Burunche’s Blog

2 Kings 6:8 – 23 “Now the king of Aram (Syria) was at war against Israel. After consulting with his servants, he said, “My camp will be in such and such a place.”

Then the man of God sent word to the king of Israel: “Be careful passing by this place, for the Arameans are going down there.” So the king of Israel sent word to the place the man of God had pointed out. Time and again Elisha warned the king, so that he was on his guard in such places. For this reason the king of Aram became enraged and called his servants to demand of them, “Tell me, which one of us is on the side of the king of Israel?”

But one of his servants replied, “No one, my lord the king. For Elisha, the prophet in Israel, tells the king of Israel the very words you speak in your bedroom.” So the king said, “Go and see where he is, that I may send men to capture him.”

On receiving the report, “Elisha is in Dothan,” the king of Aram sent horses, chariots, and a great army. They went there by night and surrounded the city.

When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early in the morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. So he asked Elisha, “Oh, my master, what are we to do?” “Do not be afraid,” Elisha answered, “for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”

Then Elisha prayed, “O LORD, please open his eyes that he may see.”

And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw that the hills were full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

As the Arameans came down against him, Elisha prayed to the LORD, “Please strike these people with blindness.” So He struck them with blindness, according to the word of Elisha.

And Elisha told them, “This is not the way, and this is not the city. Follow me, and I will take you to the man you are seeking.” And he led them to Samaria. When they had entered Samaria, Elisha said, “O LORD, open the eyes of these men that they may see.”

Then the LORD opened their eyes, and they looked around and discovered that they were in Samaria.

And when the king of Israel saw them, he asked Elisha, “My father, shall I kill them? Shall I kill them?”

“Do not kill them,” he replied. “Would you kill those you have captured with your own sword or bow? Set food and water before them, that they may eat and drink and then return to their master.”

So the king prepared a great feast for them, and after they had finished eating and drinking, he sent them away, and they returned to their master. And the Aramean raiders did not come into the land of Israel again.”

The king of Aram (Syria) is frustrated beyond belief! A crack team of Syrian warriors has been cleverly setting up ambushes to catch the king of Israel and yet every time the Syrians go into hiding in a new location, the king of Israel finds out about it and avoids them. The king of Syria can’t understand this and is certain there must be an Israelite informer among his troops. But there’s no spy among the Syrian forces; instead, God is showing Elisha where the Syrians are lying in wait so that Elisha can warn the king of Israel.

The king of Syria decides to eliminate Elisha and sends an enormous army to surround the city of Dothan in the northern Samarian hills, where Elisha and his servant are staying. When Elisha’s servant wakes up and sees the Syrians, he panics! Nobody ever told this young man that working for a prophet could be so dangerous. But Elisha sees the situation with the eyes of faith. “Do not be afraid,” Elisha answered, “for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”

Then Elisha prayed, “O LORD, please open his eyes that he may see.” And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw that the hills were full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.”

The same God who has been telling Elisha where the Syrian troops are hiding has also sent His forces to counter any attack from the Syrians. Now Elisha asks God to strike the Syrians blind and then tells them that they are in the wrong city. Elisha leads the Syrians to Samaria, 15 kilometers from Dothan. Imagine how the Syrians feel when their blindness lifts and they find themselves in Samaria!

The king of Israel stands amazed and almost sounds like a Labrador retriever. “My father, shall I kill them? Shall I kill them?”  Wisely, Elisha advises the king to make a feast for the Syrians and then send them back to their master. Elisha knows that once the Syrians have eaten food from the king of Israel, traditionally, they can no longer attack him. The plan works and the Syrians return to their master in Damascus. The account ends by stating that Aramean raiders do not attack Israel again; however, we will soon see that the Syrian king will mount another attack.

APPLICATION: Psalm 37:4 tells us, “The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him, and he delivers them.” Here God protects and delivers Elisha and his servant as well as the Israelites. “But,” you ask, “what about all those Christians who are being martyred for their faith? What about those in northern Nigeria who have been murdered in their churches? What about Christians in Southern Sudan?” Those are valid questions.

In 1978, Edith Schaeffer wrote a book entitled Affliction. The main thesis of that book was that at the end of time, we would find that the grace of God has been proven sufficient for all circumstances. There are people who are miraculously healed and miraculously delivered, demonstrating that God can indeed heal and deliver. On the other hand, there are also those faithful who die with cancer or other diseases or who are martyred for their faith. The lives of these people demonstrate that God’s grace has proved sufficient even for these extreme circumstances.

Even at the time Edith Schaeffer was writing that book, her husband, the famous theologian and Bible expositor Pastor Francis Schaeffer, was suffering from the cancer that eventually killed him a few years later. When Edith Schaeffer was writing, she was speaking out of her own experience; this was no mere theory.

There are those Christians who have narrowly escaped dying for their faith, demonstrating that God still can deliver. But there are others who have died refusing to renounce Christ.

“The Christian bishops, chiefs, commanders, clergy and people of Sudan declared, on May 16, 1983, that they would not abandon God as God had revealed himself to them under threat of Shariah Law imposed by the fundamentalist Islamic government in Khartoum. Until a peace treaty was signed on January 9, 2005, the Episcopal Church of the Province of the Sudan suffered from persecution and devastation through twenty-two years of civil war. Two and a half million people were killed, half of whom were members of this church. Many clergy and lay leaders were singled out because of their religious leadership in their communities. No buildings, including churches and schools, are left standing in an area the size of Alaska. Four million people are internally displaced, and a million are scattered around Africa and beyond in the Sudanese Diaspora. Twenty-two of the twenty-four dioceses exist in exile in Uganda or Kenya, and the majority of the clergy are unpaid. Only 5% of the population of Southern Sudan was Christian in 1983. Today over 85% of that region of six million is now mostly Episcopalian or Roman Catholic. A faith rooted deeply in the mercy of God has renewed their spirits throughout the years of strife and sorrow.” (http://satucket.com/lectionary/Sudan.htm)

Corrie ten Boom and her family sheltered a Jewish family in their home in Haarlem during World War II. Corrie’s father assured her that if they were captured by the Nazis, God would give them the grace necessary to bear up in the concentration camps. Eventually, Corrie’s family was taken, and Corrie’s father and her sister Betsie died in the concentration camps. But Corrie and her sister were able to share their faith with their fellow prisoners and give them hope. After the war, Corrie embarked on thirty – three years of ministry, during which time she went around the world speaking in sixty – four countries.

We do not know what lies ahead of us, but this one thing we do know: no matter the circumstances that we will have to face, God is already there and His grace will be sufficient. Let us praise Him and trust Him!

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, help us to trust that Your provision will always be there for us and that Your grace will be sufficient for any trouble that we encounter. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

2 Kings 6:1 – 7 “Now the sons of the prophets said to Elisha, “Please take note that the place where we meet with you is too small for us. Please let us go to the Jordan, where each of us can get a log so we can build ourselves a place to live there.”

“Go,” said Elisha.

Then one of them said, “Please come with your servants.”

“I will come,” he replied.

So Elisha went with them, and when they came to the Jordan, they began to cut down some trees. As one of them was cutting down a tree, the iron axe head fell into the water. “Oh, my master,” he cried out, “it was borrowed!”

“Where did it fall?” asked the man of God.

And when he showed him the place, the man of God cut a stick, threw it there, and made the iron float. “Lift it out,” he said, and the man reached out his hand and took it.”

