The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People.
Read God’s Word:
2 Kings 1-4
Act 2: God’s Covenant People
Scene 6:Kings and Prophets: God divides the kingdom people.
Background Information: 2 Kings 1-4
Ahaziah sent messengers to the false god Baal to bring back some good news regarding his injury. The author mockingly calls him Baal-Zebub (Lord of the Flies) rather than Baal-Zebul (Prince Baal). God sends Elijah with a message to meet the entourage, and the news is not good. The King doesn’t like this news, so he thinks he can compel the prophet by force to come to him and presumably change his message. This ends up badly for two groups of soldiers. Perhaps Elijah’s life was in danger, and this was the Lord’s protection. But even if this was so, it was to demonstrate to the King who was truly in control.
If you map the journey of Elijah and Elisha, it highlights the key cities of Israel’s entrance to the promised land. The author is showcasing these two men’s special roles in the history of Israel. They mark the rise of the prophet to correspond to the fall of the king. Moses was God’s man to deliver the covenant, and Elijah was God’s man to keep the covenant alive. Both Moses and Elijah have mysterious and miraculous ends to their lives. Both will visit Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration (Matthew 17:3). Even as Elijah was the second Moses, Elisha is seen to be the second Joshua. When Elisha cries out, “My father, my father, the chariots and horsemen of Israel!” he is verbalizing that Elijah was the human symbol of God’s mighty power among his people. Now it is on him to keep the Covenant alive in a world of aggressive opposition to the truth. The stories that follow are given as signs pointing to something greater than themselves. Don’t get caught up in the fantastic nature of these events, but remember that they point to the one true God who has called this man Elisha as a light in the darkness. With this in mind, we read the story of the youths that mocked Elisha. They were likely young men, not children, and there was a large group of them threatening the prophet. Forty-two of the larger group were mauled by bears, not because they mocked Elisha’s appearance, but because they were mocking God, whom Elisha represented. Perhaps they were a group of Baal devotees who were threatening his life. “Go up” likely refers to the way his master was taken from this life. Maybe they intended to “send him up!” All who follow Christ are called to speak truth to lies and to be light in the darkness. We should not be surprised when this brings opposition; in fact, opposition is promised.
“In fact, all who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”
2 Timothy 3:12
Pray:
Praise God for…
Thank God for…
Confess your sins to God
Ask God to convict those who are lost of their sin and need for salvation. Ask him to give you opportunities to share the gospel.
Ask God for… (what else concerns you?)
Reflect:
Write down one passage of scripture that stood out to you today.
Write down why this passage stood out to you.
Engage Community:
Text or call someone now and tell them…
– What you are praying for.
– What stood out from God’s word today.