"We are not doing right'

In 2 Kings 7:9 is this confession from a group of lepers, "We are not doing right." From verse 3 until now is a story of 4 lepers that quickly unfolds, bringing them to this thought. All together they were having the time of their lives going from place to place just ecstatic about what they had discovered, selfishly carrying away new found treasures, keeping the spoil all to themselves. Then, suddenly without anyone calling them into account, their minds were jolted by the realization that their actions and attitudes were wrong. Their acts of selfishness, greed and their silence got to them. Does this happen to you? It has to me.

The remainder of verse 9 tells us more, "This is a day of good news, but we are keeping silent: if we wait until morning light, punishment will overtake us. Now therefore come, let us go and tell the king's household." Rejoicing in this great treasure with their lives being spared, how could they go on like this and keep silent? Their motivation for doing the right thing can be debated, and it might have been fear of getting found out, but at least they did the right thing. The king's household desperately needed 'good news.'

"I rejoice at Thy word, as one who finds great spoil," Psalm 119:162. Through our study of Elijah and Elisha we've found great treasures. In His Word we find life giving power, mercy and redemption. We find 'good news,' that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world (Luke 2:11), and if you believe in Him you will be given eternal life (Matthew 3:36), a life of purpose, meaning and power.

What's right?
Is it silence?
Is it waiting until morning light? or....
Is it going and telling 'the kings household' about the treasure, the treasure found in God's Word?

"open his eyes"

It was early in the morning. The attendant who served the man of God got up and went out. I'm sure he anticipated the pleasantness of fresh air and the wonder of a new day. He certainly did not expect what he was about to see, an unfriendly army of chariots and horses surrounding the city. Fearful and in a state of shock, he runs to his master, Elisha, saying with an uncertainty of their fate "What shall we do?"

"Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than who are with them." These words in 1 Kings 6:16 were Elisha's response. What could Elisha see that the attendant couldn't? The attendant saw no one there to protect them from this mighty, well prepared enemy. With compassion for his attendant and unwavering trust in the Lord, Elisha turns to speak to the One he knows can open the eyes of this concerned companion. "O Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see." And, in fact the Lord opened the servant's eyes. He saw the surrounding mountain "full of horses and chariots of fire" all around them. He saw that they were protected, secure and would be cared for. His fear miraculously removed, the day took another incredible turn. This time it was through his eyes being opened to God's presence, power and pleasure in helping those who turn to Him.

Each Tuesday evening, before opening our Bibles we prayed together the words from Psalm 119:18. Also, in preparation for what God would show us in His Word we sang these precious words penned in 1896 by Emily May Grimes when serving as a missionary in South Africa; "Speak Lord in the stillness, while I wait on Thee; Hushed my heart to listen in expectancy." 

What shall we do?  Go to Him in expectancy. Confess our inadequacy and acknowledge God's sufficiency. Ask Him to open our eyes, to show us in His Word through the power of the Holy Spirit wonderful things, things that will cause us to "continue to find inspiration to trust in Him and to live faithfully every day." (Quoted from Faith Alive Christian Resources)  . 

"I wish"

Almost hidden in Chapter 5 of 2 Kings is this, "I wish that my master were with the prophet who is in Samaria. Then he would cure him of his leprosy." Words from a little girl taken by the Arameans in a raid on the border with Israel. Captive in a foreign land yet the Lord had this youngster in just the right place. As a servant of the army captain's wife this girl expresses compassion towards her master, Naaman.

A highly respected, valiant, victorious warrior, yet he was a leper. Could victory over this dreaded disease even be considered possible? Interestingly, the young servant girl was amazingly confident that her master the leper could be cured. Naaman shares her insight with his friend the king of Aram who responds without hesitation, "Go now." What follows are intriguing interactions with the king of Israel, Elisha and others that lead Naaman to the place where God could do His work, a place where he would come to know the one true God.

His leprosy gone and his heart committed to worshiping the Lord, he heads home but not before stopping to stand before Elisha to tell what he now knows and to express his gratefulness. It's in the15th verse as Naaman is testifying, that the words of the young girl, "I wish," became so significant, so captivating. Dee pointed out that the little Israeli girl had undoubtedly been taught the truths of the Lord in her home before she was taken captive. The girl's parents, who were diligent in teaching her, may never have known how their little one was used by God in such a great way. What an encouragement for us as believers to be faithful in spreading God's truths-even though we may never see the fruit.

Before getting in the car with her husband to go pick up their two young daughters, Sharon was imagining the far reaching effects of Naaman returning home as a changed man. "Don't you just wish we knew the rest of the story!"