This is such a simple story that we might miss its importance. The number of apprentice prophets was increasing and they needed more living space. Fortunately, Gilgal was close to the Jordan River, where they could get lumber. In a land full of rocks, trees would only grow where there was water, so there were plenty of trees close to the Jordan. But a terrible thing happened. As one of the young men was cutting down a tree close to the river, the head of the axe flew off into the water. Perhaps the water was deep right there; at any rate, there seemed to be no means of recovering this axe head.

In those days, tools were expensive and very valuable due to the cost of the metal to create them. The loss of any tool was a major one; in addition, this poor young man was in despair because he had borrowed this axe from someone else. These young Torah students had no money and little means of support. How could this young man possibly replace this axe? Perhaps this young man was the only support of a widowed mother; if he wound up in debt to the owner of the axe, what would happen then?  If the owner of the axe was a cruel man, he might even enslave this young man to regain the cost of the axe. This young man’s life might be totally ruined, all because of the loss of the axe head.

What did this young man do at that point? The Bible doesn’t tell us, but I suspect that he immediately got a long pole and began probing the river bottom to see if he could find the axe head. Perhaps the axe head fell among rocks and was lodged, making it impossible to recover.

When the young man explained what had happened to Elisha, Elisha immediately threw a stick into the water. Suddenly, the axe head began to float, and the young man was able to pick it out of the water. This was a true miracle with no possible alternative explanation. We can well imagine that the young man immediately took steps to re – attach the axe head to the handle far more securely than it was before!

APPLICATION: So many times, we read these miracle stories and ask ourselves if God really does this stuff, and if He does, will He do something similar for us? During our second missionary term in Ghana, we were working at a clinic with a Toyota Land Cruiser SUV. In those days, we had to go all the way to Accra to buy many of our drugs and medical consumables. During one trip, we pulled into a parking space in Accra only to hear hissing from all four tires!!! Yes, that’s right! All four tires on the Land Cruiser spoiled at once. This incident took place in the early 1990’s when communication was difficult and e – transfers of money were unknown. Cell phones didn’t exist, and phone calls to the U.S. were expensive and difficult. Transfers of funds could take up to 8 weeks or longer, and our support level was low and spotty. At that point, we knew exactly how that young prophet felt as he watched that axe head fly off into a deep pool in the Jordan River.

Land Cruiser tires were expensive, and four of them at once represented an enormous cost. The clinic didn’t have the money to buy new tires. We managed to get four used tires in good condition; however, we were facing a return trip of several hundred miles over wretched roads. We succeeded in calling our mission headquarters. (Miracle #1) Our missions secretary informed us that two months earlier, someone had donated sufficient money for us to buy four new tires. Somehow, we succeeded in cashing a check for sufficient funds to buy those tires. (Miracle #2 – finding a place to cash that check was difficult.) For us, that financial miracle was just as impressive as that floating axe head must have been for those young prophets.

GOD IS STILL IN THE MIRACLE BUSINESS!!! But there are a few conditions.

1. Do everything you can to rectify the situation: Before informing Elisha of this loss, it’s likely that this young prophet had already done everything he could to try to recover the axe head. Perhaps he attempted to fish out that axe head with a long pole. Perhaps his friends waded into the river to help him search. In our story, we did everything we could by purchasing four good used tires so that we would have something to run on and repairing one of the others so that we had a spare. We were prepared to limp all the way back to northeastern Ghana when we called our mission secretary. We did not merely sit down, fold our hands, and demand that God perform a miracle.
2. Make sure that you have exhausted all possible sources of help: This young prophet didn’t give up, but went to Elisha for assistance. Remember that Elisha was a farmer. When Elijah called Elisha into ministry, Elisha was plowing with oxen. As a farmer, Elisha would recognize the value of the axe head and would also be resourceful.
3. Trust God: even though there is no mention of the young prophet praying, he was trusting Elisha as a man dedicated to God. Elisha was God’s local representative, so effectively, the young prophet was trusting that God would act through Elisha.
4. Trust that if God does not work an immediate miracle, He can still deliver you. Reviewing previous stories of Elisha’s ministry, we realize that God never does things the same way twice. Each deliverance is unique. God is not merely interested in delivering us but in building relationship with us. In our particular situation, we needed to learn that God could be trusted to move in the hearts of donors so that funds would be available when necessary.

Have you lost your axe head? Ask God to help you, but don’t limit Him. God has only made one axe head float, but He can provide in ways you can’t anticipate.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, help us to trust You, even when we seem to be facing impossible odds. Thank You, that You are a God of infinite variety and infinite resourcefulness. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

2 Kings 5:19 – 27 “But after Naaman had traveled a short distance, Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, “Look, my master has spared this Aramean, Naaman, while not accepting what he brought. As surely as the LORD lives, I will run after him and get something from him.”

So Gehazi pursued Naaman. And when Naaman saw him running toward him, he got down from the chariot to meet him and asked, “Is everything all right?”

“Everything is all right,” Gehazi replied. “My master has sent me to say, ‘I have just now discovered that two young men from the sons of the prophets have come to me from the hill country of Ephraim. Please give them a talent of silver and two sets of clothing.’ ” (A talent is approximately 75.4 pounds or 34.2 kilograms of silver.)

But Naaman insisted, “Please, take two talents.” And he urged Gehazi to accept them. Then he tied up two talents of silver in two bags along with two sets of clothing and gave them to two of his servants, who carried them ahead of Gehazi.

When Gehazi came to the hill, he took the gifts from the servants and stored them in the house. Then he dismissed the men, and they departed.

When Gehazi went in and stood before his master, Elisha asked him, “Gehazi, where have you been?”

“Your servant did not go anywhere,” he replied.

But Elisha questioned him, “Did not my spirit go with you when the man got down from his chariot to meet you? Is this the time to accept money and clothing, olive groves and vineyards, sheep and oxen, menservants and maidservants? Therefore, the leprosy of Naaman will cling to you and your descendants forever!”

And as Gehazi left his presence, he was leprous—as white as snow.”

In the beginning, it was a great thing to be allowed to serve Elisha, the foremost prophet in Israel. Gehazi reveled in the attention and the acclaim; however, over the course of time, his enthusiasm began to fade. Perhaps Gehazi anticipated that they would be received into the best homes and that Elisha would be paid handsomely for his efforts. Surely Elisha would share any wealth he gained with his faithful servant Gehazi! But the only home into which Elisha and Gehazi were welcomed was that of the Shunammite woman. The rest of the time, Elisha and Gehazi might have to sleep in caves, stables, or airless store rooms. No! This lifestyle was not what Gehazi had anticipated when he began working with Elisha.

When Naaman was healed of his leprosy, he immediately tried to offer Elisha all kinds of riches, only for Elisha to refuse to take anything. Elisha was concerned about Naaman’s immortal soul. It was after Elisha had refused to accept any payment for the miracle that Naaman pledged to worship only the One True Living God of Israel. Had Elisha accepted money or clothing, Naaman would have returned to Syria as a pagan rather than a worshiper of the God of Israel. But Gehazi had no such scruples.

From Gehazi’s standpoint, Elisha was a fool and it was high time that Gehazi provided for himself. Perhaps Gehazi had a wife and children somewhere. Perhaps Gehazi was concerned because he was getting older and he feared that he would starve in his old age. Perhaps Gehazi was secretly planning to leave Elisha and settle somewhere comfortable. All we know is that Gehazi decided that if Elisha wasn’t going to get anything from Naaman, he certainly would.

