy of them, and brought their heads to him and piled them up in two heaps near the gate entering the city. (2 Kings 10:5-8)  The Lord had accomplished through Jehu what He spoke to Elijah.  All of Ahab’s house and his kinfolk were destroyed.  Then Jehu went to Samaria and slew all forty-two of the brethren of Ahaziah king of Judah. (2 Kings 10:9-14)  Jehu said to the people of Samaria, “Ahab served Baal a little; but Jehu shall serve him much.”  Then he called together from all throughout Israel all of the prophets of Baal, the priests, and his servants under the pretense of having a grand worship sacrifice.  After they came he made a great sacrifice and brunt offering unto Baal.  Afterwards, Jehu ordered his men to kill all of the worshipers of Baal.  Then he had all of the images of Baal and the house of Baal burned.  Thus Jehu destroyed Baal in Israel. (2 Kings 10:18-28)  However, Jehu did not walk in the ways of The Lord.  He followed the ways of Jeroboam, and he worshipped the golden calf of Dan.  Because Jehu did what The Lord said by destroying the house of Ahab, The Lord God let four of Jehu’s generations sit on the throne of Israel. (2 Kings 10:29-36)

APPLICATION

There is a blessing in store for those who obey the will of God.  The Lord God can use whom He pleases to accomplish His will. (Romans 9:18)  As believers we need to be available and willing to do His will. (Ephesians 6:6 and 1 John 2:17)  For after we have done the will of God we will receive the promise of God. (Hebrews 10:36)  However, we should also believe in Him, worship Him, praise Him, pray to Him, obey His Holy Word, humble ourselves and turn from our sinful ways. (2 Chronicles 7:14)

THE WORD OF GOD WILL BE FULFILLED

PROCLAMATION

“Wherefore they came again, and told him.  And he said, ‘This is the word of The Lord, which He spoke by His servant Elijah the Tishbite, saying, ‘In the portion of Jezreel shall dogs eat the flesh of Jezebel.’ ”  2 Kings 9:36 (KJV)

EXPLANATION

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  The human author is unknown although some Bible scholars attribute this book to the prophet Jeremiah.  Then Elisha told one of the sons of the prophets to take a box of oil and go to Ramoth-gilead and seek out Jehu the son of Jehoshaphat.  He was to take Jehu away from among his brethren to an inner room and there anoint him king of Israel. (2 Kings 9:1-3)  The young prophet did as Elisha had told him to do.  After he anointed Jehu king of Israel, the young prophet told him that he would smite Ahab, his master, and that all of Ahab’s house would perish.  He said that dogs would eat the flesh of Jezebel, Ahab’s evil wife, then he opened the door and fled. (2 Kings 9:4-10)  Then the servants of Jehu came to him and asked what the prophet wanted and he told them that he had been anointed king of Israel.  They blew trumpets and announced it to the city.  Jehu then conspired against Joram who was in Jezreel to heal from the wounds he suffered in the battle with the Syrians. (2 Kings 9:11-15)  As Jehu travelled to Jezreel, a watchman in the tower alerted the king and he sent a horseman to see if Jehu came in peace.  When he did not return, a second horseman was sent who also did not return.  So Joram himself went to Jehu and found that he did not come in peace.  As he turned his chariot to flee, Jehu drew a bow which struck him in the back and came out of his chest, and he died in his chariot. (2 Kings 9:16-24)  When Ahaziah king of Judah saw this he fled to his garden house.  Jehu pursued him and killed him in his chariot.  Then Jehu went to Jezreel for Jezabel, who was in her tower and saw him coming.  She painted her face and did her hair, then leaned out of the window and called to him saying that he was the man who slew his master.  Jehu called to the eunuchs with her to throw her out of the window, and they did.  When she hit the ground she died and her blood splattered on the wall.  He rode his horses over her body then went inside to eat and drink.  Then he told the servants to go and bury her because she was a king’s daughter.  When they got to her body they found that the dogs had eaten all but her skull, hands and feet.  Thus fulfilling the word of  The Lord spoken by prophet Elijah the Tishbite. (1 Kings 21:20-23 and 2 Kings 9:25-37)