"It is well"

Faced with questions about her husband, her son and herself the Shunammite woman answers in a way that is curious, "It is well." "Did I mention that just a few hours earlier her son, after being carried into the house from their fields sick, died in her arms?  Her soul is troubled within her" reveals Elisha in v.27 of 2 Kings 4.

Could I, like the Shunammite woman, say "it is well" when what seems most precious is taken from me? Promised by Elisha that she would embrace a son and now this. Why? Questions like this are difficult to answer, aren't they? It's what we see here in her response to the questions that intrigues me.

Looking at the complete picture of this woman in verses 8 through 37 we find insight into her character, her strength and her resolve. Immediately she puts her son on the bed where Elisha rested when visiting. Then she hurriedly leaves the house and gets to Mt. Carmel in search of the man of God, Elisha. Troubled, yet single minded and in control, this woman confidently knows where to turn for help. What an illustration of the kind of faith James describes in the first 8 verses of his book! A faith that has no doubt that God will respond. A faith that although tested is enduring and reveals that she remains complete, lacking in nothing.

This kind of faith is expressed so beautifully in the words penned by Horatio G.Spafford. "When peace like a river attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll; whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, it is well, it is well with my soul. A curious answer from a troubled, broken heart? Yes. However, it is a response telling us that deep inside she knows with a dependence on and trust in God, it is well!

"but a slight thing"

Don't you get the feeling sometimes that things just seem impossible? It's just not going to happen. You might think, these people will never change. Or, it won't get done, period. In 2 Kings 3 there are 3 kings about to fight against rebellious Moab. However, after traveling a week they find themselves without water for their armies and livestock. It's not going to happen; we are doomed reveals the king of Israel.

The king of Judah was not of the same mind. He called on the word of the Lord. Amazingly Elisha, the one who "used to pour water on the hands of Elijah," just happened to be reachable. The Lord spoke through Elisha giving them instructions to make the valley "full of  trenches." Seems like too much effort doesn't it. I mean, according to the helpless king of Israel, this is a lost cause. But then came the promise of water and victory. The thirsty armies, without any water to keep them going, must first dig trenches all over the hot, dry valley that lay between them and the Moabites. All the Lord had to do was mysteriously fill the trenches with water without them seeing rain and give the well prepared Moabites into their hand. Elisha emphatically speaks these profound words (verse 18), "this is but a slight thing in the sight of the Lord."

It's not impossible. To God, it's "but a slight thing." Jesus speaking to His disciples about entering the kingdom of heaven says, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible," Matt. 19:26. When the angel of the Lord was speaking to Mary about the Holy Spirit coming upon her and that even Elizabeth in her old age was going to bare a son, the angel said, "nothing will be impossible with God," Luke1:37. Scripture promises and shows us that the Lord uses His divine power to bless us, to meet our needs. Believing this, I simply have to get ready, that is be willing to dig the trenches.

"I have purified these waters"

"I have purified these waters; there shall not be from there death or unfruitfulness any longer." Strong, emphatic and significant words of permanent change and cleansing heard at the spring of water outside Jericho. Found in 2 Kings 2:21, the Lord responds with compassion to help those in need, a place that was unfruitful, suffering.

This is what God does! He changes us. He purifies us. He gives us life. The men of the city actively participated by submitting to Elisha's request for a new jar and salt. They had gone to Elisha recognizing their own inadequacies to solve their problem. Their water was polluted causing sickness and death. Their land was unnourished and unproductive. So a new jar is the instrument in God's hand, the salt is the symbol of purification and the power is God's alone. It was His power that changed and purified the waters allowing them to be fruitful.

Psalm 51:10 expresses clearly the writer's desire to be changed; "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me." As I draw near to the Lord with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, I'm promised in Hebrews 10:22 that the pure water of God's Word will wash my heart clean from its impurities. He alone purified the waters. He alone can purify me.

"Is it because?"

I need answers, hope, something to cling to. Maybe I should turn to Facebook, Google it or find some book that might have answers for me. Frustration caused by circumstances not going his way, the king of Israel, brought before us in the first chapter of 2Kings, sends messengers to find out if he would recover from a sickness that came upon him after a bad fall. His situation is not the issue. It's where he was going for answers.

Why was he seeking answers where there woud be none? Why? The angel of the lord sent Elijah to inquire, "Is it because there is no God in Israel?" Sitting around the room under lamplight with our Bibles open, this question repeated 3 times made us question where we go for answers; whom do we turn to when there are issues in our life?  The words of Jesus recorded in the 6th chapter of Matthew remind us that our heavenly Father knows what we need. "But, seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." Do you get what is being said?  Stop the craziness! The Lord wants His people to turn first to Him, to seek answers and direction from His word, to depend on Him.