Naaman was more than happy to give Gehazi whatever he asked, and Gehazi probably felt smug that he had not demanded all the riches that Naaman had brought with him; after all, Gehazi only asked for one talent of silver and two garments. But when Gehazi ran after Naaman to collect money and clothing, he was actually bartering his health and that of his descendants. Poor foolish Gehazi! Gehazi’s greed not only cost him his relationship with Elisha, but in addition, Gehazi and all his descendants received an everlasting generational curse of leprosy.

This story is the last time we hear any mention of Gehazi as Elisha’s servant. We must assume that Gehazi left Elisha permanently. But what a horrible thing Gehazi had brought on himself! In Israel, lepers were social outcasts and were barred from worshiping in the temple. Now Gehazi and all of his descendants were cursed with leprosy.

APPLICATION: Many of us might share Gehazi’s fears for our lives. Society pushes us to be practical – minded and to provide for ourselves. While there is nothing wrong with planning for the future, we must be careful to ask God for His plans rather than simply planning ourselves and then asking God to rubber stamp it. The fear of starving in a penniless old age is very real; it takes all the faith we can muster to trust God rather than struggling.

Prior to 2008, thousands of people trusted Bernie Madoff and his financial institutions with their hard – earned retirement savings. Few people realized that Madoff was running a 64.8-billion-dollar Ponzi scheme, in effect, robbing Peter to pay Paul. When Madoff finally confessed and things fell apart, many charities and hospitals were severely damaged. Those whose retirement savings had been lodged with Madoff suddenly found themselves forced to return to the work force merely to survive. Many who had anticipated a comfortable retirement had to drastically simplify their plans.

If we have learned nothing else from the Madoff scandal, we have learned that savings can evaporate. In Matthew 6:19 – 21 Jesus told his disciples “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Later in the same chapter, Jesus also said, “So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6:31 – 34)

Gehazi’s biggest mistake was his failure to trust God. Even though Gehazi lived with Elisha and traveled with Elisha, he never understood who God was or how well God could provide for him. Gehazi watched God do untold miracles of provision and healing, but yet when the temptation came to grab riches, Gehazi faltered.

Should we plan as carefully as possible for our old age? Certainly. But we must ask God for His advice rather than going off on our own and then asking God to bless our plans later. May we look to God as our ultimate Source and remember that He can do far abundantly above all that we ask or think!

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, help us to trust You, even when we are worried about aging and survival. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

2 Kings 5:1 – 27 “Now Naaman, the commander of the army of the king of Aram (Syria), was a great man in his master’s sight and highly regarded, for through him the LORD had given victory to Aram. And he was a mighty man of valor, but he was a leper.

At this time the Arameans had gone out in bands and had taken a young girl from the land of Israel, and she was serving Naaman’s wife. She said to her mistress, “If only my master would go to the prophet who is in Samaria, he would cure him of his leprosy.”

And Naaman went and told his master what the girl from the land of Israel had said.

“Go now,” said the king of Aram, “and I will send you with a letter to the king of Israel.”

So Naaman departed, taking with him ten talents of silver, six thousand shekels of gold, and ten sets of clothing. (10 talents is approximately 754 pounds or 342 kilograms of silver. 6,000 shekels is approximately 150.8 pounds or 68.4 kilograms of gold.)

And the letter that he took to the king of Israel stated: “With this letter I am sending my servant Naaman, so that you may cure him of his leprosy.”

When the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his clothes and asked, “Am I God, killing and giving life, that this man expects me to cure a leper? Surely you can see that he is seeking a quarrel with me!”

Now when Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his clothes, he sent a message to the king: “Why have you torn your clothes? Please let the man come to me, and he will know that there is a prophet in Israel.”

So Naaman came with his horses and chariots and stood at the door of Elisha’s house.

Then Elisha sent him a messenger, who said, “Go and wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored, and you will be clean.”

But Naaman went away angry, saying, “I thought that he would surely come out, stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, and wave his hand over the spot to cure my leprosy. Are not the Abanah and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not have washed in them and been cleansed?” So he turned and went away in a rage.

Naaman’s servants, however, approached him and said, “My father, if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more, then, when he tells you, ‘Wash and be cleansed’?”

So Naaman went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times, according to the word of the man of God, and his flesh was restored and became like that of a little child, and he was clean.

Then Naaman and all his attendants went back to the man of God, stood before him, and declared, “Now I know for sure that there is no God in all the earth except in Israel. So please accept a gift from your servant.” But Elisha replied, “As surely as the LORD lives, before whom I stand, I will not accept it.” And although Naaman urged him to accept it, he refused.

“If you will not,” said Naaman, “please let me, your servant, be given as much soil as a pair of mules can carry. For your servant will never again make a burnt offering or a sacrifice to any other god but the LORD. Yet may the LORD forgive your servant this one thing: When my master goes into the temple of Rimmon to worship there, and he leans on my arm, and I bow down in the temple of Rimmon, may the LORD forgive your servant in this matter.”

“Go in peace,” said Elisha.

 “Now Naaman, the commander of the army of the king of Aram (Syria), was a great man in his master’s sight and highly regarded, for through him the LORD had given victory to Aram. And he was a mighty man of valor, but he was a leper.” We read these words and think “so what?” without considering their import. In many societies in that time, anyone with leprosy automatically became an outcast and had to exist on the fringes of society. But Naaman was such an outstanding warrior and so esteemed for his courage and his prowess in battle that the king of Aram (Syria) ignored his leprosy. Leprosy itself does not consume tissue; however, leprosy progressively dulls nerves so that the sufferer has no idea when he or she is incurring an injury or an infection. The results can be disastrous. The first miracle in this story is the esteem the king of Aram has for Naaman and his desire to preserve Naaman.

The next miracle is the faith of the little Israelite girl. When the Syrians captured this young lady, she became a servant to Naaman’s wife. But before this girl left Samaria, she learned about Elisha, and now she informs her mistress. Naaman’s wife obviously cares for him as well and she passes on this information. Truly, Naaman is a well – loved man.

The request from the king of Aram to the king of Samaria is typical for communication between sovereigns at the time. The king of Samaria is no believer and assumes that the Syrians are trying to pick a quarrel; however, Elisha gets wind of the request and orders the king to send Naaman to him.

Ever since Naaman’s healing actually took place, this story has served as a reminder for believers to follow God’s commands. Unless the Jordan is at flood stage, it is not a very large river. Naaman has crossed the Jordan en route to Samaria and has not been impressed. When Elisha orders Naaman to wash in the Jordan seven times, Naaman is severely disappointed and insulted. But Naaman’s loyal servants ask a pertinent question: “My father, if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more, then, when he tells you, ‘Wash and be cleansed’?” Naaman shrugs his shoulders, goes down to the Jordan and washes seven times and suddenly as the water is drying after the seventh time, everyone watches in amazement as Naaman’s skin is completely restored, like the skin of a little child. At that point, Naaman’s servants are probably shouting and clapping!

When Naaman returns to Elisha with tears of gratitude, Elisha refuses to take any of the incredible riches that Naaman has brought with him. Elisha wants Naaman to realize that it is the One True Living God who has done this and that the power rests in God and not in Elisha. Naaman realizes this and promises to worship the God of Israel; in fact, Naaman requests two mule loads of Israelite earth so that when he returns to Syria, he can set up his own altar on Israelite soil. Naaman’s only request is that Elisha will intercede with God for him so that God will pardon him when he has to accompany his master into the temple of Rimmon on ceremonial duties. By this request, Naaman demonstrates the quality of his character and his devotion to the God who has healed him. When Elisha tells Naaman to go in peace, he is blessing Naaman and acknowledging his new – found devotion to the Living God.