APPLICATION

Evil doers will soon be cut down. (Psalm 37:1-2)  The word of The Lord God will be fulfilled. (Matthew 5:18)  His promises will be kept.  It may not happen soon, or when we expect or want it to occur, but it will happen. (2 Peter 3:9)  God is not like man, He does not lie; what He says that He will do, He will do it. (Numbers 23:19)  Trust in The Lord and not in man. (Psalm 118:8)  We should not even trust in our own knowledge and understanding. (Proverbs 3:5)

NO ONE CAN TELL YOUR STORY LIKE YOU CAN

PROCLAMATION

“And when the king asked the woman, she told him.  So the king appointed unto her a certain officer, saying, ‘Restore all that was hers, and all the fruits of the field since the day she left the land, even until now.’ ”  2 Kings 8:8 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  The human author is unknown although some Bible scholars attribute this book to the prophet Jeremiah.  Then Elisha spoke to the woman, whose son he had restored to life, and told her to leave the country because a famine was coming.  The woman left and went to the land of the Philistines, and stayed there for seven years. (2 Kings 8:1-2)  After the famine ended she returned to her home country and asked the king to restore unto her the property which had been hers.  The king asked Gehazi, the servant of the man of God, to tell him about this woman and what Elisha had done for her.  Then the king asked the woman herself what happened.  Only after she spoke did the king restore unto her all that was hers, and all that the land had produced in the seven years that she was gone. (2 Kings 8:3-6)  Then Elisha went to Damascus and was summoned to Ben-hadad the king of Syria who was sick.  The king sent Hazael to get Elisha to determine if he would recover from his illness.  Elisha told Hazael to tell him that he would recover but that he would soon die.  Then Elisha wept because The Lord had revealed to him that Hazael would do evil unto the children of Israel during his reign as king of Syria. (2 King 8:7-15)  During this time Joram the son of Ahab reigned as king of Israel and he did evil in the sight of The Lord.  However, The Lord would not destroy Judah for David’s sake.  Edom revolted under the reign of Joram and established a king for themselves.  Joram tried to suppress the revolt but could not.  Then Libnah revolted from Joram at the same time. (2 Kings 8:16-22)  When Joram died, his son Ahaziah reigned in his stead.  Ahaziah was twenty-two when he began his reign and he also did evil in the sight of The Lord. (2 Kings 8:23-27)

 

APPLICATION

People may have heard about you, but they have not heard your story until they have heard it from you.  No one knows all of the details about your life’s story but you.  Only you know all of the things that The Lord has done for you and has brought you through.  Only you can give your testimony, so testify, and then praise The Lord.

 

DO NOT QUESTION WHAT THE LORD SAYS

PROCLAMATION

“And it came to pass as the man of God had spoken to the king, saying, ‘Two measures of barley for a shekel, and a measure of fine flour for a shekel, shall be tomorrow about this time in the gate of Samaria;  And that lord answered the man of God, and said, ‘Now, behold, if The Lord should make the windows in heaven, might such a thing be?  And he said, ‘Behold, thou shalt see it with thine eyes, but shalt not eat thereof.’  And so it fell out unto him; for the people trode upon him in the gate, and he died.”  2 Kings 7:18-20 (KJV)

EXPLANATION

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  The human author is unknown although some Bible scholars attribute this book to the prophet Jeremiah.  Then Elisha said, ‘Hear ye the word of The Lord; Thus saith The Lord, “Tomorrow about this time shall a measure of fine flour be sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, in the gate of Samaria.’ ”  Then the lord on whose hand the king leaned answered the man of God, and said, “Behold, if The Lord would make windows in heaven, might this thing be?”  And Elisha said, “Behold, thou shalt see it with thine eyes, but shalt not eat thereof.” (2 Kings 7:1-2)  About this time there were four leprous men sitting in the gate at the entrance to the city.  One of them said to the others, we will die if we continue to sit here.  And, if we go into the city while there is a famine, we will die.  Let’s go to the Syrians, they may or may not kill us.  So, they went to the camp of the Syrians and found no one was there. (2 Kings 7:3-7)  The lepers went from tent to tent, they ate and drank until they were full, then they took some of the silver and gold and hid it for themselves.  Fearing for their safety if they were discovered, they decided to go and tell the king what they found.  They went back to Samaria and told the porter of the city, who told the king. (2 Kings 7:8-11)  The king thought that it was a trap set for them by the Syrians so he sent out a small party of men with horses and chariots to investigate the situation.  The messengers found that it was just as the lepers had reported, and they returned and told the king and the people of Israel.  The people went out and took for themselves of the gold and silver left by the Syrians.  There was so much of the spoils that the next day a measure of fine flour was sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, in the gate of Samaria as the man of God had said. (2 Kings 7:12-16)  The man whom the king leaned on was appointed the charge of the gate, but the people trampled on him in the gate and he died. (2 Kings 7:17-20)

