King Jehoahaz of Israel
King Joash of Israel
Elisha passed away.
22-25: Israel goes to war with Syria.
1, King Jehoahaz of Israel (1-9)
Why is the anger of the Lord burning against Israel?
Jehoahaz did evil in the eyes of the Lord and walked in the ways of Jeroboam son of Nebat, causing Israel to sin. He never left it. Therefore, God has repeatedly delivered them into the hands of the Arameans to discipline them and turn them back. God's anger and discipline are due to his love for his people. It is recorded in the Bible: Isaiah 56:7 "I will lead them to my holy mountain and make them rejoice in the temple where I pray. Their burnt offerings and peace offerings will be acceptable on my altar, for my house will be called the house of prayer for all peoples. God's eagerness for his people was rewarded by his people working in the temple, so Jesus was so anxious that he knocked down the table for changing money and drove out the cattle, sheep and pigeons. We should know and appreciate God's single-minded love for us, and even discipline is a blessing to us, because God makes us suffer in order to learn his statutes.
B, Jehoahaz begged, and God answered (4-5)
Because Jehoahaz was oppressed by the king of Syria, he prayed to God, and he answered. Because he couldn't bear to see his people oppressed by the enemy, he raised a savior to save their suffering, so the Israelites still lived at home. Let's see that we are oppressed and suffering because we have sinned against God, but no matter how much we have sinned against God and how fragile we are, as long as we ask God for help, he will certainly save us with his powerful hand and outstretched arm, so that we can still live in Jesus Christ and give us great hope and comfort. This is God's love and mercy! Because no one can condemn us, but Jesus died for our sins and rose from the dead. Nothing can separate us from God's love. As long as we pray to God, he will answer us!
C, continue to commit crimes after settling down, and be punished (6-7)
Soon after people settled down in their homes, they did not repent or be grateful. They continued to worship the golden calf and the Asherah, provoking God to anger and handing them over to the Arameans, where they were trampled and destroyed the people of Jehoahaz, leaving only fifty cavalry, ten chariots and ten thousand infantry. Even God's judgment can't cross the boundary of Jehovah, leaving a remnant for Israel. The devil may not go beyond God's command and test Job again and again, but after all, he will listen to God and let Job live. God is a god with boundaries, and as human beings, we should also have boundaries. Nothing can cross the boundaries of God. Saul was abolished because he crossed the line between the king and the priest.
The country of Israel is often the scene of our life. We have made changes, made changes, committed crimes, and even covered in scars unconsciously. But as long as we sincerely ask for help, God will respond to us. Isa 30: 15 The Lord, the Holy One of Israel, once said that your salvation lies in returning to rest, and your strength lies in peace and stability. We must listen.
2. King Joash of Israel (10-25)
He did evil in the eyes of the Lord. He did not depart from all the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, who made Israel sin, but walked in them.
B King Ahab in the north made peace with King Jehoshaphat in the south, until Joash in the north, the friendship between the north and the south broke down, and he began to fight with Amaziah in the south (12).
C. When Joash went to see Elisha, the man of God told him to shoot an arrow at the east window, so he laid his hand on his hand and said, This is the arrow of victory for the Lord, an arrow to repel and destroy the enemy. The man of god pointed out the direction for him, but he didn't understand the intention of the man of god at this time and was blinded by oil. He didn't wait for the man of god to stop, but fired three shots at will, so he could only repel the enemy three times and lost the opportunity to completely break the enemy. We must be firm, understand God's word, never back down, never stop, and move in the direction set by God, otherwise we will lose many heavenly blessings. Our arrow of victory lies in union with Christ. If we unite with him in the shape of his death, we will unite with him in the shape of his resurrection. (Rom。 6:5) Every move has a new style, because he who is United with the Lord is one spirit with the Lord (Cor. 1. 6: 17). He who kills physical evil by the Holy Spirit will live again. (Rom。 8: 13) This is the secret of our victory!
During the reign of Jehoahaz, he abandoned God, and Hazael king of Syria oppressed Israel many times. However, because of his covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the Lord still showed kindness, compassion and care for Israel. He refused to completely destroy them, nor did he drive them away from his face. (22-23)
The Israelites have betrayed God again and again, but God still treats them with love and compassion, and has always made a firm Covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (many times, the kingdom came out of you and the king came out of you, which is your eternal Covenant from generation to generation, and the blessing is great. When your children increase, your children will get the door of the enemy, and all peoples will want you to be blessed. Today, God also makes a covenant with us. The new testament made with the precious blood of Jesus, as long as you believe in Jesus, you can be saved forever and become the son of the living God! God loves Israel and we outsiders! Will also strengthen his Covenant with us!
F, fulfilled Elisha's prophecy, defeated the Aramaic army three times, occupied some cities and recovered lost land. (24-25) The peripheral cities have been recovered. We should get back what we have lost in our hearts, and we should not always let sin miss our lives. Pro 16:32 He who is not easily angry is better than a warrior. It is better to conquer your own heart than to occupy a city. Therefore, we should put the old self to death, let the unpredictable richness of Christ flow in us, and get back what is occupied by the enemy (not releasing, worrying, etc. ).
3. Elisha passed away (14-20)
A. Elisha is ill (14a): It is God's arrangement and God's kindness to take him away. So don't convict a person just because he is ill, or because of a disaster, etc. For example, Job's illness was caused by the devil's temptation, Paul's thorn was to make him proud, Timothy had a bad stomach, and so on. We can't fall down because of other people's weaknesses, let alone trip them.
It's called: My father, my father, Israel's chariots and horsemen. ( 14b)
When Eleazar sent Elijah away, he said, My father, my father, the chariots and horsemen of Israel. Joash said the same thing when he saw Elisha. It can be seen that the influence of Elijah and Elisha at that time was not only in Israel, but in all other countries. We Christians also have such influence.
C, finish the final mission on earth, and think of the Israelites who belong to God before dying. Teach King Joash of Israel how to fight.
D. Someone was burying the dead. Suddenly he saw a group of people, so he threw the dead into Elisha's grave. As soon as he touched Elisha's bones, the dead man rose to his feet. (2 1)
Elisha's bones can revive the dead, which shows his life degree and influence. So do Paul and Peter. Others can be cured by taking their belts or seeing their shadows. Today, we are also used by God to preach the gospel to the "dead" so that those who are dying can live through Jesus Christ. John 1 1:25-26 Jesus said, "The resurrection is in me, and the life is in me; Those who believe in me, though dead, will rise again. Whoever lives and believes in me will never die. " Can you believe it? We believe and live. Even if we die physically on the ground, the Lord will resurrect us at the end of the day!
Elisha's life was a life of toil and war. He has served the king of Israel for generations. As Paul said, I have fought a good battle. 4:7-8, I ran all the way and stuck to my faith. Since then, a crown of righteousness has been reserved for me, which the righteous judge will give me on that day, not only for me, but also for all those who love his appearance. May we be able to fight and win like them all our lives! There will be a crown of glory after the day God has set for us in the world!