APPLICATION: HOW MANY MIRACLES DO WE MISS BECAUSE WE ARE ASHAMED TO FOLLOW GOD’S ORDERS? Naaman has an incurable sickness and yet he nearly misses his healing because he disdains the river Jordan as an insignificant trickle of water. It is only the urging of Naaman’s servants that causes him to reconsider and follow Elisha’s instructions. Naaman anticipates some great dramatic scene; after all, Elisha has called down fire from heaven on two companies of soldiers at one point. When God doesn’t behave as anticipated, Naaman is ready to give up this trip to Samaria and return to Syria unhealed.

God can use all kinds of circumstances to bless us if we will allow Him to do so. Recently, I was called to the hospital at midnight for a woman in labor. While I was waiting to see whether or not we would need to do a Caesarian Section, I began checking Facebook. A friend in America had just posted regarding problems with her husband who had undergone a complicated operation and who was now at home. My friend’s husband was vomiting; however, he had a feeding tube in place. I felt a holy nudge to call my friend and give her instructions that could help tide things over until their surgeon returned her phone calls. My patient delivered without an operation and my friend’s husband responded to fluids through the feeding tube.  

I don’t tell this story to give myself any credit. I actually debated about calling my friend. But when I did call, I learned that her husband was in worse shape than she realized. The moral of this story is simple: if God nudges you to do something, don’t hesitate! Even if God tells you to go bathe seven times in a small muddy river, go bathe! Who knows how much healing you might get?

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, obedience is so hard! We want to argue and get explanations. Help us to obey first and ask for explanations later. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.  

2 Kings 4:38 – 44 “When Elisha returned to Gilgal, there was a famine in the land. As the sons of the prophets were sitting at his feet, he said to his attendant, “Put on the large pot and boil some stew for the sons of the prophets.”

One of them went out to the field to gather herbs, and he found a wild vine from which he gathered as many wild gourds as his garment could hold. Then he came back and cut them up into the pot of stew, though no one knew what they were.

And they poured it out for the men to eat, but when they tasted the stew they cried out, “There is death in the pot, O man of God!” And they could not eat it.

Then Elisha said, “Get some flour.” He threw it into the pot and said, “Pour it out for the people to eat.” And there was nothing harmful in the pot.

Now a man from Baal-shalishah came to the man of God with a sack of twenty loaves of barley bread from the first ripe grain. “Give it to the people to eat,” said Elisha.

But his servant asked, “How am I to set twenty loaves before a hundred men?”

“Give it to the people to eat,” said Elisha, “for this is what the LORD says: ‘They will eat and have some left over.’ ”

So he set it before them, and they ate and had some left over, according to the word of the LORD.”

Elisha has returned to Gilgal in the eastern part of Israel from Shunem to the west. Rather than stay in comfort in Shunem, Elisha is joining the sons of the prophets to teach them. Because of the idolatry that is rife in Israel, God has removed His blessings and there is a famine in the land. One of the young men goes out to collect wild cucumbers or wild squash, but he makes a mistake. The website https://bible.org/seriespage/11-death-pot-2-kings-438-41 tells us, “Untrained in these matters, he mistook the wild vine for an edible cucumber or squash. What he found is believed to be the citrallus colocynthus, which had a leaf like a squash but was bitter and poisonous due to its very severe purgative qualities. If eaten in large amounts, it would tear up the digestive tract and could even cause death. In small amounts you might not die, but you might think you were going to – and might even want to.”

What happens to the stew when Elisha pours that flour into it? God intervenes and heals the stew, removing the poison from it. But what must the prophets be thinking as Elisha orders them to try the stew again? After suffering from severe stomach cramps, it might take a great deal of faith just to try that stew again!

A man brings a sack of twenty loaves of barley bread from the first ripe grain. This donation represents an offering of first fruits; the man is not keeping his new grain for himself but is sharing it with men of God. But there are only twenty loaves and there are one hundred men to feed. Again, the servant just keeps handing out pieces of bread and the bread feeds all these men. In addition, there are still lots of left overs after everyone has eaten his fill.  

Notice something. The only thing that makes these men special is that in a time when many in Israel are pursuing idols of all kinds, these men have dedicated themselves to learning about the One True Living God. Are these men perfect? Far from it! But God is honoring the dedication of these men by providing for them.

APPLICATION: There have been all kinds of lessons drawn from these two stories. The sons of the prophets are those men who have dedicated themselves to serving God and to learning more about him. Because of that dedication, even though a famine is hitting the land, God is still providing for these men.

We live in uncertain times. Economies are shaking and collapsing. Industries are failing. There is political unrest in a number of places. But God still has people who love Him and who are serving Him. God will take care of His people. Does that mean that we will not suffer along with everyone else? Of course not! The famine is hitting these men at Gilgal just as it is hitting everywhere else in Israel. But God faithfully provides their basic needs.

What eventually happens to these men is not known. It is possible that later some of them may die for their faith. But on this day, at this point in time, God shows up and supplies abundantly.

Throughout the world, Christians are dying for their faith. It is entirely possible that we too may eventually be called on to lay down our lives. Let us trust that if and when that time comes, God will give us the strength, the grace, and the courage to endure to the end. The same God who has healed the stew and provided bread for these one hundred men is still able. Let us praise Him and worship Him!

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, help us to follow hard after You all the days of our lives and help us to trust You to provide for us. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

2 Kings 4:8 – 37 “One day Elisha went to Shunem, and a prominent woman who lived there persuaded him to have a meal. So whenever he would pass by, he would stop there to eat.

Then the woman said to her husband, “Behold, now I know that the one who often comes our way is a holy man of God. Please let us make a small room upstairs and put in it a bed, a table, a chair, and a lamp for him. Then when he comes to us, he can stay there.”

One day Elisha came to visit and went to his upper room to lie down. And he said to Gehazi his servant, “Call the Shunammite woman.” And when he had called her, she stood before him, and Elisha said to Gehazi, “Now tell her, ‘Look, you have gone to all this trouble for us. What can we do for you? Can we speak on your behalf to the king or the commander of the army?’ ”

“I have a home among my own people,” she replied.

So he asked, “Then what should be done for her?” “Well, she has no son,” Gehazi replied, “and her husband is old.”

“Call her,” said Elisha.

So Gehazi called her, and she stood in the doorway. And Elisha declared, “At this time next year, you will hold a son in your arms.” “No, my lord,” she said. “Do not lie to your maidservant, O man of God.”

But the woman did conceive, and at that time the next year she gave birth to a son, just as Elisha had told her.

And the child grew, and one day he went out to his father, who was with the harvesters. “My head! My head!” he complained to his father. So his father told a servant, “Carry him to his mother.”

After the servant had picked him up and carried him to his mother, the boy sat on her lap until noon, and then he died. And she went up and laid him on the bed of the man of God. Then she shut the door and went out.

And the woman called her husband and said, “Please send me one of the servants and one of the donkeys, that I may go quickly to the man of God and return.”

“Why would you go to him today?” he replied. “It is not a New Moon or a Sabbath.” “Everything is all right,” she said.

Then she saddled the donkey and told her servant, “Drive onward; do not slow the pace for me unless I tell you.”  So she set out and went to the man of God at Mount Carmel.

When the man of God saw her at a distance, he said to his servant Gehazi, “Look, there is the Shunammite woman. Please run out now to meet her and ask, ‘Are you all right? Is your husband all right? Is your child all right?’ ” And she answered, “Everything is all right.”

When she reached the man of God at the mountain, she clung to his feet. Gehazi came over to push her away, but the man of God said, “Leave her alone, for her soul is in deep distress, and the LORD has hidden it from me and has not told me.”