The God of Israel spoke to the exiles in Babylon through the prophet Jeremiah telling them that He knew what was ahead for them, that he would restore them, give them hope. What did He ask?  "Call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart" (Jerimiah 29:12-13).

"a vegetable garden"

That's all the king of Israel wanted, a vegetable garden. The owner wouldn't let him trade for it or buy it. So the king becomes sullen, downcast, wouldn't eat, nothing. In chapter 21 of 1Kings we see the selfish, self centered ways of this pathetic King move us quickly into the middle of a very dark plot simply because he wasn't getting his way. Then deception, false testimony and a brutal killing occurs. All for a vegetable garden?

Yes, Ahab got the garden. But, Elijah had his number and the price that was to be paid was high. Finding the king in his newly possessed garden, Elijah reveals to him the word of the Lord. Among other things, this evil man and his conniving wife would definitely not experience a royal burial at the end of their days. Ahab's foolish ways drove many in Israel to sin, provoking the Lord to anger. The damage was irrefutable. A part of verse 25 reads, "there was no one like Ahab." Pathetic! Why then would the Lord even consider withholding punishment from this evil king?

The Lord God declares in Ezekiel 33:11, "I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked turn from his way and live." Psalm 111:4 reads, "The Lord is gracious and compassionate." Amazingly, He offers undeserved grace to Ahab. Thinking about what I've done that deserves just punishment, the Lord brings me to the place where I too see it. I see my self centerdness, my ambition to have what I want no matter what, no matter who gets hurt. It's there, as a turn toward Him in repentance, that the Lord compassionately, mercifully offers His grace - a gift of grace that brings to me a new heart, a new spirit, new life (Ezekiel 36:25-27).

"into the wilderness"

Running exuberantly southeast to the town of Jezreel , then running fearfully for his life south to Beersheba, Elijah is found in chapter 19 (vs.4) of 1Kings under a broom tree in the wilderness. Worn out, depressed and feeling quite alone he says to the Lord, "It is enough."  What happened?

We discussed this at length Tuesday evening after some of us enjoyed soup together around the table while the rest arrived. Many thoughts were expressed concerning the reasons Elijah ran, what he was feeling in the wilderness and what God was doing in all this (1Kings 19:1-14). Our eyes were opened to the reality of how human Elijah was; experiencing the miraculous "fire of the Lord" on Mt. Carmel, then totally at a low point in his life in the wilderness; in a cave. Overwhelmed by our circumstances, we too can find ourselves in a cave. It doesn't seem to matter what's gone on before.

Would God let Elijah be; defeated, feeling alone in the wilderness, tucked away in a cave? Starting in 1Kings 19:5, we find answers. First, shade of a broom tree for rest; then food and water for nourishment and strength; then the word of the Lord comes, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" Then a gentle whisper, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" Among the most beloved verses in the New Testament are the words of Jesus found in Matthew 11:28-29. He spoke, "Come to Me all you who are weary and heavy-laden and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you shall find rest for your souls."

In the wilderness, like Elijah, we can hear that gentle whisper that brings us out of the cave. God's word invites us to come to Him, to listen and to accept His promise of relief from our burdens, His promise of security, eternal life and rest - rest for our souls.

"no one paid attention"

Perhaps "he is occupied or gone aside, or is on a journey, or perhaps he is asleep and needs to be awakened."  450 prophets calling out loudly, leaping and doing whatever to see if the one they wanted would answer.  "There was no voice, no one answered and no one paid attention."  Imagine that!

Reading in the 18th chapter of 1Kings (starting in vs 25), we see this picture of men pleading for someone to answer, someone who is not there.  In contrast, Elijah calls on the Lord (vs.36-37), "Answer me, O Lord, answer me, that this people may know that You are God."  Hearing Elijah, the Lord answers showing Himself in a miraculous way.  What do we learn from this; about where we should go for answers, about the reality of God listening?

Like so many, I am certainly guilty of seeking answers in the wrong places and from the wrong people - where no one pays attention, no one is home.  Maybe it's God whom I should consistently be turning to for direction in my life, for answers on how to bring up my children, for wisdom and understanding?  Can I be as confident as Elijah that the Lord will hear me and answer?  Vs.30-37 give us a description of Elijah's careful preparation and humble response to God's word.  There is something to that.  Then we read how he calls on the Lord for His will (not Elijah's) to be done.

