“But the angel of the Lord said to Elijah the Tishbite, “Arise, go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria, and say to them, ‘Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going to inquire of Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron?’ Now therefore, thus says the Lord: ‘You shall not come down from the bed to which you have gone up, but you shall surely die.’ ” So Elijah departed.”
II Kings 1:3-4 NKJV
a. Is it because there is no God in Israel: There is little doubt that King Ahaziah believed that Yahweh lived, but he lived as if there were no God in Israel. He was a practical atheist, and the way he sought Baal-Zebub instead of the LORD demonstrated this.
b. You shall not come down from the bed to which you have gone up, but you shall surely die: Ahaziah did not seek help from the real God; therefore he will get no real help. Instead this will be an occasion for the real God to send a message of judgment to King Ahaziah.
i. According to Wiseman, when ancients sought their gods about medical issues, “The result was usually given in medical prognostic texts as ‘he will live/die’ as in verses 6, 16 (you will certainly die).” This means that Elijah’s words but you shall surely diewere phrased as a medical diagnosis. It was as if Elijah said, “Here’s your diagnosis, Ahaziah: Your condition is fatal and irreversible.”
ii. In fact, this was a mercy to Ahaziah. God told him something that few people know. His death was imminent, and he had time to repent and prepare to meet God.
iii. This prophetic announcement might also explain why Ahaziah did not want to seek an answer from the LORD: He knew what the answer would be. In seeking Baal-Zebub for an answer, Ahaziah may have wanted to find a god to tell him what he wanted to hear. (Guzik)
The Real God!
Let’s face it, one out of one person dies! Ahaziah received a message from Elijah and knew death was imminent! So why didn’t he repent while he still was alive and breathing? God only knows. There are examples in the bible of this occurring and the Lord forgave them!
“In those days Hezekiah was sick and near death. And Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, went to him and said to him, “Thus says the Lord: ‘Set your house in order, for you shall die and not live.’ ” Then Hezekiah turned his face toward the wall, and prayed to the Lord, and said, “Remember now, O Lord, I pray, how I have walked before You in truth and with a loyal heart, and have done what is good in Your sight.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly. “Go and tell Hezekiah, ‘Thus says the Lord, the God of David your father: “I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; surely I will add to your days fifteen years.” Isaiah 38:1-3, 5 NKJV
This is all the Lord God wants from us, a repentant heart ❤️, to turn from our sinful ways and to seek Him.
Father, please forgive our trespasses and give us the loving heart of Jesus. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray, amen.
Blessings
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