Then she said, “Did I ask you for a son, my lord? Didn’t I say, ‘Do not deceive me?’ ”

So Elisha said to Gehazi, “Tie up your garment, take my staff in your hand, and go! If you meet anyone, do not greet him, and if anyone greets you, do not answer him. Then lay my staff on the boy’s face.”

And the mother of the boy said, “As surely as the LORD lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So he got up and followed her.

Gehazi went on ahead of them and laid the staff on the boy’s face, but there was no sound or response. So he went back to meet Elisha and told him, “The boy has not awakened.”

When Elisha reached the house, there was the boy lying dead on his bed. So he went in, closed the door behind the two of them, and prayed to the LORD.

Then Elisha got on the bed and lay on the boy, mouth to mouth, eye to eye, and hand to hand. As he stretched himself out over him, the boy’s body became warm. Elisha turned away and paced back and forth across the room. Then he got on the bed and stretched himself out over the boy again, and the boy sneezed seven times and opened his eyes.

Elisha summoned Gehazi and said, “Call the Shunammite woman.” So he called her and she came. Then Elisha said, “Pick up your son.” She came in, fell at his feet, and bowed to the ground. Then she picked up her son and went out.

The assurance of a good meal, a bed, a table, a chair, a lamp, and a room in the upper part of the house where the evening breezes would make everything delightful – these were the homely things that this practical – minded lady of Shunem provided for the prophet Elisha and his servant Gehazi. As far as we know, Elisha had no wife or child and he had left his parents to follow Elijah. There were probably many times when Elisha and Gehazi had to settle for sleeping in stables or even in caves. Under such circumstances, the promise of good food, safe drinking water, and a clean attractive place to sleep and meditate must have seemed like a dream come true to Elisha and Gehazi. Little wonder then, that Elisha would try to do something to repay this lady’s kindness.

The Shunammite woman had no son and her husband was old. Perhaps she was a young woman who had been married off to an older man by her parents so that she would have a comfortable situation and would be able to assist them. At any rate, Elisha interceded for this lady and God gave her a son. All was well until the day when the boy was in the field with his father and the harvesters and began complaining of a severe headache. Within a few hours, this sweet child was dead and his mother was distraught. But this lady was a woman of faith; she believed that if Elisha had prayed for the birth of this child, Elisha might still be able to pray and raise this child from the dead.

This lady’s husband was not a believer. It was the faithful wife who insisted that all was well, even after she had carried her dead son’s body up to Elisha’s room. Despite protests from her husband, this lady courageously had a donkey saddled and then rushed to Elisha, still proclaiming that all was well. But all was not well and when Elisha sent Gehazi with his staff as a sign of authority, the boy remained dead. Elisha and the woman returned to her home. Elisha went upstairs, shut the door, and prayed to the Lord. Then Elisha stretched himself out on the boy, allowing God’s power to flow through his body and into that lifeless body. Suddenly the boy began breathing and sneezed seven times. Why seven times? Seven was considered the number of completion. God allowed the boy to sneeze seven times because He was healing the boy thoroughly. How Elisha and the Shunammite lady must have grinned at each other as Elisha called her and told her to pick up her son. That lady did not need to be told twice! That little boy probably got the hugging of his life as his mother embraced him, sobbing tears of joy.

APPLICATION: This is rainy season, a time of year when parents rush their malaria – stricken children in pale and seizing. We try to save every child; however, sometimes we fail. We might ask why God has chosen to raise this lady and yet allows so many of these children to die with complications of malaria. We will never know until we reach heaven. But what is remarkable about this story is not merely the raising of a child from the dead, but the faith of his mother. This lady has carried her dead son’s body up to the prophet’s room. She knows that her son is dead, and yet, she keeps maintaining that nothing is wrong and that everything will be all right. Yes, God moves through Elisha to heal the boy; however, it is the faith of the boy’s mother that impels her to saddle that donkey and rush post – haste to call Elisha to come. A woman of lesser faith would have simply shrugged her shoulders and buried the child and no miracle would ever have taken place.

We read these stories and wonder if God really does this stuff. A few years ago, a lady came to our mission hospital from across the river in Togo. We treated her for several days and then she went to stay at a local pastor’s house in town. That night, about 7:30, the lady died! There was no doubt that the lady was truly dead; she stopped breathing, had no heartbeat, and her body was starting to become stiff. The pastor led prayers for the lady and her family. Lacking anyplace else to put the body, her female relatives carefully laid her in one corner of the room and then prepared to go to sleep themselves in the same room. But two hours later, at 9:30 PM, the lady woke up. Let me say that again: THE LADY WOKE UP! God raised that lady from the dead, and she was healed. The problems that had sent her to the hospital were gone.

We can always ask God for healing; there is nothing wrong in asking. And we can ask repeatedly; Jesus encouraged his disciples to pray persistently. But at the end of the day, we must remember that we are only in advertising and that God is in management. Sometimes we don’t know what might happen if someone continues to live. God loves our family members far better than we can and He knows the end from the beginning. Let us come to God in faith, trusting Him and asking for big things, knowing that a loving heavenly Father will give us His very best.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, help us to trust You, even when circumstances seem grim. Thank You for loving those who are dear to us far more than we ever can. Help us to pray and not to give up but to recognize Your timing in our lives and the lives of our loved ones. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

2 Kings 4:1 – 7 “Now the wife of one of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, “Your servant, my husband, is dead, and you know that your servant feared the LORD. And now his creditor is coming to take my two children as his slaves!”

“How can I help you?” asked Elisha. “Tell me, what do you have in the house?”

She answered, “Your servant has nothing in the house but a jar of oil.” “Go,” said Elisha, “borrow jars, even empty ones, from all your neighbors. Do not gather just a few. Then go inside, shut the door behind you and your sons, and pour oil into all these jars, setting the full ones aside.”

So she left him, and after she had shut the door behind her and her sons, they kept bringing jars to her, and she kept pouring. When all the jars were full, she said to her son, “Bring me another.”

But he replied, “There are no more jars.” Then the oil stopped flowing.

She went and told the man of God, and he said, “Go, sell the oil, and pay your debt. Then you and your sons can live on the remainder.”

GOD TAKES CARE OF WIDOWS AND ORPHANS! The widow Mariam was in despair. Mariam’s late husband Ebenezer was no money manager! While Ebenezer was alive, he had foolishly borrowed from Simon, the most vicious money lender in town, assuming he would easily be able to repay later. Then came the day when Ebenezer collapsed out in the field. By the time neighbors could reach Ebenezer, there was nothing they could do for him, except to carry his dead body back to his home. Now Simon the money lender was at Mariam’s door, demanding that she hand over Joshua, age 10, and Samuel, age 8, so that he could sell them as slaves and get his money. To Mariam, her sons were her hope and her future. Little wonder then, that Mariam was appealing to Elisha for assistance.

Notice how Elisha proceeded in this matter. First, Elisha asked Mariam what she had in her house. When Mariam replied that she had one jar of oil, Elisha advised her to borrow every container she possibly could from her neighbors. To get those containers must have been a challenge; how did Mariam explain things to her neighbors without appearing foolish? But Mariam was desperate; perhaps she simply told others that the prophet had ordered her to do this. Nobody messed with prophets! Next Mariam and her sons were to shut themselves up in their home and then begin pouring oil from the original container into all the borrowed ones. In a village where anyone’s business quickly became everyone’s business, Elisha didn’t want a crowd of onlookers to rush into Mariam’s home and possibly steal anything from Mariam. This miracle was to be a private one, not a public one.