APPLICATION

It is not good for one to make fun of, or mock, or question the man of God.  If you do not believe him and what he is saying, it is probably better to keep it to yourself.  Verify what he said by checking The Bible.  To publicly contradict the man of God can have serious consequences for you if you are wrong.  Here it cost a man his life.  When a man of God says, “Thus saith The Lord …,” it is best to pay attention to whatever he says, and pray.

IF GOD IS WITH YOU

PROCLAMATION

“And he answered, ‘Fear not; for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.’  And Elisha prayed, and said, ‘Lord, I pray Thee, open his eyes that he may see.  And The Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw; and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.”  2 Kings 6:16-17 (KJV)

EXPLANATION

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  The human author is unknown although some Bible scholars attribute this book to the prophet Jeremiah.  And the sons of the prophets told Elisha that the place where they dwelt did not accommodate them.  So they went down by the Jordan river to build a place there.  As they cut down the trees, the metal head of one man’s axe flew off and fell into the Jordan.  He was upset because he had borrowed the axe.  Elisha asked him where it had fallen into the water.  The man showed him the place, and Elisha cut off a stick and cast it there, and the axe head floated to the surface and the man grabbed it. (2 Kings 6:1-7)  The king of Syria was a war with Israel.  However, Elisha seemed to always know his every move, so much so that the king thought there was a spy among his servants.  The king sent his servants out to find Elisha and was told that he was in the town of Dothan. (2 Kings 6:8-13)  The king of Syria sent horses and chariots and a great army to surround the city where Elisha was staying.  When Elisha’s servant woke up the next morning, he went out and saw the army which had surrounded them and he was afraid.  The servant asked Elisha what they were going to do.  Elisha prayed that The Lord God would open the servants eyes, and when He did, the young man saw horses and chariots of fire covering the mountains around Elisha. (2 Kings 6:12-17)  Then Elisha prayed that The Lord would smite the kings army with blindness, and blinded Elisha led them to Samaria.  After they arrived in Samaria Elisha prayed and The Lord opened their eyes and they saw that they were in the midst of Samaria.  The king of Israel wanted to kill them but Elisha stopped him, and told him to feed them and then send them on their way.  After they ate they returned to their master and the Syrians did not bother Israel again. (2 Kings 6:18-23)

APPLICATION

“If God be for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31)  He can send a heavenly host of angels, more than twelve legions of angels (Matthew 26:53) to fight our battles.  With His voice He can speak and knock over an army of men. (John 18:3-6)  However, or whichever way He wants to, He can fight for us and we will win. (2 Chronicles 32:8 and 1 Corinthians 15:57)  All we have to do is believe.

 

DO NOT LIE TO THE MAN OF GOD

PROCLAMATION

“But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, ‘Behold, my master hath spared Naaman this Syrian, in not receiving at his hands that which he brought … I will run after him, and take somewhat of him … My master hath sent me …’ Naaman said be content take … But he went in, and stood before his master.  And Elisha said unto him, ‘Whence comest thou, Gehazi?’  And he said, ‘Thy servant went no whither.’ ”  2 Kings 5:20-27 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  The human author is unknown although some Bible scholars attribute this book to the prophet Jeremiah.  Naaman, the captain of the army of the king of Syria, was a mighty man of valor, but he was a leper.  A captive Israelite maid to his wife said that there was a prophet in Israel who could heal him.  The king gave Naaman a letter for the king of Israel, along with gold and silver, requesting that he heal him. (2 Kings 5:1-5)  When the king of Israel received the letter he was upset, tore his clothes and said, “Am I God?”  When Elisha the man of God heard this, he said bring the man to me.  Naaman went to Elisha’s house and stood at the door.  Elisha sent a messenger to him who told him to go wash in the Jordan seven times and he would be clean. (2 Kings 5:6-10)  Naaman was mad and went away because Elisha did not come out to see him, or call on the name of The Lord, or wave his hand over him.  One of Naaman’s servants told him that if the prophet had told him to go do something great, he would have done it.  So Naaman went to the Jordan and washed seven times as the man of God said and he was healed. (2 Kings 5:11-14)   Naaman returned to Elisha as a believer and offered him a gift but he would not take it.  But Gehazi, servant of Elisha, ran after Naaman to receive the gift for himself saying that his master had sent him.  When Gehazi returned to his master, Elisha asked him where he had gone and he lied and said nowhere.  Elisha knew that he had gone after Naaman and received the gifts, and he cursed him that he and his seed should receive Naaman’s leprosy for life. (2 Kings 5:20-27)   

