September 18 Is There No God?

 2 Kings 1:1 After the death of Ahab, Moab rebelled against Israel. 2 Now Ahaziah fell through the lattice in his upper chamber in Samaria, and lay sick; so he sent messengers, telling them, "Go, inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron, whether I shall recover from this sickness." 3 But the angel of the Lord said to Elijah the Tishbite, "Arise, go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria, and say to them, 'Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron? 4 Now therefore thus says the Lord, You shall not come down from the bed to which you have gone up, but you shall surely die.'" So Elijah went.

WHEN Elijah returned from his "mountain-top" meeting with God as recorded in 1 Kings 19, the Holy Bible records in 1 Kings 20-22 a series of incidents that lead to the death of Israel's King Ahab. God uses other prophets to promise and warn the king of victory and defeat. It is remarkable that God would allow Ahab to have any victories at all, considering his idolatrous worship. But God is also looking after his people. For a time, God protects Israel from foreign rule, but the day came when Ahab faced judgment, and he died on the battlefield.

     Now we come into 2 Kings. Elijah comes back on the scene to respond to God's assignment to rebuke Ahaziah. Ahaziah is Ahab's son and Israel's king. We see he is injured in a fall. To seek healing and comfort from his injury, he instructs his messengers to inquire of the idol Baal-zebub.

    This is a horrid thing to do. Baal-zebub was known as the "fly god". "Lord of the Flies" if you will (Has anyone read the book "Lord of the Flies"? It is a story of evil overcoming boys stranded on an island.) Baal-zebub was considered a "good-luck" charm to drive away flies. Belief in this grew to a point where, as commentator Adam Clarke says, "He grew to be a very respectable devil." Indeed, Jesus even referred to this idol in Matthew 10:25 :It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Baal-zebub (or Beelzebub), how much more will they malign those of his household." Jesus used the term here to refer to Satan. This "fly god" became synonymous with Satan.

    Thus Elijah rebukes Ahaziah for seeking healing in evil. It is a tragedy in our Christian faith that we too often rely on luck, chance and even worldly ways to resolve our problems. We neglect and ignore the God who saves us because we negate his power. Our lack of belief is a form of Satan worship as we trust everything but the only One we can trust.

    God judged Ahaziah's idolatrous request. The king would soon die. Do not let your soul die as a result of neglecting God and seeking comfort away from him.

Prayer: Lord God, you have created all things. Turn our hearts to you in all our requests. In Jesus' name, amen.   


September 19

Humble Approach

2 Kings 1:13-17 Again the king sent the captain of a third fifty with his fifty. And the third captain of fifty went up and came and fell on his knees before Elijah and entreated him, "O man of God, please let my life, and the life of these fifty servants of yours, be precious in your sight. 14 Behold, fire came down from heaven and consumed the two former captains of fifty men with their fifties, but now let my life be precious in your sight." 15 Then the angel of the Lord said to Elijah, "Go down with him; do not be afraid of him." So he arose and went down with him to the king 16 and said to him, "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.'"

17 So he died according to the word of the Lord that Elijah had spoken.

I hope you'll take time to read the first 12 verses of this chapter. In addition to Ahaziah's injury and evil request, you will see God once again protect Elijah from his enemies. As this Scripture passage points out, a captain of 50 men pleaded to Elijah for his life. God had sent a fire to consume two other captains and their 50 men. Those captains demanded Elijah come down and go with them.

    This third captain, though, realizes he is dealing with a man of God. He is fearful of being to brash and demanding. Wisely, he alters his approach and humbly requests "Let my life be precious in your sight." This is admitting Elijah has power in the Lord to do with this man's life as he sees fit. He can either save him or condemn him.

    This God-given power is one reason the Jews were wondering about John the Baptist and Jesus being the re-incarnated Elijah. In several ways Elijah represents a picture of the John and the Christ to come. He carries with him the power of life given to him from God. We have seen him resurrect a boy, offer daily bread to a widow, speak directly with God and call down destruction on his enemies.

    As the three different captains demonstrated, we either go to God with our demands or in humility. Demanding of God will lead to a broken relationship with him. Being humble before God, you are demonstrating a proper fear of God. You know your life is in his hands. You are willing to listen to him and obey his instructions. Such a humble heart leads you to the knowledge of his presence in your life. And as the third captain, you will be saved.

Prayer: Father God, I come to you on my knees. I pray you consider my life as precious in your sight. Create in me a humble heart that I will be faithful to you. In Jesus' name, amen.