Finally, Mariam and her sons had to keep pouring as long as they had containers, and Mariam did just that. What must Mariam have thought when she filled the first few containers and the oil was still flowing? All that we know is that Mariam kept calling for more containers and her sons kept bringing them to her until the whole room was full and there were no more containers left. That’s when the oil stopped flowing.

APPLICATION: What if Mariam had only borrowed a few containers? Would there have been enough oil to pay the debt and leave money for her sons and her to live on? Although the major emphasis in this passage is on Elisha and the power of God that flowed through him, we must never overlook the faith of this widow. Many times, God might want to do something through us or for us; however, He cannot because we don’t want to appear foolish. Had this widow not risked looking ridiculous, she would never have borrowed enough containers to accommodate the oil necessary for her and her sons to survive.  

Does God really do this stuff? A few days ago, I told the story of the KFC miracle that happened to friends. But many years ago, something similar happened to me. While I was still in general surgery residency, I was interviewing for positions in pediatric surgery, using much of my income to travel to various training sites around America. At the same time, I was supporting an orphan through a charity and giving through my church as well. In August of that year, I re – stocked my dry supplies such as beans, flour, soy powder, etc. Normally, I would have to purchase these things once a month. But that fall, the levels of the supplies hit the half – way point and then stayed there. One night as I was cooking supper, I suddenly realized what was happening and that I had not bought new supplies in several months. Even though I had not specifically asked God to multiply these things, God had done so. Since then, there have been times during our missionary careers when God has multiplied finances and supplies.

God is faithful! Notice that God did not supply Mariam’s wants, but her needs. Mariam’s biggest need was for money to settle her late husband’s debts so that her sons would not be sold as slaves. God through Elisha made a way so that debt could be settled and Mariam and the boys would also have money to live on. Sometimes we ask God for things to satisfy our wants, rather than our needs.

Also notice that God worked with what Mariam had. Elisha did not order Mariam to go out and buy anything. If Mariam had had flour, God would have multiplied the flour.

What do you truly need today? Go somewhere quiet and then talk with God. Rest assured that the same God who saved this widow from having to sell her sons into slavery can still supply your needs. But be prepared! You might have to look as foolish as a poor lady running around a village borrowing jars from her neighbors.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, help us to come to You with our needs and to trust that You will hear and answer. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

 2 Kings 3:1 – 27 “In the eighteenth year of Jehoshaphat’s reign over Judah, Jehoram son of Ahab became king of Israel, and he reigned in Samaria twelve years. And he did evil in the sight of the LORD, but not as his father and mother had done. He removed the sacred pillar of Baal that his father had made.

Nevertheless, he clung to the sins that Jeroboam son of Nebat had caused Israel to commit; he did not turn away from them.

Now Mesha king of Moab was a sheep breeder, and he would render to the king of Israel a hundred thousand lambs and the wool of a hundred thousand rams. But after the death of Ahab, the king of Moab rebelled against the king of Israel. So at that time King Jehoram set out from Samaria and mobilized all Israel. And he sent a message to Jehoshaphat king of Judah: “The king of Moab has rebelled against me. Will you go with me to fight against Moab?”

“I will go,” replied Jehoshaphat. “I am like you, my people are your people, and my horses are your horses.” Then he asked, “Which way shall we go up?”

“By way of the Desert of Edom,” replied Joram.

So the king of Israel, the king of Judah, and the king of Edom set out, and after they had traveled a roundabout route for seven days, they had no water for their army or for their animals.

“Alas,” said the king of Israel, “for the LORD has summoned these three kings to deliver them into the hand of Moab!”

But Jehoshaphat asked, “Is there no prophet of the LORD here? Let us inquire of the LORD through him.”

And one of the servants of the king of Israel answered, “Elisha son of Shaphat is here. He used to pour water on the hands of Elijah.”

Jehoshaphat affirmed, “The word of the LORD is with him.” So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom went down to him.

Elisha, however, said to the king of Israel, “What have we to do with each other? Go to the prophets of your father and of your mother!”

“No,” replied the king of Israel, “for it is the LORD who has summoned these three kings to deliver them into the hand of Moab.”

Then Elisha said, “As surely as the LORD of Hosts lives, before whom I stand, were it not for my regard for the presence of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, I would not look at you or acknowledge you. But now, bring me a harpist.”

And while the harpist played, the hand of the LORD came upon Elisha and he said, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Dig this valley full of ditches.’ For the LORD says, ‘You will not see wind or rain, but the valley will be filled with water, and you will drink—you and your cattle and your animals.’ This is a simple matter in the sight of the LORD, and He will also deliver the Moabites into your hand. And you shall attack every fortified city and every city of importance. You shall cut down every good tree, stop up every spring, and ruin every good field with stones.”

The next morning, at the time of the morning sacrifice, water suddenly flowed from the direction of Edom and filled the land.

Now all the Moabites had heard that the kings had come up to fight against them. So all who could bear arms, young and old, were summoned and stationed at the border. When they got up early in the morning, the sun was shining on the water, and it looked as red as blood to the Moabites across the way.

“This is blood!” they exclaimed. “The kings have clashed swords and slaughtered one another. Now to the plunder, Moab!”

But when the Moabites came to the camp of Israel, the Israelites rose up and attacked them, and they fled before them. So the Israelites invaded their land and struck down the Moabites. They destroyed the cities, and each man threw stones on every good field until it was covered. They stopped up every spring and cut down every good tree. Only Kir-haraseth was left with stones in place, but men with slings surrounded it and attacked it as well.

When the king of Moab saw that the battle was too fierce for him, he took with him seven hundred swordsmen to break through to the king of Edom, but they could not prevail. So he took his firstborn son, who was to succeed him, and offered him as a burnt offering on the city wall. And there was great fury against the Israelites, (Israel’s fury was great) so they withdrew and returned to their own land.”

Jehoram, a.k.a., Joram, has succeeded his father Ahab and his brother Ahaziah and is now ruling the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Joram has made a tiny concession to the God of Israel by cutting down the Baal pillar; however, he is busy pursuing every other cult available. Mesha, king of Moab, recognizes the opportunity to get free and stop paying expensive tributes, so he rebels. Joram then calls on Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom for assistance. The last time Jehoshaphat helped a king of Israel, it was during the battle against the Syrians in which Ahab was severely wounded so that he died. Jehoshaphat foolishly wore his royal robes into battle and was nearly killed; however, the Syrians realized who he was and left him alone. Now Joram is calling for assistance and Jehoshaphat is busy making ringing statements. “I am like you, my people are your people, and my horses are your horses.”  

Joram stupidly advises that they should bring their armies through the Desert of Edom, and the three armies run out of water. When Jehoshaphat asks for a prophet of the Lord, Elisha appears and orders the armies to dig ditches in the dry valley so that God will fill them. Elisha further orders that after they have gotten water, they should completely destroy the land of Moab by cutting down every good tree, stopping up the springs, and dropping stones on every piece of good land.

Somewhere in the mountains it rains, and the ditches fill with water. When the morning sun strikes the water, turning it red, the Moabites think that the three armies are fighting amongst themselves and rush to attack. The three armies then destroy the Moabite army and carry out Elisha’s orders. Every walled city in Moab is destroyed, leaving only Kir – haraseth. Just as the armies are about to destroy this city, the king of Moab offers his eldest son who would succeed him as a burnt offering on the city wall. Horrified, the armies retreat.