 

APPLICATION

It is wrong and sinful to tell a lie. (Exodus 20:16 and Colossians 3:9)  It is even worse to lie to a man of God.  That is like lying to God Himself.  The Lord God knows all including the hearts and intentions of man. (Psalm 44:21, Romans 8:27, and 1 John 3:20)  When we try to deceive the man of God, we are asking for the wrath of God to come down upon us.  Remember, the devil is the father of lies (John 8:44) but when we received Christ we became the sons of God. (John 1:12, Romans 8:14, and Galatians 3:26)

 

THE MIRACLES OF ELISHA

PROCLAMATION

“And when Elisha was come into the house, behold, the child was dead, and laid upon his bed … He went in … and prayed unto The Lord … And he went up, and lay upon the child … and he stretched himself upon him … and the child opened his eyes.”  2 Kings 4:32-35 (KJV)

EXPLANATION

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  The human author is unknown although some Bible scholars attribute this book to the prophet Jeremiah.  A certain woman, one of the wives of the sons of the prophets of Elisha, came to him saying that creditors were going to take her sons as bondmen because her husband was dead.  Elisha asked her what did she have and she said nothing but a pot of oil.  He told her to borrow as many vessels as she could.  Then he said for her to use her pot of oil to fill all of the vessels.  Then he told her to take the oil and sell it, and use the money to pay the creditors, and that was exactly what she did. (2 Kings 4:1-7)  When Elisha passed through the town of Shunem, there was a woman there who would feed him bread.  Because he passed by frequently, the woman and her husband set aside a place in their home for him with a bed, a table, a stool, and a candlestick.  Elisha asked the Shunammite woman what he could do for her.  He was told that she did not have a son.  He said that she would have one, and she did. (2 Kings 4:8-17)  Some time later when the child was grown he died.  She took her dead son to the man of God at mount Carmel.  Elisha told his servant Gehazi to take his staff and lay it upon the face of the child.  He did so and nothing happened.  Then Elisha went to the dead child, prayed to God, then laid upon him and the child opened his eyes. (2 Kings 4:18-37)  Elisha went to Gilgal and was sitting with the sons of the prophets.  Someone was cooking a large pot of food.  They went out and gathered herbs and wild vines and put them into the pot.  As they were eating to food from the pot, they cried out there is death in the pot.  Elisha cast some meal into the pot and said that they could eat it and no harm would come to them.  And they ate.  Later there came a man with twenty loaves of barley and corn.  Elisha told him to give it to the men to eat.  The man said this was not enough for the one hundred men.  Elisha told him again to give it to the men for thus saith The Lord they shall eat.  He set it before the men and they all did eat, according to the word of The Lord. (2 Kings 4:38-44)

APPLICATION

The Lord God is all powerful (Matthew 28:18) and He can share His power with whomever He pleases. (Isaiah 40:29, Acts 1:8, Acts 4:33, and Acts 6:8)  The prophets of old were given the power to perform miracles from The Lord God.  The man of God today could also have the power to perform miracles.  If we had sufficient faith in God, faith the size of a grain of mustard seed, we could also perform miracles. (Matthew 17:20 and Luke 17:6)  Our problem is that we have too little faith in God. (Matthew 6:30, 8:26, and 16:8)

 

