IS THERE NO GOD IN ISRAEL?

Passage: 2Kings 1:1~18  

Key verse: 3b


INTRODUCTION TO 2 KINGS

2 Kings continues the history of the period of the monarchy. In chapter 2, Elijah is taken up to heaven in a chariot of fire and his mantle falls on Elisha. Elisha was a man of both spiritual and political influence in Israel. His ministry is described in chapter 8. In chapters 9 and 10, Jehu purges Baal worship from Israel in a bloodbath. But this did not cure the deep-rooted idolatry planted in Israel by Jeroboam, the king who made Israel to sin. The history of Northern Israel became progressively more violent, and idolatry persisted, until, in 722 BC, the Assyrians conquered Samaria. Following their regular colonial policy, they removed the Israelites from their land and brought in many people from other Assyrian colonies. The Israelites were scattered throughout the Assyrian Empire, and Northern Israel came to an end.

The lamp of David continued to burn in Judah, and David's descendants sat on the throne in Jerusalem until the Babylonian conquest in 586 BC. The book of Kings and the period of the monarchy ends with the fall of Jerusalem and the exile to Babylon. After 70 years, the Babylonians were themselves conquered by the Persians, and the Jews were allowed to return and rebuild Jerusalem, but that's another story. We can see here God's faithfulness in spite of man's unfaithfulness.

1. 'Go and consult Baal-Zebub' (1-8)

Ahaziah, king of Israel, had been injured in a fall. He was in pain, but he did not turn to God; he sent messengers to consult Baal. God sent Elijah to intercept the messengers and send them back to the king with a rebuke and bad news. Elijah obeyed. The king did not repent, but sent soldiers to arrest Elijah. Those who become proud and seek solutions from people or things are fools; those who refuse to repent will die.

2. There is a God in Israel! (9-18)

Fire fell from heaven and consumed the soldiers sent by the king to arrest Elijah. This happened twice. The king had no fear of God and no respect for the lives of his men. The captain of the third detachment begged Elijah to respect his life and the lives of his men. Elijah obeyed God and went with him to the king to tell him that he would die because he had despised the God of Israel. The king died.


Prayer: Lord, give me courage to speak your word. Help the people of our land to fear God and repent.

One Word: Is there no God in America?