What is the point of Mesha sacrificing his first – born son who would otherwise succeed him? Among the myriads of theories, Drew Holland from Martin Methodist College offers what might be the most logical explanation in his article “An Alternative Approach to the Dilemma of 2 Kings 3:27.” (https://place.asburyseminary.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1126&context=jibs) Holland suggests that King Mesha’s sacrifice is actually a sign of surrender and an atonement for the sin of rebellion. Holland tells us, “The burnt offering was commonly sacrificed in a wartime situation by battle losers to express apology, and it was also done by vassal kings to solidify a relationship with a suzerain king. Both types fit Mesha in 2 Kgs 3, the rebellious vassal wishing to re-establish his relationship with his suzerain after defeat.”

Holland then contends that the Israelites have conquered Kir – haraseth and are now involved as partners in Mesha’s horrific sacrifice. “Second, this sacrifice has practical functions. It both expresses contrition in cultic terms and serves the political purpose of ensuring that Mesha’s successor would not seek vengeance against the Israelites. If Mesha’s first-born son is the offering to be destroyed in a sacrifice, he will not live to seek the rebellious path of his father. In the words of Julie Faith Parker, “By sacrificing his son, King Mesha saves his kingdom from defeat while robbing it of its next ruler.”

Third, the idea of the “first-born” ( הַבְּכוֹר ), is intrinsically connected with the burnt offering and is instructive to revealing the nature of the burnt offering in this case. The gift for a burnt offering is typically a first-born male. With regard to the offering of human children, Gen 22 provides an instructive example. God commands Abraham to offer Isaac, the first-born male of Abraham and Sarah, as a burnt offering. However, the angel soon prevents Abraham from following through, allowing Abraham to offer a ram instead. A similar idea is at play in 2 Kgs 3:27, where Mesha’s beloved first-born is offered as a burnt offering. Yet, in contrast to Abraham, Mesha follows through with the offering.

One function of the sacrifice of the first-born male is as a substitute for the sacrificer…celebrating success for the victor and as an instrument of contrition for the loser…

Rather, the burnt offering is only intended to be undertaken after a battle is complete. If one loses the battle, the burnt offering has repentant force. If one wins the battle, the burnt offering has celebratory intentions. The significance attached to burnt offerings affirms not only the rationale for Mesha’s sacrifice but also the point of the prior section that the battle at Kir-hareseth was complete and that Israel had won, fulfilling Elisha’s prophecy.

It functions to indicate that the Israelites were behaving in a cultically ambiguous, thus inappropriate manner. We have little idea to whom Mesha, supported by the Israelites, sacrificed. But we do know it was cultically inappropriate for Yhwh’s people to participate in it.”

The “great wrath” mentioned would then be the wrath of God poured out on the Israelites for participating in Mesha’s horrible sacrifice as on – lookers essentially participating in the sacrificial ritual, rather than removing themselves from the scene. The fear of the Lord literally descends on the Israelites, causing them to suddenly withdraw and return home.

APPLICATION: Jehoshaphat is at it again! Having failed to learn from the near – fatal experience with Ahab, Jehoshaphat is back allying himself with Joram. Does Jehoshaphat derive some kind of pleasure from comparing himself with Joram, something similar to the smug feelings enjoyed by the families of addicts? (“Well, no matter what I do, I will NEVER be as bad as him!”) Does Jehoshaphat still cherish notions of being able to re – unite Israel and Judah? Or is Jehoshaphat bored and hoping for glory or loot? Whatever the case, Jehoshaphat has made the same mistake he made with Ahab; he has allied himself with someone who is totally unrighteous.

This time, Jehoshaphat winds up as a participant in a child sacrifice, something abhorrent to the God whom Jehoshaphat claims to serve. Nowhere in the Scripture does it say that Jehoshaphat has absented himself from this sacrifice. What excuse can Jehoshaphat possibly offer to the Lord? Jehoshaphat is pushing the envelope, teetering on the brink of full – bore cultic worship.

We may criticize Jehoshaphat, but the temptation to indulge our curiosity is ever – present. One pastor friend found himself addicted to on – line pornography when he failed to eliminate an invitation that popped up while he was surfing the internet. On – line videos, Netflix, television programs – the possibilities are endless.

Proverbs 4:23 tells us, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” As we move through our days, may we guard our hearts carefully!

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, help us to closely guard our hearts, that we may follow hard after You all the days of our lives. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

2 Kings 2:15 – 25 “When the sons of the prophets who were facing him from Jericho saw what had happened, they said, “The spirit of Elijah rests on Elisha.” And they went to meet him and bowed down to the ground before him.

 “Look now,” they said to Elisha, “we your servants have fifty valiant men. Please let them go and search for your master. Perhaps the Spirit of the LORD has taken him up and put him on one of the mountains or in one of the valleys.”

“Do not send them,” Elisha replied.

But when they pressed him to the point of embarrassment, he said, “Send them.”

And they sent fifty men, who searched for three days but did not find Elijah.

When they returned to Elisha, who was staying in Jericho, he said to them, “Didn’t I tell you not to go?”

Then the men of the city said to Elisha, “Please note, our lord, that the city’s location is good, as you can see. But the water is bad and the land is unfruitful.”

“Bring me a new bowl,” he replied, “and put some salt in it.”

So they brought it to him, and Elisha went out to the spring, cast the salt into it, and said, “This is what the LORD says: ‘I have healed this water. No longer will it cause death or unfruitfulness.’ ” And the waters there have been healthy to this day, according to the word spoken by Elisha.

From there, Elisha went up to Bethel, and as he was walking up the road, a group of boys (insignificant young men) came out of the city and jeered at him, chanting, “Go up, you baldhead! Go up, you baldhead!”

Then he turned around, looked at them, and called down a curse on them in the name of the LORD. Suddenly two female bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the boys. And Elisha went on to Mount Carmel, and from there he returned to Samaria.

Elisha has just watched Elijah being swept up into heaven, riding in a chariot of fire. Even before Elijah and Elisha crossed the Jordan, Elisha knew that Elijah was leaving the earth that day; he simply didn’t know how it would happen. The sons of the prophets were watching from the west side of the Jordan near Jericho and may even have seen the chariot of fire; certainly, they watched as Elisha struck the waters of Jordan with Elijah’s cloak and crossed on dry land. But the sons of the prophets had very little faith, so they imagined that God had simply picked Elijah up and transported him someplace else. When the sons of the prophets demanded to search for Elijah, Elisha probably just shrugged his shoulders and let them go at it, knowing that Elijah was no longer on the earth.

When Joshua destroyed the city of Jericho, he cursed anyone who would rebuild it. During the reign of wicked King Ahab, Hiel of Bethel rebuilt Jericho at the cost of his eldest son and his youngest son. These boys may have been slaughtered and their bodies buried before the walls and gates were established. Little wonder then, if there was a curse on the land and the water was foul. But Elisha had received a double portion of Elijah’s spirit, and he was prepared. The use of a new bowl with salt served as a symbolic gesture of God’s healing of the land and the water. That spring still exists today, and the land around Jericho remains highly productive.

“Elisha’s Spring (also called the Prophet’s Fountain and Elisha’s Fountain) is a freshwater spring near the archaeological mound of Tel Jericho where remains of settlements were found dating back to about 8,000 BC.

” (https://www.beinharimtours.com)

Evidently, from time immemorial, there were always bunches of young men hanging around to see what kind of trouble they could cause.  But one gang got a horrible shock. After leaving Jericho, Elisha was walking toward Bethel when these fellows began mocking him for his baldness. Although the name Elijah is generally translated as “Yahweh is my God,” another translation is “lord of the hair,” perhaps indicating that Elijah had flowing locks. At that time, baldness was considered as a type of physical deformity, so these hoodlums felt that they had found someone they could pick on. Bad move! Elisha called down a curse from the Lord, and two female bears rushed out of the woods and mauled forty – two gang members. From Bethel, Elijah went on to Mount Carmel and then back to Samaria.

