KNOWING GOD – THE GOD OF MIRACLES – Lesson Twenty-one
Text: 2 Kings 3 – V.1-2 – Joram son of Ahab became king of Israel in Samaria in the eighteenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, and he reigned twelve years. 2He did evil in the eyes of the LORD, but not as his father and mother had done. He got rid of the sacred stone of Baal that his father had made.
The sacred stone of Baal that his father had made – See 1 Kings 16:29-33.
V.3 – Nevertheless he clung to the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, which he had caused Israel to commit; he did not turn away from them.
The sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, which he had caused Israel to commit – See 1 Kings 12:28-33 [V.28 – After seeking advice, the king made two golden calves. He said to the people, “It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem. Here are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt.”
After seeking advice – Acceptable advice should be according to the Word. (Psalm 119:24 – Your statutes are my delight; they are my counselors.)]
See V.4-7 – [V.7 – He also sent this 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 with you,” he replied. “I am as you are, my people as your people, my horses as your horses.”
“I will go with you,” he replied. “I am as you are, my people as your people, my horses as your horses.” – Jehoshaphat was here returning to folly. See: 1 Kings 22:1-33. (Note 2 Chronicles 19:1-3 – When Jehoshaphat king of Judah returned safely to his palace in Jerusalem, 2Jehu the seer, the son of Hanani, went out to meet him and said to the king, “Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the LORD? Because of this, the wrath of the LORD is upon you. 3There is, however, some good in you, for you have rid the land of the Asherah poles and have set your heart on seeking God.”)
1 Kings 22:48-49 – 48Now Jehoshaphat built a fleet of trading ships to go to Ophir for gold, but they never set sail-they were wrecked at Ezion Geber. 49At that time Ahaziah son of Ahab said to Jehoshaphat, “Let my men sail with your men,” but Jehoshaphat refused. (Note 2 Chronicles 20:35-37 – 35Later, Jehoshaphat king of Judah made an alliance with Ahaziah king of Israel, who was guilty of wickedness. 36He agreed with him to construct a fleet of trading ships. After these were built at Ezion Geber, 37Eliezer son of Dodavahu of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, “Because you have made an alliance with Ahaziah, the LORD will destroy what you have made.” The ships were wrecked and were not able to set sail to trade.)]
Application: Let us thank the GOD OF MIRACLES as He counsels us from: Psalm 85:8 – I will listen to what God the LORD will say; he promises peace to his people, his saints– but let them not return to folly.
Hebrews 12:1 – Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
V.10 – “What!” exclaimed the king of Israel. “Has the LORD called us three kings together only to hand us over to Moab?” Note Proverbs 19:3 – A man’s own folly ruins his life, yet his heart rages against the LORD.
V.15 – But now bring me a harpist.” While the harpist was playing, the hand of the LORD came upon Elisha
Bring me a harpist – Note that the GOD OF MIRACLES works through His people in various ways. Compare 2 Kings 2:13-14, 20-21 – 13He picked up the cloak that had fallen from Elijah and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan. 14Then he took the cloak that had fallen from him and struck the water with it. “Where now is the LORD, the God of Elijah?” he asked. When he struck the water, it divided to the right and to the left, and he crossed over.
20“Bring me a new bowl,” he said, “and put salt in it.” So they brought it to him.
21Then he went out to the spring and threw the salt into it, saying, “This is what the LORD says: ‘I have healed this water. Never again will it cause death or make the land unproductive.’ ”
V.18 – This is an easy thing in the eyes of the LORD; he will also hand Moab over to you. Note Jeremiah 32:17 – “Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.
See V.19-27.
General Application: It is inferred that Elisha was afforded the opportunity to display the glory of the Lord in light of 2 Kings 3:12 – Jehoshaphat said, “The word of the LORD is with him.” So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom went down to him.
Note 2 Kings 2:15 – The company of the prophets from Jericho, who were watching, said, “The spirit of Elijah is resting on Elisha.” And they went to meet him and bowed to the ground before him.
Let us seek to be filled with the Spirit and the word of the Lord.