Sunday Morning Service (II Kings 13)

II Kings 13

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“Kings And Missed Opportunities!” • 8.20.17 • Calvary Christian Fellowship, Sunday Morning Service

Intro

Text

• II Kings 13:1-3 : "In the twenty-third year of Joash the son of Ahaziah, king of Judah, Jehoahaz the son of Jehu became king over Israel in Samaria, and reigned seventeen years. And he did evil in the sight of the Lord, and followed the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who had made Israel sin. He did not depart from them. Then the anger of the Lord was aroused against Israel, and He delivered them into the hand of Hazael king of Syria, and into the hand of Ben-Hadad the son of Hazael, all their days." : In the Northern Kingdom, Jehu's son and successor, Jehoahaz reigned for 17 years, all of which was dominated by doing evil in God's sight.

- His Father Jehu had decided to follow after Jeroboam's religion when he became King, despite God's blessing on his life and warning. Naturally, Jehoahaz follows right in his footsteps.

- The word says that he continually, repeatedly did evil in the sight of the Lord and followed the sins of Jeroboam, which is frequently associated with affording God's people a chance to sin!

- I don't wish to belabor the point, but we have noted charitably, that Jeroboam's religion may have had roots which were thought to be noble, perhaps even a close relation to Judaism.

- The problem isn't in the intention which may have been good. The problem is the foundation! Any problem in the root will show in the fruit: It made Israel sin!

- Any religion that begins with it's adherants satisfaction cannot ever please God! You cannot please God when your aim is to please yourself, which was the bedrock of Jeroboam's religion.

- Beware of what calls to your flesh and caters to your comfort! That cannot make you holy and that cannot please God. Consequently, it wasn't long before the Lord's anger burned against Israel.

- The word picture is of a person whose face is contorted, whose nostrils are flaring through rapid breathing. That anger cannot be expressed without personal investment.

- For all of their rebellion, God remains in loving relation to the Northern Tribes. His love demands that He give them up to the Kings of Syria, Hazael and his son, Ben-Hadad.

- This measure of discipline was intended to force the issue, to create an environment where their supposed gods would be tested against real enemies.

- How will Jehoahaz respond to God's actions against him. He starts well. Verse 4.

• II Kings 13:4,5 : "So Jehoahaz pleaded with the Lord, and the Lord listened to him; for He saw the oppression of Israel, because the king of Syria oppressed them. Then the Lord gave Israel a deliverer, so that they escaped from under the hand of the Syrians; and the children of Israel dwelt in their tents as before." : Have you ever seen a King beg and plead? What a sight this must have been!

- Wow! You mean he didn't plead to Jeroboam's calves? He didn't find help at his false idols?

- It might have been his final recourse after he exhausted every single one of his other resources, but he did call upon the Lord! And in a stunning turn, the Lord listened to his plea!

- He knows what we know about Jehoahaz. God knows that he rejected Him. He is intimately aware of his evil. He knows this and He listened to Jehoahaz!

- Ultimately, His regard for the King was less the concern, as it was the condition of His people that motivated Him. He looked upon their distress at the hands of the Syrian King.

- Before we move on, don't miss what has just been said. We serve a God that hears us when we call to Him, that sees our condition when we are oppressed and is moved to act on our behalf!

- God, by virtue of His own character, had to act on their behalf, because He is a God that Delivers! As in the days of the Judges, God gave Israel a deliverer.

- Literally, God gave Israel a "Savior," a "Yasha!" Depending on who you read, this is either the King of Assyria or Jehoahaz' son, the next King of Israel.

- The effect was that Israel escaped from under the hand of the Syrians and dwelt in safety. That is the colloquailism implied by dwelling in tents.

- Once again, the God of the Bible provides Israel with irrefutable proof of His power and love. Their gods were powerless to help, but with one prayer, the God of Israel moved Heaven and Earth!

- With that knowledge in tow, you'd think that the people would turn to God again. Verse 6.

• II Kings 13:6-9 : "Nevertheless they did not depart from the sins of the house of Jeroboam, who had made Israel sin, but walked in them; and the wooden image also remained in Samaria. For He left of the army of Jehoahaz only fifty horsemen, ten chariots, and ten thousand foot soldiers; for the king of Syria had destroyed them and made them like the dust at threshing. Now the rest of the acts of Jehoahaz, all that he did, and his might, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel? So Jehoahaz rested with his fathers, and they buried him in Samaria. Then Joash his son reigned in his place." : What a frustrating word: Nevertheless! In spite of the evidence of God's favor and blessing.

- Regardless of His grace and mercy, Israel did not depart from the sins that plagued them, but resolved to continue walking in them! Israel didn't learn their lesson.