BE CAREFUL WHO YOU REBEL AGAINST

PROCLAMATION

“But it came to pass, when Ahab was dead, that the king of Moab rebelled against the king of Israel.”  2 Kings 3:5 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  The human author is unknown although some Bible scholars attribute this book to the prophet Jeremiah.  Jehoram the son of Ahab reigned over Israel in Samaria.  He did evil in the sight of The Lord but not like his father did for he put away the image of Baal that his father made. (2 Kings 3:1-3)  After Ahab died, Mesha the king of Moab rebelled against Israel.  Jehoram sent messengers to Jehoshaphat the king of Judah and asked him to join him in battle against Mesha and he agreed. (2 Kings 3:4-7)  They decided to journey to battle through Edom and the king of Edom joined them.  However, seven days into the trip to the battlefield they found that there was no water.  Then Jehoshaphat wanted to seek the advice of a prophet regarding their journey and one of his servants recommended Elisha. (2 Kings 3:8-12)  Initially Elisha wanted nothing to do with them but agreed to help them.  He told them to dig ditches in the valley and wait.  He also told them that The Lord would deliver the Moabites into their hand.  They did so, then offered a sacrifice unto The Lord and the ditches filled with water. (2 Kings 3:13-20)  When the Moabites heard that the three kings had united to fight against them, they gathered and took their position.  In the morning, the sun shown upon the water in the valley and it appeared red as blood and they thought that the three kings had turned on each other.  So, they attacked the Israelite camp but the Israel rose up and smote the Moabites. (2 Kings 3:21-24)  Then the Israelites beat down the cities and destroyed the land.  The king of Moab took seven hundred men with swords and attacked Edom but was defeated.  Then he publicly sacrificed his son as an offering upon the wall and the Israelites departed from him and returned to their own land. (2 Kings 3:25-27)

 

APPLICATION

It is not good to rebel against or fight with the man of God.  If you disagree with the man of God, or do not like him for some reason, it is better for you to walk away, leave him and that church, and go somewhere else.  The Bible says, “Touch not My anointed ones, and do My prophets no harm.” (1 Chronicles 16:22 and Psalm 105:15)  If you cannot obey him and submit to him, then you should go elsewhere because he watches for your soul and must give an account for you.  It is better for you if he can do so joyfully. (Hebrews 13:17)  You do not want to fight with him physically or verbally.  The best thing to do is pray for the man of God.

 

A DOUBLE PORTION OF HIS SPIRIT

PROCLAMATION

“And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, ‘Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee.’  And Elisha said, ‘I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me.’ ”  2 Kings 2:9 (KJV)

EXPLANATION

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  The human author is unknown although some Bible scholars attribute this book to the prophet Jeremiah.  After some time the prophets came to Elisha and told him that on that day The Lord would take his master Elijah away.  He told them that he knew that would happen. (2 Kings 2:1-3)  Later Elijah and Elisha went to Jericho and the prophets there also told Elisha that his master would be taken away.  Elijah told Elisha to wait there but Elisha would not leave him so they both went on to the Jordan river.  There Elijah smote the river with his mantle and the river parted and the two of them crossed over on dry ground. (2 Kings 2:4-8)  Then Elijah said to Elisha what shall I do for thee before I am taken away.  Elisha said he wanted a double portion of his spirit.  Elijah told him that if he sees him after he is taken away then it shall be so.  As they walked on and talked, a chariot of fire with horses of fire appeared and Elijah was taken up in a whirlwind into heaven, and Elisha saw it. (2 Kings 2:9-11)  Elisha cried out to God, tore his clothes, then went and stood by the bank of the Jordan river.  He took the mantle of Elijah and smote the waters of the Jordan and they parted.  After he crossed over the prophets came to him and said the spirit of Elijah was upon him.  The fifty servants that were with them spent three days searching the mountains and valleys for the body of Elijah but could not find it. (2 Kings 2:12-17)  When they came back to Elisha, who stayed in Jericho, they told him so and he said that he had told them not to look for him.  Then they complained about the bitterness of the water in the city.  Elisha told them to bring him a new cruse full of salt which he cast into the spring of the water and The Lord healed the water. (2 Kings 2:18-22)  As Elisha was going to Bethel, some of the children of the town mocked him and called him names.  He turned to them and cursed them in the name of The Lord.  Then two female bears came out of the woods and killed them. (2 Kings 2:23-25)  This is the punishment which God promised the people in His covenant with them if they were hostile towards His prophets. (Leviticus 26:21-22)

APPLICATION

1 Be careful what you ask God for; you just might get it and all that comes along with it.  2 To whom much is given, from him will much be required. (Luke 12:48)  3 We are to use our God-given gifts to be a benefit and a blessing to others. 4 Parents have the responsibility to teach their children to obey the word of God and respect the man of God, or there will be disastrous consequences for the parents and the children.

