Click to read 2 Kings 13
Synopsis
Two more father-son kings of Israel, Jehoahaz and Jehoash, continued the sinful practices of Jeroboam and brought the nation deep into sin continually. Still when Jehoahaz sought God's favor to deliver them from the king of Aram, He did. But instead of repenting, they continued to rebel against God.
Jehoash also sought Elisha's blessings before the prophet died. Elisha prophesied that Jehoash would defeat the Aramites but only three times as he had struck the arrow only three times instead of more.
Major verses
V3 - 6 - God was angry at Jehoahaz and Israel for continuing the evil practices of Jeroboam in pagan worship. He made the Aramites to punish Israel. Still, when Jehoahaz asked God to deliver them, He graciously did. Yet the nation did not repent but continued to worship idols and the Asherah pole remained standing in Samaria.
What I learn
Despite man's failures and unfaithfulness, God is always gracious and willing to forgive and help those who turn to Him. We will never know how much it cost for Jesus to take all our sins as He hung on the cross but that He did all for the love of us. As God delivers us from our pit, let us not turn against Him by continuing in sin. Instead, let us respond to His love by wanting to live for Him and not to hurt Him by turning His love away.
V11, 14 - 19 - Jehoash did as much evil as his father even after seeing God's deliverance of the nation against the Aramites. Still, he sought God's help by seeking out Elisha, who before his death, proclaimed that God would help Israel to defeat the Aramites and that God did. When Elisha asked Jehoash to strike the ground with the arrows, representing the battles with Aram, Jehoash struck it only three times when Elisha had expected that he would struck if vehemently, representing Israel's desire to defeat their oppressors. Because Jehoash only struck it three times, Elisha proclaimed that he would defeat the Aramites only three times instead of eliminating them completely.
What I learn
God's grace continued on Israel because of His promise to Abraham. Though the Israelites continued in sin, God still wanted to deliver them. However, Jehoash was less than "enthusiastic" about doing the job. This was manifested in his lack of zeal to strike the arrows on the ground. When we go about doing God's work, we must do it with a focus and an enthusiastic attitude ... give Him all we have and all our best effort.
Summary
God is gracious and faithful to His children always. Let us not hurt Him by turning away from Him or continuing in sin. Jesus paid for our sins with His own life. We will never know how much it cost for our sins to be washed away as Jesus hung on the cross. Let us be determined to love Him and serve Him wholeheartedly.
Please contribute to this study by sharing your learning and comments ....
Up next ... Let's examine and learn from king Amaziah of Judah and king Jeroboam II of Israel next Monday (23rd June)
Synopsis
Two more father-son kings of Israel, Jehoahaz and Jehoash, continued the sinful practices of Jeroboam and brought the nation deep into sin continually. Still when Jehoahaz sought God's favor to deliver them from the king of Aram, He did. But instead of repenting, they continued to rebel against God.
Jehoash also sought Elisha's blessings before the prophet died. Elisha prophesied that Jehoash would defeat the Aramites but only three times as he had struck the arrow only three times instead of more.
Major verses
V3 - 6 - God was angry at Jehoahaz and Israel for continuing the evil practices of Jeroboam in pagan worship. He made the Aramites to punish Israel. Still, when Jehoahaz asked God to deliver them, He graciously did. Yet the nation did not repent but continued to worship idols and the Asherah pole remained standing in Samaria.
What I learn
Despite man's failures and unfaithfulness, God is always gracious and willing to forgive and help those who turn to Him. We will never know how much it cost for Jesus to take all our sins as He hung on the cross but that He did all for the love of us. As God delivers us from our pit, let us not turn against Him by continuing in sin. Instead, let us respond to His love by wanting to live for Him and not to hurt Him by turning His love away.
V11, 14 - 19 - Jehoash did as much evil as his father even after seeing God's deliverance of the nation against the Aramites. Still, he sought God's help by seeking out Elisha, who before his death, proclaimed that God would help Israel to defeat the Aramites and that God did. When Elisha asked Jehoash to strike the ground with the arrows, representing the battles with Aram, Jehoash struck it only three times when Elisha had expected that he would struck if vehemently, representing Israel's desire to defeat their oppressors. Because Jehoash only struck it three times, Elisha proclaimed that he would defeat the Aramites only three times instead of eliminating them completely.
What I learn
God's grace continued on Israel because of His promise to Abraham. Though the Israelites continued in sin, God still wanted to deliver them. However, Jehoash was less than "enthusiastic" about doing the job. This was manifested in his lack of zeal to strike the arrows on the ground. When we go about doing God's work, we must do it with a focus and an enthusiastic attitude ... give Him all we have and all our best effort.
Summary
God is gracious and faithful to His children always. Let us not hurt Him by turning away from Him or continuing in sin. Jesus paid for our sins with His own life. We will never know how much it cost for our sins to be washed away as Jesus hung on the cross. Let us be determined to love Him and serve Him wholeheartedly.
Please contribute to this study by sharing your learning and comments ....
Up next ... Let's examine and learn from king Amaziah of Judah and king Jeroboam II of Israel next Monday (23rd June)
If we truly count the number of times God has been Patient and more importantly Gracious towards us in the Bible, I wonder what the number is? Can we truly count the cost of His Love now that Christ is here, died, and resurrected to His Rightful place in Heaven? We give thanks for His Grace that our walk can be a submissive one and that He loves us each and every day. Amen
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