- They experienced relief, barely said "thank you," walked away from the Lord and right back into their idolatry. How many in our lives have the same testimony?

- They have cried out to the Lord in their time of distress. They admit that He has worked on their behalf in supernatural ways that cannot be denied.

- And then, when the comfort level returns, their hearts return to their own ways!

- The Living God delivered Israel, but they end up back at the wooden statue that they forsook when it was clear that it was powerless!

- Their false god, which they fashioned, was of no help when the pressure came. But now, he is again worthy of their worship? How does that make sense?

- Worship of the true God demands that we conform to His Spirit. Worship of an idol demands that the image conform to our wishes! No wonder they went back! But it was not a good idea!

- The army was decimated to a point of not really being an army at all! Syria's King dusted them! You'd think that they would have seen this and remained with the Lord. They didn't!

- Jehoahaz died and left Joash his son in his place. Verse 10.

• II Kings 13:10-13 : "In the thirty-seventh year of Joash king of Judah, Jehoash the son of Jehoahaz became king over Israel in Samaria, and reigned sixteen years. And he did evil in the sight of the Lord. He did not depart from all the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel sin, but walked in them. Now the rest of the acts of Joash, all that he did, and his might with which he fought against Amaziah king of Judah, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel? So Joash rested with his fathers. Then Jeroboam sat on his throne. And Joash was buried in Samaria with the kings of Israel."  : As if things were not confusing enough, there are now two Kings named Joash! By this time, neither one was any good. He used up his years without moving the needle.

- These three verses sum up his story, but then the author takes us back into a retrospective glance that involves a meeting that he had with Elisha. Verse 14.

• II Kings 13:14-17 : "Elisha had become sick with the illness of which he would die. Then Joash the king of Israel came down to him, and wept over his face, and said, 'O my father, my father, the chariots of Israel and their horsemen!'" Elisha hasn't been seen since Jehu's annointing in chapter 9. It's possible that his absence from the text has been related to his own poor health, which has now brought him to death's door.

- Most scholars believe that Elisha was nearing 100 years old at the time of this writing.

- He is arguably the greatest man of faith in the Old Testament and he is going to succumb to his body's frailty. I guess he didn't believe in naming and claiming health!

- Although we haven't seen him publicly for some time, his fame and influence remain. The King is unashamed to show intense emotion at his visit.

- He's a wicked man, but he remains impressed with Elisha's spiritual prowess. His statement speaks toward the power that Elisha wielded in Israel.

- Chariots and horsemen represented the ancient world's technological advantage over rival enemies. Elisha's ministry was equal to and truly, more effective than that.

- The King mistakenly believes that Elisha has been the source of power. He doesn't acknowledge that it was God's power that was working through him. Verse 15.

• II Kings 13:15-17 : "And Elisha said to him, 'Take a bow and some arrows.' So he took himself a bow and some arrows. Then he said to the king of Israel, 'Put your hand on the bow.' So he put his hand on it, and Elisha put his hands on the king’s hands. And he said, 'Open the east window'; and he opened it. Then Elisha said, 'Shoot'; and he shot. And he said, 'The arrow of the Lord’s deliverance and the arrow of deliverance from Syria; for you must strike the Syrians at Aphek till you have destroyed them.'" : When Elisha asks you to take a bow and arrow, you take a bow and arrow! The King immediately responds.

- This sick prophet got up out of his bed, stood behind him and put his hands upon the King's hands. "It will be as if I was shooting through you."

- The King had lamented Elisha's diminishing life and the power that was leaving Israel. Elisha offers him the experience of some part of that power now.

- To some extent, Elisha is inviting the King to experience God's power through faith. What a gift to reveal to him!

- This relationship with God isn't for the elite. God wants all of His people to experience His power! Jehoash has the privilege of getting his potential first lesson, first hand!

- He's to open the Eastern window, the one that directly pointed to Syria's forces, and he was to shoot. These arrows declared war on Syria and symbolized Israel's deliverance from opporession!

- What a good word! Syria has been a thorn in Israel's side for years. Elisha is giving the King a chance to strike back in faith. He must strike the Syrian force until they have been destroyed.

- His actions in this very moment will determine their fate. Verse 18.

• II Kings 13:18,19 : "Then he said, 'Take the arrows'; so he took them. And he said to the king of Israel, 'Strike the ground'; so he struck three times, and stopped.  And the man of God was angry with him, and said, 'You should have struck five or six times; then you would have struck Syria till you had destroyed it! But now you will strike Syria only three times.'" : Joash took the first arrow with all excitement and shot it into the ground.

- The second arrow felt a little heavier and the bowstring felt a bit more tight as he pulled.