SHOW RESPECT TO THE MAN OF GOD

PROCLAMATION

“…  And the third captain of fifty went up, and came and fell on his knees before Elijah, and besought him, ‘O man of God, I pray thee, let my life, and the life of these fifty thy servants, be precious in thy sight.  Behold, there came down fire from heaven, and burnt up the two captains of the former fifties with their fifty; therefore let my life be precious in thy sight.’  And the angel of The Lord said unto Elijah, ‘Go down with him; be not afraid of him.’  And he arose, and went down with him unto the king.”  2 Kings 1:13-15 (KJV)

EXPLANATION

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  The human author is unknown although some Bible scholars attribute this book to the prophet Jeremiah.  After the death of Ahab, Ahaziah reigned over Israel in Samaria.  It came to pass that Ahaziah fell through the lattice work in his upper chamber and was injured.  He sent messengers to go and enquire of Baal if he would recover. (2 Kings 1:1-2)  The angel of The Lord said to Elijah, ‘Arise, go meet the messengers of the king … and say … ‘Is it not because there is not a God in Israel, that ye enquire of Baal … therefore thus saith The Lord, Thou shalt not come down from that bed … but shalt surely die.’ ” (2 Kings 1:3-4)  When the messengers returned to the king and gave him the message, he asked them what manner of man told them that.  They described him and the king said it was Elijah.  Then the king sent a captain and fifty men to bring Elijah to him.  When the captain found Elijah he said the king had said come down.  Elijah said to him, “If I be a man of God then let fire come down from heaven and consume thee and thy fifty.”  Fire came down from heaven and consumed them. (2 Kings 1:5-10)  The king sent a second captain with fifty men and the same thing happened to him and his men after he said the king said come down quickly.  Then the king sent a third captain with fifty men, but he spoke respectfully to Elijah, and he went with him to the king. (2 Kings 1:11-15)  Elijah told the king what thus saith The Lord.  And later he died as Elijah had spoken.  Jehoram son of Jehoshaphat king of Judah reigned after Ahaziah died because he did not have a son. (2 Kings 1:16-17)

APPLICATION

We should be very careful how we treat people.  We should treat everyone that we encounter with respect.  It does not matter what their title is, or their position, or their station in life, every human being should be treated with respect.  The Lord God takes it personally when one of His people is mistreated.  Christ said, “… As you have done it unto one of the least of these, My brethren, you have done it unto Me.” (Matthew 25:40)  Do unto others as you would have them to do unto you.  That is the “golden rule” which was taken, paraphrased, from a verse in The Bible, “And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.” (Luke 6:31)

 

DO NOT JOIN FORCES WITH THE DEVIL

PROCLAMATION

“And the king of Israel said unto his servants, ‘Know ye that Ramoth in Gilead is ours, and we be still, and take it not out of the hand of the king of Syria?’  And he said unto Jehoshaphat, ‘Wilt thou go with me to battle to Ramoth-Gilead?’  And Jehoshaphat said to the king, ‘I am as thou art, my people as thy people, my horses as thy horses.’ ”  1 Kings 22:3-4 (KJV)

EXPLANATION

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  The human author is unknown although some Bible scholars attribute this book to the prophet Jeremiah.  And it came to pass that after three years without war between Syria and Israel, Jehoshaphat, the of king Judah, went to Ahab, the king of Israel.  Ahab said to Jehoshaphat, “You know that Ramoth in Gilead is ours?”  Then Ahab asked Jehoshaphat if he would join him and go into battle for it. (1 Kings 22:1-4)  It should be noted that Jehoshaphat followed in the ways of The Lord but Ahab did evil in the sight of The Lord.  Upon hearing Ahab’s request, Jehoshaphat asked if there was a word from The Lord.  The king of Israel consulted the elders regarding if he should do battle.  Then Jehoshaphat asked if there was a prophet available that they could consult.  There was one, Micaiah son of Imiah, and they summoned him. (1 Kings 22:5-9)  Micaiah said, “Go, and prosper; for The Lord shall deliver it into the hand of the king.”  Ahab did not like Micaiah because he did not prophesy good things for him.  Now Micaiah says that The Lord would deliver Ramoth to them but that Ahab would die during the battle. (1 Kings 22:13-20)  Ahab had Micaiah taken and put in prison.  Then Ahab and Jehoshaphat went up to take Ramoth.  During the battle Ahab was wounded and died as his blood ran out into his chariot.  When his chariot was washed out, the dogs licked up his blood thus fulfilling prophecy. (1 Kings 22:38)  Jehoshaphat was thirty-five years old when he began his as king and he reigned for twenty-five years.  He walked in the ways of his father Asa and he did that which was right in the eyes of The Lord.  After Jehoshaphat died, his son Jehoram reigned over Judah.  When Ahab died, his son  Ahaziah reigned over Israel in Samaria.  Ahaziah did evil in the sight of The Lord as his father Ahab and grandfather Jeroboam had done before him.  He worshipped Baal and provoked the anger of The Lord God of Israel. (1 Kings 22:50-53)

