Sick in Samaria (2 Kings 2)

Introduction

· Let’s go ahead and turn to our sermon text this morning, which is 2 Kings 1. We have been studying the life and ministry of the prophet Elijah. He was a prophet of God, a spokesman who would often give divine messages. I have heard the prophets sometimes referred to as CEOs, i.e. Covenant Enforcement Officers. Like spiritual policemen. They often did not give new revelation so much as re-enforce what had already been given by God in the Torah through Moses at Sinai. It was their job to remind the people of the law, to enforce it, and to warn of divine judgment for ignoring it.

Ahaziah’s Fall

· Read vv. 1-2

· In 1868, a German missionary was traveling in Moab and discovered a heavy slab of polished black Basalt with an inscription on it. Became known as the Moabite Stele. It is now on display in the Louvre Museum in Paris. Looks a little bit like a rounded tombstone. Stands nearly 4’ high and contains 34 lines of Semitic writing. In it, King Mesha of Moab celebrates his god Chemosh and declares victory over Israel. It is a find of tremendous historical and biblical significance. It has been dated to 850 BC and describes this very event mentioned in 2 Kings 1. It lists at least 15 sites mentioned in the Old Testament, and shows us how other nations were worshiping false gods at the time Yahweh ruled over Israel. This little historical detail in v. 1 shows that the nation of Israel is tearing apart at the seams, and even weaker nations that once paid tribute in the days of David and Solomon are declaring their independence.

· Ahaziah’s fall. Pretty embarrassing. This is a king’s worst nightmare. A king dreams of expanding his dominion, trading with foreign powers, and building a great army and fleet. Instead, Ahaziah is lying in bed, his body broken, and along with it, all of his dreams and ambitions shattered. Had only ruled two years. Some kings are immortalized with a bronze statue of standing tall, or sitting on a battle horse. What kind of statue would they erect for Ahaziah? A man falling out of his second story window? Naturally, as he lies in bed, he wonders, am I going to get better?

· So he does the unthinkable. Consults Baal-zebub.

· Read vv. 3-8. Elijah’s curse.

· This fall is an opportunity for the king to repent under discipline. Background on Ahaziah. See 1 Kings 22:51-53. The apple has not fallen far from the tree. He follows in his father’s footsteps in idolatry and paganism. Now will he follow his dad’s repentance?

The Three Messengers

· Read vv. 9-10. The king says, “Come down!”

· Power to call down fire. God had of course done this before when he answered Elijah’s prayer and sent down fire to consume the altar and sacrifice on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18).

· In Luke 9, Jesus told the disciples to go into Samaria and prepare for his arrival. When the people did not receive him, James and John offered to send down fire. “Lord, do you want us to tell fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” But he turned and rebuked them. They were all to eager to send down divine judgment, particularly upon their sworn enemies, the Samaritans. No wonder they were nicknamed by Jesus the “sons of Thunder” (Mk. 3:17).

· There’s been a few times I would have liked this power! This is a power some of us would like to use today but would no doubt abuse it.

· Elijah here seems to be saying, “You call me a man of God. If what you are saying is true, then you are in no position to make demands. I serve the maker of heaven and earth and will not be intimidated by your pathetic little platoon of soldiers.”

· I believe this passage sheds some light on another story in the next chapter, where 42 small boys mock the prophet Elisha. They shout out, “Go up, you baldhead! Go up, you baldhead!” So Elisha calls down a curse, and two mama bears come out and rip them apart limb from limb. Neither Elijah nor Elisha are having a temper tantrum because their feelings got hurt. They are divine messengers, illustrating that God is holy, and deserves our worship and respect. He will not be mocked. You salute your authority; you don’t sneer at them.

· The first group never show back up to King Ahaziah because they have been incinerated. So the king dispatches a second unit of soldiers…

· Read vv. 11-12. This captain is even more belligerent. “This is the kings order…quickly!” I command you, get down here now!

· God’s judgment is swift and severe. Emphatic in v. 12 “the fire of God came down.” CSB “a divine fire came down.” NET Bible says “an intense fire.” God’s judgment is even more severe than the first.

· Read vv. 13-15. A different approach.

· LIFE LESSON: We are never in a position to make demands of God. We can ask him, beseech him, but we can never tell him what to do.

· A lesson in peacemaking. It is easy to escalate a situation. We often do it by raising our voices, as though the other person is hard of hearing, and raising our volume is going to solve the problem. Does that ever work? It takes skill to dial it down. Mt. 5:9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” Rehearse the facts. Make an appeal. A soft answer turns away wrath.

· This time, at the captain’s request, Elijah consents and goes with him to meet the king to deliver the same message face-to-face.

Elijah Curses the King

· Read vv. 16-18. Elijah speaks with Ahaziah. This indictment has now been repeated three times (1:3-4, 6, 16)

· Consulting Beelzebub. Baal worship of course has spread throughout the land like a plague. The title Baal-zebub is mentioned only here in the OT. (1:2, 3, 6, 16). In the NT it is Beelzebul as a reference for Satan, the ring leader of demons. Mt. 10:25; 12:24, 27. Baal-zebub may have been a play on words and a mockery of “Beelzebul – Prince Baal” or “Exalted Baal.” Instead, the Hebrews may have called him the “Lord of the Flies.” Baal-zebub in Ekron, one of the five Philistine cities. Shocking. Hardness of man’s heart. Suppressing the truth and avoiding the obvious.

· Discipline was an opportunity to humble himself and trust God as his father had done. Remember back in 1 Kings 21:27 And when Ahab heard those words, he tore his clothes and put sackcloth on his flesh and fasted and lay in sackcloth and went about dejectedly.

· Instead, Ahaziah consults a pagan god, and only further hardens his heart.

· LIFE LESSON: Trials will either Humble You, or Harden You.

· What do trials do to you? How do you respond to pain? What is your reaction when things don’t go your way? Is your first response to grumble and complain? To blame God or scramble for help? Many of us are willing to look anywhere but up for help. Or is your response to ask, “Lord, what would you have me learn from this? What are you trying to teach me? How can I glorify you in this trial? I was not expecting it, but clearly it is part of your will.”

· Listen to the words of Hebrews 12. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed. Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.

· When you experience trials and affliction, you have only two options. Humble yourself, or be further hardened. Which will it be? A trial is like heat. It can melt a stick of butter, but it can also harden a lump of clay.

· Psalm 119:67 Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep your word. V. 71 It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes.

· Trust in Christ today, and having trusted, look to God in both the hard times and the easy times.