2 Kings 1
Today's Passage: 2 Kings 1
As we have concluded 1st Kings and begin 2nd Kings, it would be great to refresh ourselves with the story so far and to understand our current place in the story of the Kings. Take a few moments and watch the Bible Project book overview on 1st and 2nd Kings.
https://youtu.be/bVFW3wbi9pk?si=CscEdLfVUR4-k9Of
In yesterday’s reading, Ahab died. He was succeeded by his son, Ahaziah. After an injury, Ahaziah sought wisdom from Samarian gods rather than the Lord. The Word of the Lord came to Elijah, and he sent the king’s messengers back with a rebuke.
It’s here that we see one of those curious Old Testament moments that seem a little hard to explain or justify—because it is brutal. Twice, the king sent a captain with 50 men to retrieve the prophet saying, “O man of God, the king says, ‘Come down.’” Both times, Elijah responded, “If I am a man of God, let fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty.” It may seem that a simple “yes” or “no” would have sufficed; but instead, fire reigned down and lit up these hundred men.
To my modern sensibilities, it’s hard not to read this encounter and thing this was a little excessive. Did the punishment really fit the crime? Well, let’s examine what crime was really committed.
When the two captains arrived, they spoke to Elijah in three phrases: 1. “O man of God,” 2. “the king says,” 3. “Come down.” If there is one attribute of God that shines ahead of the rest, it must be God’s holiness. He is entirely “set apart” from all of Creation. The glory of his holiness demands recognition. These captains acknowledge Elijah as a man of God, but without any of the honor and glory due God’s holy name. It appears nothing more than a meaningless title to them. They show up in force, in hubris, caring more about the word of their king than the Word of the Lord. Then, they issue their command to come down—believing they have the right and power to bully God’s man into compliance. They were devastatingly wrong on many levels.
Elijah’s response played out the hypothetical of phrase 1, “If I am a man of God [as you say]…” The third captain is the only one who approached with the healthy fear and respect due a “man of God.” His approach acknowledged God’s power and is much more akin to others we see in Scripture as they encounter heavenly beings—with fear.
Three questions based on these observations, first, is God’s holiness honored and glorified in your life. The weight of his majesty and “set-apart-ness” should invade and impact every aspect of our lives. Yet, have you sought his face in prayer today? Are your relationships and interactions consistent with his heart?
Second question, do you prioritize “the king’s” words over the Lord’s? In other words, who are you looking to for answers, authority, advice? What place does worldly wisdom have in your heart and mind?
Finally, in what ways are you issuing the orders in your life versus bowing down before the Lord? We all tend to want to manage and control our affairs and struggle to trust the Lord. Have you surrendered your plans to him? If the Lord says, “no” in certain areas of your life, is he no longer good in your eyes? Is there anything that if the Lord added or took from your life, that would cause you to leave him behind?
These are hard questions. We must all count the cost. But God is good and He is just.
Written By: Tyler Short
As we have concluded 1st Kings and begin 2nd Kings, it would be great to refresh ourselves with the story so far and to understand our current place in the story of the Kings. Take a few moments and watch the Bible Project book overview on 1st and 2nd Kings.
https://youtu.be/bVFW3wbi9pk?si=CscEdLfVUR4-k9Of
In yesterday’s reading, Ahab died. He was succeeded by his son, Ahaziah. After an injury, Ahaziah sought wisdom from Samarian gods rather than the Lord. The Word of the Lord came to Elijah, and he sent the king’s messengers back with a rebuke.
It’s here that we see one of those curious Old Testament moments that seem a little hard to explain or justify—because it is brutal. Twice, the king sent a captain with 50 men to retrieve the prophet saying, “O man of God, the king says, ‘Come down.’” Both times, Elijah responded, “If I am a man of God, let fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty.” It may seem that a simple “yes” or “no” would have sufficed; but instead, fire reigned down and lit up these hundred men.
To my modern sensibilities, it’s hard not to read this encounter and thing this was a little excessive. Did the punishment really fit the crime? Well, let’s examine what crime was really committed.
When the two captains arrived, they spoke to Elijah in three phrases: 1. “O man of God,” 2. “the king says,” 3. “Come down.” If there is one attribute of God that shines ahead of the rest, it must be God’s holiness. He is entirely “set apart” from all of Creation. The glory of his holiness demands recognition. These captains acknowledge Elijah as a man of God, but without any of the honor and glory due God’s holy name. It appears nothing more than a meaningless title to them. They show up in force, in hubris, caring more about the word of their king than the Word of the Lord. Then, they issue their command to come down—believing they have the right and power to bully God’s man into compliance. They were devastatingly wrong on many levels.
Elijah’s response played out the hypothetical of phrase 1, “If I am a man of God [as you say]…” The third captain is the only one who approached with the healthy fear and respect due a “man of God.” His approach acknowledged God’s power and is much more akin to others we see in Scripture as they encounter heavenly beings—with fear.
Three questions based on these observations, first, is God’s holiness honored and glorified in your life. The weight of his majesty and “set-apart-ness” should invade and impact every aspect of our lives. Yet, have you sought his face in prayer today? Are your relationships and interactions consistent with his heart?
Second question, do you prioritize “the king’s” words over the Lord’s? In other words, who are you looking to for answers, authority, advice? What place does worldly wisdom have in your heart and mind?
Finally, in what ways are you issuing the orders in your life versus bowing down before the Lord? We all tend to want to manage and control our affairs and struggle to trust the Lord. Have you surrendered your plans to him? If the Lord says, “no” in certain areas of your life, is he no longer good in your eyes? Is there anything that if the Lord added or took from your life, that would cause you to leave him behind?
These are hard questions. We must all count the cost. But God is good and He is just.
Written By: Tyler Short
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