APPLICATION

There is an old saying that war can make strange bedfellows.  People with very little in common will come together to fight a common enemy.  However, to those on the outside, a different old saying may be appropriate.  “Birds of a feather flock together.”  The Bible says, “How can two walk together unless they agree.” (Amos 3:3)  We cannot walk with The Lord and hold hands with the devil.  Christians should not make an agreement with the devil to get what we want.  If praying to God will not get it for us, then maybe we were not supposed to have it.  When God closes doors, no man should try to open them.

THOU SHALT NOT COVET ANYTHING OF THY NEIGHBOR

PROCLAMATION

“And it came to pass, when Jezebel heard that Naboth was stoned, and was dead, that Jezebel said to Ahab, ‘Arise, take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, which he refused to give thee for money; for Naboth is not alive, but dead.’ ”  1 Kings 21:15 (KJV)

EXPLANATION

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  The human author is unknown although some Bible scholars attribute this book to the prophet Jeremiah.  And it came to pass that Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard near the palace of Ahab king of Samaria.  Ahab wanted the vineyard but Naboth would not give or sell it to him because it was his family inheritance. (1 Kings 21:1-3)  Ahab was displeased and would not eat because Naboth would not give him the vineyard.  His wife Jezebel saw him in his despair and told him to eat, and that she would get the vineyard for him.  Jezebel wrote letters in Ahab’s name to the elders and the nobles of the city regarding Naboth, sealed them, and sent the letters to them.  The letters falsely accused Naboth of blaspheme to God and the king, and he was stoned to death. (1 Kings 21:4-13)  After they sent word to Jezebel that Naboth had been stoned and was dead, she told Ahab and said that he could possess the vineyard.  Then The Lord came to Elijah telling him all of this, and told him to go and speak to Ahab.  Elijah went to Ahab and told him that The Lord said that in the same place where the dogs licked the blood of Naboth, shall dogs also lick his blood. (1 Kings 21:14-19)  The Lord also said that He would kill all males, slave and free, in Israel.  He would destroy Ahab’s house as He had done to the house of Jeroboam and the house of Baasha for their sins.  The Lord said that dogs would also eat the body of Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel.  All that die in the city the dogs and the fowl of the air would eat. (1 Kings 21:20-26)  When Ahab heard these words he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth, and fasted.  The Lord told Elijah that because he had humbled himself, that He would not bring the evil punishment upon him during his lifetime.  However, He would bring it upon his household during his son’s days. (1 Kings 21:27-29)

APPLICATION

It is a sin to covet that which belongs to your neighbor.  That was forbidden in the ten commandments. (Exodus 20:17)  It is even worse to lie on your neighbor, and to have him killed so that you could possess his property, as Ahab’s wife Jezebel did here.  Our personal greed will usually lead us to more sins.  Like the Apostle Paul, we need to learn to be happy with that which we have, (Philippians 4:11-12) and to thank God for it.  Unfortunately, we tend to ask The Lord God to give us more when we have not thanked Him for the blessings which He has already given to us.  For those of us who love Him and obey His Holy Word, God will bless us to enjoy the fruit of the labor of our hands. (Psalm 128:2)

DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE THE LORD GOD

PROCLAMATION

“And there came a man of God, and spake unto the king of Israel, and said, ‘Thus saith The Lord, Because the Syrians have said, The Lord is God of the hills, but He is not God of the valleys, therefore will I deliver all this great multitude into thine hand, and ye shall know that I am The Lord.’ ”  1 Kings 20:28 (KJV)

