Kings 3:1-3 A Real Believer in Jehovah?

“Now Jehoram the son of Ahab became king over Israel at Samaria in the eighteenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, and reigned twelve years. And he did evil in the sight of the Lord, but not like his father and mother; for he put away the sacred pillar of Baal that his father had made. Nevertheless he persisted in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who had made Israel sin; he did not depart from them.” ‭‭II Kings‬ ‭3‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

a. Now Jehoram the son of Ahab became king over Israel: Jehoram came from a family that was far beyond dysfunctional. His father Ahab was one of the worst kings the Northern Kingdom of Israel ever knew and his mother Jezebel was certainly the worst queen Israel ever knew.

b. But not like his father and mother: Jehoram was better than his father and mother, but he was still a wicked man. He was the ninth consecutive bad king over the Northern Kingdom, which never had a godly king.

i. “The ‘sins of Jeroboam’ that Jehoram perpetuated were not related to the worship of Baal but to the false worship of Yahweh under the calf (or ox) images that Jeroboam set up in Dan and Bethel. This was primarily a political strategy rather than a religious one.” (Dilday)

ii. “He appears to have been, in spiritual matters, one of those undecided, neutral characters, who puzzle most observers, and who never seem to know themselves just where they stand, or belong. He put away the Baal statue, made by his father Ahab, but never became a real believer in Jehovah.” (Knapp)

iii. Poole believed that Jehoram put away Baal worship out of bad motives – either because he was frightened when he remembered the judgment that came against his father Ahab and his brother Ahaziah, or because he wanted to impress Jehoshaphat so the Judean king would agree to an alliance. Elisha wasn’t impressed with Jehoram’s putting away of Baal (2 Kings 3:13).

(Guzik)

A Real Believer in Jehovah?

For years we have attended bible teaching churches and one thing that they both have in common is the pastors preach that just because you attend our church and believe in God doesn’t mean you will go to heaven. 

Without Jesus there is no way to God. 

Some people can’t comprehend that, but the bible is clear.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

‭‭John‬ ‭3‬:‭16‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” ‭‭John‬ ‭14‬:‭6‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Jehovah-God sent His Son to be a sacrifice for our sins. If you reject Jesus you are rejecting God’s plan for Salvation. John the Baptist said when he saw Jesus, “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”

‭‭John‬ ‭1‬:‭29‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Is your name written in the Lamb’s Book of Life?

Blessings 

Lambs Book of Life!

2 Kings 2:23-25 Go Up, You Baldhead!

 “Then he went up from there to Bethel; and as he was going up the road, some youths came from the city and mocked him, and said to him, “Go up, you baldhead! Go up, you baldhead!” So he turned around and looked at them, and pronounced a curse on them in the name of the Lord. And two female bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the youths. Then he went from there to Mount Carmel, and from there he returned to Samaria.” ‭‭II Kings‬ ‭2‬:‭23‬-‭25‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

 

a. Some youths came from the city and mocked him: The ancient Hebrew word translated youths here means young men in a very broad sense. This term applied to Joseph when he was 30 (Genesis 41:46), to Absalom as an adult (2 Samuel 14:21, 18:5), and to Solomon when he was 20 (1 Kings 3:7).

i. These youths were from Bethel, and their mocking presence shows the continuing opposition to a true prophet in Bethel, the chief center of pagan calf-worship.” (Wiseman)

b. Go up, you baldhead: This both mocked Elisha because of his apparent baldness, and because of his connection with the prophet Elijah. The idea behind the words, “Go up” was that Elisha should go up to heaven like Elijah did. It mocked Elisha, his mentor Elijah, and the God they served.

i. “Go up; go up into heaven, whither thou pretendest that Elijah is gone. Why didst not thou accompany thy friend and master into heaven? Oh that the same Spirit would take thee up also, that thou mightest not trouble us nor our Israel, as Elijah did!” (Poole)

ii. “The lack of hair was not a result of old age; since he lived about fifty years after this incident, he was at the time a relatively young man. Elisha’s baldness must have been in striking contrast to Elijah’s hairy appearance.” (Dilday)

c. So he turned around and looked at them, and pronounced a curse on them in the name of the LORD: Elisha knew these young men mocked his ministry, Elijah’s ministry, and the God they both faithfully served. Yet he left any correction up to God by pronouncing a curse on them in the name of the LORD.

d. Two female bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the youths: In response to the curse of Elisha, God sent two female bears and they mauled(literally, cut up) the young men.

i. “Bears are attested in the hill ranges until mediaeval times.” (Wiseman)

ii. “Since forty-two of the boys were struck by the bears, the group may have been quite large and therefore dangerously out of control. Elisha may have needed miraculous intervention to escape.” (Dilday)

iii. “Verse 24 does not say that the victims were killed. The Hebrew word translated ‘mauled’ might indicate less serious injuries. The ultimate outcome of the miracle was to break up the gang, frighten the offenders and the entire village.” (Dilday)

(Guzik)

Go Up, You Baldhead!