Why did God allow forty – two young men to be mauled by bears? Perhaps the Bible only gives us a sanitized version of what actually took place. Perhaps this gang actually planned to attack and kill Elisha. At any rate, the message would have gone out throughout the land: don’t mess with God’s prophet!

APPLICATION: In the days of vaudeville shows, there were certain slots on the program that were undesirable. Performers never wanted to follow a very popular act because the audience was likely to take a break and go for refreshments when that act ended, leaving the next performers with a shrunken audience. People loved to watch acts involving trained dogs or trained ponies or a combination of the two, hence the name “dog and pony act.” The worst place on the program was the slot following the dog and pony act, because to be able to keep the audience’s attention after that meant that you had to have something very special.

Elisha succeeded Elijah and received a double portion of his spirit; however, Elisha was also in the position of following an incredibly successful mentor. After all, Elijah not only called down fire from heaven to consume his sacrifice on Mount Carmel, but he also called that same fire down on two different companies of soldiers when they came to arrest him. Perhaps God allowed the miracle at Jericho and the deliverance from this gang both to emphasize His approval of Elisha and also to encourage Elisha.

God’s calling and anointing on Elisha was no weaker than His calling and anointing on Elijah. But God called Elisha to a different ministry. One of the biggest mistakes one can make is to compare oneself to a highly successful predecessor. Each of us is unique with our own abilities and talents. God knows us far better than we know ourselves and calls us to work that is particularly suited to the gifts He has given or will give. But one thing we must remember: we can only accomplish things by God’s power, not by our own. 2 Corinthians 4:7 tells us, “But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.”

Today, if you are feeling overwhelmed at the tasks before you, why not ask God for the strength and courage to complete those tasks? If God is calling you to a work, He will certainly provide the energy and the vision for you to complete it.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, help us to trust that where You guide, You will provide and that You will give us the strength to complete the work to which You are calling us. In the matchless Name of King Jesus. Amen.

2 Kings 2:1 – 14 “Shortly before the LORD took Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal, and Elijah said to Elisha, “Please stay here, for the LORD has sent me on to Bethel.”

But Elisha replied, “As surely as the LORD lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.”

So they went down to Bethel. Then the sons of the prophets at Bethel came out to Elisha and said, “Do you know that the LORD will take your master away from you today?”

“Yes, I know,” he replied. “Do not speak of it.”

And Elijah said to Elisha, “Please stay here, for the LORD has sent me on to Jericho.”

But Elisha replied, “As surely as the LORD lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.”

So they went to Jericho.

Then the sons of the prophets at Jericho came up to Elisha and said, “Do you know that the LORD will take your master away from you today?”

“Yes, I know,” he replied. “Do not speak of it.”

And Elijah said to Elisha, “Please stay here, for the LORD has sent me on to the Jordan.”

But Elisha replied, “As surely as the LORD lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.”

So the two of them went on.

Then a company of fifty of the sons of the prophets went and stood at a distance, facing Elijah and Elisha as the two of them stood by the Jordan. And Elijah took his cloak, rolled it up, and struck the waters, which parted to the right and to the left, so that the two of them crossed over on dry ground.

After they had crossed over, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken away from you?”

“Please, let me inherit a double portion of your spirit,” Elisha replied.

“You have requested a difficult thing,” said Elijah. “Nevertheless, if you see me as I am taken from you, it will be yours. But if not, then it will not be so.”

As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire with horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up into heaven in a whirlwind.

As Elisha watched, he cried out, “My father, my father, the chariots and horsemen of Israel!” And he saw Elijah no more. So taking hold of his own clothes, he tore them in two.

Elisha also picked up the cloak that had fallen from Elijah, and he went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan.  Then he took the cloak of Elijah that had fallen from him and struck the waters. “Where now is the LORD, the God of Elijah?” he asked. And when he had struck the waters, they parted to the right and to the left, and Elisha crossed over.

Both Elijah and Elisha KNEW that God was taking Elijah away that day. Neither of them anticipated what might happen. All that Elisha knew was that the man he had followed, his mentor and the man who had taken his father’s place, was about to leave him alone. Little wonder then, that when Elijah began heading toward the Jordan, Elisha refused to remain behind. From Gilgal to Bethel to Jericho to the ford of the Jordan east of Jericho – Elisha stuck to Elijah like a cockle burr. Three times Elijah attempts to get Elisha to remain behind and three times Elisha refuses. The two men cross the Jordan on dry ground after Elijah strikes the water with his mantle.

When Elijah sees that Elisha is truly determined to stay with him until God moves, Elijah asks Elisha what final thing he can do for Elisha. “Give me a double portion of your spirit!” says Elisha. Elisha is wise enough to recognize that in himself, he is not adequate. While this is a difficult thing, Elijah assures Elisha that if Elisha sees Elijah as he is being taken away, Elisha will definitely receive a double portion of Elijah’s spirit. (We know that Elijah has been moving in the power of the Holy Spirit.) Suddenly, a chariot of fire with horses of fire sweeps Elijah up into heaven. As Elijah is ascending, he drops his cloak, and Elisha retrieves it. Elisha has received the blessing that he craved. Tearing his own clothes apart, Elisha drapes himself in Elijah’s mantle until he reaches the Jordan. Striking the waters, Elisha cries out, “Where is the God of Elijah?” The river waters part, and Elisha crosses on dry ground, assured that God has answered his prayer.

APPLICATION: This is a magnificent story! Anyone who has been criticizing Elijah for a lack of faith must consider his ascension into heaven. Why does Elijah test Eisha three times? Elijah knows that his time is short and that Elisha must succeed him. Even though God has assured Elijah that Elisha will take his place, Elijah is probably anxious to see if Elisha will really stay the course. Elisha’s refusal to stay back and his willingness to accompany Elijah to the end are the signs Elijah is searching for.

Why does Elisha tear his clothes? Torn clothes are a sign of grief, and Elisha is grieving for the loss of his friend, even as he stands amazed at the miracle God has just performed. At the same time, Elisha is also putting off the clothes of his old life and taking up the mantle of Elijah. Elisha has stood the test; he has watched Elijah being taken up into heaven and now has inherited a double portion of Elijah’s spirit. Will Elisha have an easy life? Absolutely not! Elisha is going to face all kinds of difficulties. But Elisha has received the anointing that he wanted and he is trusting God to go before him. That’s why Elisha strikes the water of the Jordan and crosses on dry ground.

Psalm 116:15 tells us “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.” No matter how God’s saints die or when, God is right there, sweeping them up into heaven. Even when there are no chariots of fire, God is still there and His Holy Spirit still ministers. When my mother was dying, I was at her bedside. Suddenly in my spirit, I could see my mother and a figure in a robe walking away from me toward a stream in a beautiful meadow. Coming toward across the stream was Jesus. And as Jesus took my mother into his arms, she died. One year later, I told that story at a church in Charleston, WV, only to have a lady in the group come up afterwards and tell me that she had seen something nearly identical when her beloved husband died.

The love of God for His saints is passionate and beautiful beyond all imagining. Whether we are taken up in fiery chariots or gathered up in God’s arms, He is always there for us, just as He has been our entire lives. Such love demands our devotion in return. Let us worship this loving Father by dedicating our lives to Him!

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, help us to realize just how deep Your love is for us and to love You in return. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.