EXPLANATION

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  The human author is unknown although some Bible scholars attribute this book to the prophet Jeremiah.  Ben-hadad king of Syria gather together all of his host and there were thirty-two kings with him.  They made war against Samaria and sieged it.  Then they sent messengers to Ahab king of Israel saying that all of their gold and silver, and their wives and children, belonged to Ben-hadad. (1 Kings 20:1-3)  Initially Ahab agreed all that he had belonged to Ben-hadad but he changed his mind after he consulted with the elders of Israel.  Ben-hadad told his men to make ready for war against Israel.  About that time a prophet came to Ahab and asked him had he not seen the multitude of the Syrian army?  Then the prophet told him that The Lord would give victory over the Syrians to his young men. (1 Kings 20:4-15)  The two hundred and thirty-two young men of Israel slaughtered the Syrian army which vastly outnumbered them.  Ben-hadad fled along with some of his horsemen but a large number of the Syrians, horses and chariots, were slaughtered. (1 Kings 15-21)  The prophet told Ahad to go and strengthen himself for the Syrians would attack him again the next year.  The Syrians regroup and reorganized and planned to attack the Israelites in the plains instead of in the hills.  The man of God came to Ahab and said because the Syrians have said that The Lord is God of the hills and not of the valleys, He will deliver them into your hand so that they will know that He is Lord. (1 Kings 20:22-28)  When they fought, the Israelites slew one hundred thousand Syrians in one day.  The rest of the Syrians, about twenty-seven thousand, fled to the city of Aphek where a wall fell upon them.  Ben-hadad fled into the city into an inner chamber.  His servants suggested that they surrender and throw themselves on Ahab’s mercy. (1 Kings 20:29-31)  Ben-hadad did as they said and Ahab let him live, and even made a covenant with him.  Because he did not utterly destroy Ben-hadad as had been appointed, The Lord said Ahab and Israel would suffer instead. (1 Kings 20:32-43)

APPLICATION

It is not a good idea to underestimate The Lord God.  He is all-knowing, (1 John 3:20) and all-powerful, (Matthew 28:18) and He is everywhere, in the hills and valleys, all at the same time. (Psalm 139:8)  We will be victorious when we are with Him, even when our enemy has us outnumbered.  We just need to believe, have faith, and follow His commands.  When we win and all is well, we still need to obey His Holy Word.

 

THE LORD GOD HAS A PLAN

PROCLAMATION

“The Lord God said unto him, ‘Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus.  And when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael to be king over Syria.  And Jehu the son of Nimshi you shall anoint to be king over Israel, and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah you shall anoint to be prophet in your place.’ ”  1 Kings 19:15-16 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  The human author is unknown although some Bible scholars attribute this book to the prophet Jeremiah.  King Ahab told his wife Jezebel what the prophet Elijah had done with the sacrifice and how he killed all of the prophets of Baal with a sword.  Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah to tell him that she was going to do the same thing to him.  Elijah feared for his life and ran away to Beersheba and hid in the wilderness.  Things were so bad he even wished that he could die. (1 Kings 19:1-4)  He went to sleep under a tree and was awaken by an angel who told him to eat and drink.  There was bread and water near his head and he did eat.  Afterwards he went back to sleep and the angel woke him up again and told him to eat.  Then he walked for forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mount of God. (1 Kings 19:5-8)  There he found a cave and lodged in it.  The word of The Lord came to him asking, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”  He answered that the people have forsaken His covenant and killed His prophets.  He said that he was the only one left and they wanted to kill him. (1 Kings 19:9-11)  The Lord God told him, “Go, return … to the wilderness of Damascus and when you arrive anoint Hazael king over Syria, and anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel.  Then you shall anoint Elisha to be the prophet in your place.” (1 Kings 19:14-16)  The Lord God also told Elijah that he was not the only one left, and that He had seven thousand men in Israel who had not bowed to Baal. (1 Kings 19:18)  Elijah left there and found Elisha plowing the field.  Elijah passed by Elisha and cast his cloak upon him.  After they ate, Elisha followed Elijah and assisted him. (1 Kings 19:19-21)

 

APPLICATION

When things go bad for us, we often think that we are all alone.  At times some of us even wish that we were never born or dead.  We should not rely on our own limited understanding and knowledge. (Proverbs 3:5)  What we don’t understand is that God has a purpose and a plan, things happen for a reason, and that all things will work out for our good. (Romans 8:28)  If we put our trust in The Lord God, we will endure. (2 Chronicles 20:20)