I’ve always loved these verses! I guess you have to have a bald head to appreciate them! 

Is this the first ever recorded teen takeover? Nothing a couple female bears couldn’t handle, lol!

I’m reminded of a verse!

“But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭12‬:‭7‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Some have more than others and it’s good to know that the Lord has numbered the very hairs that I have left and that I am of more value than many sparrows!

If you see me walking by just don’t yell, go up, you baldhead! Because you never know, a couple female bears may suddenly appear?

Blessings!

2 Kings 2:19-22 Salt of the Spirit!

“Then the men of the city said to Elisha, “Please notice, the situation of this city is pleasant, as my Lord sees; but the water is bad, and the ground barren.” And he said, “Bring me a new bowl, and put salt in it.” So they brought it to him. Then he went out to the source of the water, and cast in the salt there, and said, “Thus says the Lord: ‘I have healed this water; from it there shall be no more death or barrenness.’ ” So the water remains healed to this day, according to the word of Elisha which he spoke.” II Kings‬ ‭2‬:‭19‬-‭22‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

a. The water is bad, and the ground barren: At this time Jericho had a poor water supply. This made agriculture impossible and life very difficult.

b. Thus says the LORD: “I have healed this water; from it there shall be no more death or barrenness”: The miracle did not happen because Elisha wanted to impress others or because he thought it would be good to do it. This was a work of the LORD, and it was a word from the LORD that announced the healing of the water.

i. “If God casteth into our hearts but one cruseful of the salt of his Spirit, we are whole.” (Trapp)

(Guzik)

Salt of the Spirit!

“Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.” ‭‭Colossians‬ ‭4‬:‭6‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

 ““You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭13‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

The Bible has a lot to say about salt! Attached is an interesting study of the salt of the Spirit and the salt in you.

Blessings 

Salt of the Spirit

2 Kings 2:16-18 Do Not Go!

 “Then they said to him, “Look now, there are fifty strong men with your servants. Please let them go and search for your master, lest perhaps the Spirit of the Lord has taken him up and cast him upon some mountain or into some valley.” And he said, “You shall not send anyone.” But when they urged him till he was ashamed, he said, “Send them!” Therefore they sent fifty men, and they searched for three days but did not find him. And when they came back to him, for he had stayed in Jericho, he said to them, “Did I not say to you, ‘Do not go’?”” ‭‭II Kings‬ ‭2‬:‭16‬-‭18‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

a. Please let them go and search for your master: The sons of the prophets wondered if the chariot of fire had not merely taken Elijah to another place in Israel. Elisha knew that it had carried him to heaven, so he was hesitant to give permission for what he knew would be a futile mission.

b. Did I not say to you, “Do not go”: Elisha knew that the mission would be futile and it was. Elijah was carried up to heaven, not some other place on this earth. (Guzik)

Do Not Go!

Reminds me of a song, Mama Told Me Not to Come. About a wild party and a mother's warning. If we receive a do not go from God, a prophet or a mother we should take heed!

I wish I had listened to the do not go’s that I received, what about you?

Blessings 

2 Kings 2:14-15 Jehovah is Present!

 “Then he took the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him, and struck the water, and said, “Where is the Lord God of Elijah?” And when he also had struck the water, it was divided this way and that; and Elisha crossed over. Now when the sons of the prophets who were from Jericho saw him, they said, “The spirit of Elijah rests on Elisha.” And they came to meet him, and bowed to the ground before him.” ‭‭II Kings‬ ‭2‬:‭14‬-‭15‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

a. Where is the LORD God of Elijah: Elisha knew that the power in prophetic ministry did not rest in mantles or fiery chariots. It rested in the presence and work of the Living God. If the LORD God of Elijah were also with Elisha, then he would inherit the same power and direction of ministry.

i. This was a great question to ask. If God expected Elisha to continue on the ministry of Elijah, then He must be present for the junior prophet in the same ways He was for the senior prophet. It was as if Elisha could have asked the question more specifically:

· Where is the God who kept Elijah faithful when the whole nation turned from God?

· Where is the God who mightily answered prayer from Elijah?

· Where is the God who provided miraculously for Elijah?

· Where is the God who raised the dead through Elijah?

· Where is the God who answers prayer by sending fire from heaven?

· Where is the God who encouraged the discouraged prophet?

