Ahaziah fell from an upper room. Rather than turning to the Lord, he sent messengers to inquire of a foreign god. God gave Elijah a word for his king. [1]
Elijah stopped the kings messengers from reaching the foreign nation. He told them the Lord’s message for the king. “Go, return to the king who sent you, and say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord: is it because there is no God in Israel that you are sending to inquire of Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron? Therefore, you shall not come down from the bed to which you have gone up, but you shall surely die.’” [2]
The king was angry at Elijah. He sent a captain with 50 men to arrest him, but fire came down from heaven and consumed them. The king sent another captain and 50 men, and they too were consumed by fire from heaven. The king sent a third group of soldiers, but this time, their captain fell on his knees and pleaded with Elijah to let his life and the life of his men be precious in his sight. So, the Lord sent Elijah with them to the king. [3]
Elijah said to the king, “Thus says the Lord: because you have sent messengers to inquire of Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron, is it because there is no God in Israel to inquire of His Word? Therefore, you shall not come down from the bed to which you have gone up, but you shall surely die.” “ So Ahaziah died according to the Word of the Lord which Elijah had spoken...” [4]
God is gracious and longsuffering, but ultimately judges His betrayers who lead others astray from Him. Ahaziah was such a leader.
The Psalmist wrote by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, declaring a truth: “Ël אֵל GOD shall hear, and afflict them, even He that abides of old. Selà סֶלָה. Because they have no changes, therefore they fear not Élöhîm אֱלֹהִים GOD.” [5] If God does not take drastic measures at times, people will not change.
The Psalmist prayed, “Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but to Your Name give glory, because of Your mercy, because of Your truth. Why should the Gentiles say, ‘So where is their God?’ But our God is in heaven; He does whatever He pleases. Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands. They have mouths, but they do not speak; eyes they have, but they do not see; they have ears, but they do not hear; noses they have, but they do not smell; they have hands, but they do not handle; feet they have, but they do not walk; nor do they mutter through their throat. Those who make them are like them; so is everyone who trusts in them.” [6]
God created us for His glory. That is a good thing! He made us well. Properly functioning, in a relationship with Him, this happens. We should not frustrate the grace of God by leaning on objects or people who are not God. Turn to Him! Call upon Him! Love God! He does amazing things as we love Him and seek to bring Him glory!
The Psalmist testified of the Lord’s faithfulness, saying, “Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; yes, our God is merciful. The Lord preserves the simple; I was brought low, and He saved me. Return to your rest, O my soul, for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you. For You have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, and my feet from falling. I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living.” [7]
The Lord could have delivered Ahaziah from death if he had turned to Him. He could have had a wonderful testimony about the Lord to share with others. The Lord is good at making messages out of messes.
The Lord blesses us! Let us bless Him!
“He [God] will bless those who fear the Lord, both small and great. May the Lord give you increase more and more, you and your children. May you be blessed by the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” “We will bless the Lord from this time forth and forevermore. Praise the Lord!” [8]
[1] 2 Kings 1:1-4
[2] 2 Kings 1:5-6
[3] 2 Kings 1:7-15
[4] 2 Kings 1:16-17
[5] Psalm 55:19
[6] Psalm 115:1-8
[7] Psalm 116:5-9
[8] Psalm 115:13-15, 18
The king was angry at Elijah. He sent a captain with 50 men to arrest him, but fire came down from heaven and consumed them. The king sent another captain and 50 men, and they too were consumed by fire from heaven. The king sent a third group of soldiers, but this time, their captain fell on his knees and pleaded with Elijah to let his life and the life of his men be precious in his sight. So, the Lord sent Elijah with them to the king. [3]
Elijah said to the king, “Thus says the Lord: because you have sent messengers to inquire of Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron, is it because there is no God in Israel to inquire of His Word? Therefore, you shall not come down from the bed to which you have gone up, but you shall surely die.” “ So Ahaziah died according to the Word of the Lord which Elijah had spoken...” [4]
God is gracious and longsuffering, but ultimately judges His betrayers who lead others astray from Him. Ahaziah was such a leader.
The Psalmist wrote by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, declaring a truth: “Ël אֵל GOD shall hear, and afflict them, even He that abides of old. Selà סֶלָה. Because they have no changes, therefore they fear not Élöhîm אֱלֹהִים GOD.” [5] If God does not take drastic measures at times, people will not change.
The Psalmist prayed, “Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but to Your Name give glory, because of Your mercy, because of Your truth. Why should the Gentiles say, ‘So where is their God?’ But our God is in heaven; He does whatever He pleases. Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands. They have mouths, but they do not speak; eyes they have, but they do not see; they have ears, but they do not hear; noses they have, but they do not smell; they have hands, but they do not handle; feet they have, but they do not walk; nor do they mutter through their throat. Those who make them are like them; so is everyone who trusts in them.” [6]
God created us for His glory. That is a good thing! He made us well. Properly functioning, in a relationship with Him, this happens. We should not frustrate the grace of God by leaning on objects or people who are not God. Turn to Him! Call upon Him! Love God! He does amazing things as we love Him and seek to bring Him glory!
The Psalmist testified of the Lord’s faithfulness, saying, “Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; yes, our God is merciful. The Lord preserves the simple; I was brought low, and He saved me. Return to your rest, O my soul, for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you. For You have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, and my feet from falling. I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living.” [7]
The Lord could have delivered Ahaziah from death if he had turned to Him. He could have had a wonderful testimony about the Lord to share with others. The Lord is good at making messages out of messes.
The Lord blesses us! Let us bless Him!
“He [God] will bless those who fear the Lord, both small and great. May the Lord give you increase more and more, you and your children. May you be blessed by the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” “We will bless the Lord from this time forth and forevermore. Praise the Lord!” [8]
[1] 2 Kings 1:1-4
[2] 2 Kings 1:5-6
[3] 2 Kings 1:7-15
[4] 2 Kings 1:16-17
[5] Psalm 55:19
[6] Psalm 115:1-8
[7] Psalm 116:5-9
[8] Psalm 115:13-15, 18
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