We're invited to ask, seek and knock, to go to our Father in heaven for answers (Matt.7:7); to go expectantly to His Word.  And then, part of Matt.7:8 reads "to him who knocks it will be opened."

"How long will you hesitate?"

The interaction between the government employee, Obediah, and Elijah in chapter 18 of the first book of Kings lets us in on a conversation that challenges Obediah to trust the God whom he 'feared greatly.' He was doing just fine. He was a good person; he was a trusted employee; he was faithful.  Now, suddenly someone comes along gets in his face and challenges him (vs.8). How did he react to this?  Certainly, this challenge was not what Mr. O had in mind.  How long would he hesitate?

The interaction between the people of Israel living in the waterless Samaria and Elijah (vs.21) shows us one who followed God's direction getting in the face of those who were hesitant, hesitant to change direction, reluctant to believe in the one and only true God.  "How long will you hesitate between two opinions?"  First Obediah is confronted, now there is a confrontation with Israel and those who teach something other than what Elijah believes is truth.  Fear gript Obediah. Indifference seems to be the reaction of the people.

Many of us hesitate in making a decision about which way to turn, about where to put our trust, about who to listen to. Does the fascinating picture of Obediah, then Israel, in front of Elijah in this book of Kings say something to you and me?  Is this the time to change direction, to step up, to trust in the one true God?  Proverbs 3:5&6 tells me to not trust my own understanding, to trust in the Lord with all my heart. It tells me to seek God at every turn, to change the selfish, windy (like curvy) self directed road I am headed down.  Jeremiah writes, in Jer.6:16 about asking God which way to go, to trust that He knows the best way for me to turn, the best path to walk down.  Jeremiah even says to not hesitate, that is to follow His leading, to step out, to "walk in it."

How long will I hesitate?

"Now, I know"

Assurance.  Full confidence, surety, certainty, free from doubt.  Paul writes about assurance in his letter to the Romans (chapter 11); "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen."

The brook supplying water to Elijah had dried up, 1Kings 17:7.  It was time to move on.  With assurance that God would provide, Elijah goes to find the widow that God has commanded will provide for him.  One problem; this widow has basically nothing to share.  There has been no rain, so no grain to make flour and only drops of oil remaining.  Why in the world would God send Elijah here?  Why would He?  As the story progresses the Sidonian woman, although having been cared for, expresses doubts about why.  Even Elijah wonders as he wrestles with the situation upstairs, away from everything.

The remainder of 1Kings 17 from the 7th verse on is where we spent our time together this Tuesday evening.  Reading that the Lord increased the flour in her bowl and the oil in her jar, we came to understand that God provides when first we put our trust in Him, Matt. 6:33.  What struck me the most in this situation?  It was this moment when the widow says "Now, I know"!  Seeing the one that was so dear to her come down the stairs and being returned into her arms alive, this happy mom exclaims, " Now I know that you (Elijah) are a man of God and that the word of the Lord from your mouth is truth."

Are you sure?  Are you free from doubt?  Can you say "Now, I know the word of the Lord is Truth"?  If this cannot be said, as it couldn't be said by the widow previously, be encouraged through this chapter in 1Kings.  Proverbs 3:5-6 is a passages in Scripture that assures me that as I seek to understand His Word and take steps to trust Him, God directs my way and gives me this full confidence.

"before whom I stand"

Suddenly (it appears)-Elijah is standing before the king over Israel, Ahab, declaring that in fact he is standing before the Lord, the living God of Israel.  What was he thinking?  This was the king, the one who "did more to provoke the God of Israel than all the kings of Israel who were before him," 1Kings 16:33.  Then, Elijah tells Ahab that there will be no more rain until he says so!  Far out! Rather presumptuous (it seems).

As we opened our Bibles and started reading the first verse of chapter 17 in 1 Kings, this interaction between Elijah and Ahab was seen as familiar to some.  But, had it been previously understood or clearly seen in its context?   How could Elijah be so bold and sure of himself?  Was he completely removed from reality; I mean really, who can control the rain?  Deut. 28:1-2 and verse 12 helps us see the reasons for all this.  What had Ahab done to bring about this sudden change in the weather?  Reading 1Kings 16:29-33 in light of what God spoke to the Israelites at the foot of Mt. Sinai, recorded in the first 6 verses of Exodus 20, gives us answers.

What follows in verses 2-6 gives us insight into who was giving Elijah direction, whom he depended on and trusts.  Should this prompt me to ask, "Does my life reflect that I completely put my trust in the Lord, the living God?"  1 Kings 17:1 prompts me to ask;
"Before whom do I stand?"