· Where is the God who carried Elijah away into heaven?

b. When he also struck the water, it was divided: This shows that Elisha immediately had the same power in ministry that Elijah had. He went back over a divided Jordan River the same way that he and Elijah first came over the river.

i. “And when you have got their mantle, do not waste precious time in lamentations about them any more; get to your business. There is a river in your way; what then? Well, go to the Jordan as the prophet Elisha did, and try to pass it. Say not, ‘Where is Elijah?’ but ‘Where is the Lord God of Elijah?’ Elijah is gone, but his God is not; Elijah has gone away, but Jehovah is present, still.” (Spurgeon)

c. The spirit of Elijah rests on Elisha: The succession of Elisha to the power and office of Elijah was apparent to others. Elisha didn’t need to persuade or convince them of this with words. God’s blessing on his actions was enough to prove it. (Guzik)

Jehovah Is Present!

Can people tell by your actions that you are a Christian, one who follows Christ? Don’t let Spurgeon’s quote escape you!

“God’s blessing on his actions was enough to prove it.” 

People should see the light of Jesus in you!

“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭14‬-‭16‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Do you let your light shine before men?

Blessings 

2 Kings 2:11-13 He Had To Decide!

 “Then it happened, as they continued on and talked, that suddenly a chariot of fire appeared with horses of fire, and separated the two of them; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. And Elisha saw it, and he cried out, “My father, my father, the chariot of Israel and its horsemen!” So he saw him no more. And he took hold of his own clothes and tore them into two pieces. He also took up the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him, and went back and stood by the bank of the Jordan.” ‭‭II Kings‬ ‭2‬:‭11‬-‭13‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

a. As they continued on and talked: “What sublime themes must have engaged them, standing as they did on the very confines of heaven, and in the vestibule of eternity! The apostasy of Israel and its approaching doom; the ministry just closing, with its solemn warnings; the outlook towards the work upon which Elisha was preparing to enter – these and cognate subjects must have occupied them.” (Meyer)

b. Suddenly a chariot of fire appeared with horses of fire, and separated the two of them; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven: This was a strange and unique miracle. As the two prophets walked, some fiery object separated the two of them and then carried Elijah up to heaven.

i. “It was meet that a whirlwind-man should sweep to heaven in the very element of his life… What a contrast to the gentle upward motion of the ascending Saviour!” (Meyer)

ii. “Elijah was taken up to heaven in the whirlwind, not in the chariot of fire and horses of fire which merely ‘came between the two of them’ (Hebrew) and cut him off from human sight. These chariots and horsemen symbolized strong protection as well as the forces of God’s spiritual presence which were the true safety of Israel.” (Wiseman)

c. My father, my father, the chariot of Israel and its horsemen: With these words Elisha recognized the true strength of Israel. “Elisha saw that the strength of Israel had been that of the presence of the prophet of God. It is more than a coincidence that when presently Elisha himself passed away, Joash, the reigning king, uttered the same exclamation (2 Kings13:14).” (Morgan)

i. “Who by thy example, and counsels, and prayers, and power with God, didst more for the defence and preservation of Israel, than all their chariots and horses, or other warlike provisions.” (Poole)

ii. This was the end of a remarkable ministry, one that was in many ways similar to the ministry of Moses. Both Moses and Elijah:

· Stood alone for righteousness.

· Were associated with fire upon mountains.

· Were associated with the desert.

· Met God on Sinai.

· Were chased out of their countries by pagan rulers.

· Knew God’s miraculous provision for food and water.

· Wandered in the desert for a period measured by 40.

· Fasted for 40 days.

· Were powerful examples of praying men.

· Parted waters.

· Had close associates who succeeded them.

· Had successors who parted waters also.

· Had mysterious or strange deaths.

d. And Elisha saw it: This fulfilled the requirement mentioned in 2 Kings 2:10. Elisha would indeed inherit the prophetic ministry of Elijah. Yet Elisha wasn’t happy when this happened; he took hold of his own clothes and tore them into two pieces as an expression of deep mourning.

e. He also took up the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him: Since the mantle was the special mark of a prophet, this was a demonstration of the truth that Elisha truly had inherited the ministry of Elijah.

i. Think of what it was like for Elisha to pick up that mantle. The mantle did not fall from heaven and rest on his shoulders; he had to decide to pick it up and put it on. He had to decide: Do I really want to put this on? Elijah’s ministry was one of great power, but also of great pressure and responsibility. (Guzik)

He Had To Decide!

Elisha had to decide to accept and pick up the mantle of Elijah’s ministry.

God gave us free will and like Elisha we have to decide to accept the grace and mercy Jesus gave us on the cross, to accept Him as our Lord and Savior.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

‭‭John‬ ‭3‬:‭16‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

I remember the day and location I had to decide, and it became my spiritual birthday! 

“Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’”

‭‭John‬ ‭3‬:‭7‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

What about you?

Blessings