- The third arrow seemed a little redundand, and the King began to realize how many eyes were on him. He struck the three arrows into the ground and he just stopped. Literally, he just stood.

- Consider that for a moment. Why did he just stand there? Did he stop to think about what he was doing? Did he all of sudden doubt the effectiveness of his obedience? Sadly, he just stopped.

- What did it look like when he just stood there, motionless, unwilling to continue his participation? When it was clear that he had no intention of continuing, Elisha burst out in anger!

- The King was given the opportunity to thoroughly decimate the Syrians by simply following this exercise in faith. Elisha saw all of that go to waste.

- How many are given similar opportunities for spiritual growth and breakthrough, and fail to take full advantage? How many have settled for a few strokes against the enemy?

- How many have had a few good "experiences" but have not put themselves in a position to fully mature beyond their feelings? No wonder Elisha was angry with him and tell him about it!

- He tells him that his actions had greater significance than he was able to see in that moment.

- The actions themselves were secondary to the faith that was being exercised in the God of the Bible! It was never about the arrows. It was about obeying God's voice through Elisha!

- More often than not, a person devoted to God will be shooting arrows in the direction God points them to. It won't make sense to them. It won't seem effective, but it is!

- Obeying God when He calls you to do something is what brings the victory in your life!

- Elisha was mad because he wasted an opportunity and because the window was now closed. He could not have picked up more arrows nor made any more progress against Syria.

- The King would have three victories, but would know that they were far less than God intended to give! What a sad testimony. You might retort, "Three times isn't bad!"

- That's the wrong way to think! Stop thinking about minimal spiritual progress. Whatever He has ordered you to do, do it with all of your heart!

- Whatever arrow you have right now to shoot, shoot it and keep shooting until you have run out! And when that happens, borrow a few more from some friends!

- Live your spiritual life as if everything depended upon you! Take advantage of every moment. Be diligent in every exercise. Unfortunately for Jehoash, his time passed him by. Verse 20.

• II Kings 13:20,21 : "Then Elisha died, and they buried him. And the raiding bands from Moab invaded the land in the spring of the year. So it was, as they were burying a man, that suddenly they spied a band of raiders; and they put the man in the tomb of Elisha; and when the man was let down and touched the bones of Elisha, he revived and stood on his feet." : Elisha's ministry came to an end on this planet, but his influence continued on. This story is brought in to illustrate that truth.

- Israel is losing it's edge in every direction. Moab is even getting in on the action by sending it's raiders into the land during the time when Kings generally go to war.

- Some of Israel's men were in the process of burying a man when the Moabites were seen coming at them from a distance.

- They had no choice but to store their friend's body in Elisha's tomb. When that corpse touched the bones of Elisha, he came back to life! God was still working through Elisha.

- They left with a clear vision of God's power through Elisha. When the man touched His bones, he experienced a resurrection! That had to be quite a story. Verse 22.

• II Kings 13:22-25 : " And Hazael king of Syria oppressed Israel all the days of Jehoahaz. But the Lord was gracious to them, had compassion on them, and regarded them, because of His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and would not yet destroy them or cast them from His presence. Now Hazael king of Syria died. Then Ben-Hadad his son reigned in his place. And Jehoash the son of Jehoahaz recaptured from the hand of Ben-Hadad, the son of Hazael, the cities which he had taken out of the hand of Jehoahaz his father by war. Three times Joash defeated him and recaptured the cities of Israel." : Hazael oppressed Israel, but the Lord was gracious to them, had compassion on them, regarded them!

- Each of these words is written in the imperfect tense, signifying God's habit. He repeatedly showed them His favor and repeatedly expressed His tender love.

- That word denotes the close tenderness of a parent soothing their child through gentle touch. Finally, He kept looking their way. He kept turning His face toward them. He gave them His attention.

- Why? Because of their righteousness? Because they looked to Him? No. He acted this way toward them because of His covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

- He focused on what He promised them. Their righteousness could not compel Him, but simply that His promise was a matter of record!

- That is all that kept them from being utterly wiped out and sent out of His presence!

- The chapter closes with that final word of the victory of Joash. Three times he fought against the armies of Syria and three times, he was victorious!

- God was faithful to give him the little that he played for. He will live to regret not having had more, though the Northern Kingdom is now counting down to extinction.

Conclusion
- When you look back on this chapter, I hope you are impressed with the missed opportunities that presented themselves.

- When Israel's back was against the wall, the wicked King cried out to God and He heard them, sending them a Savior.

- When Israel's King lamented the loss of Elisha's power, God invited him to experience some of it for himself.

- When Israel's son touched the bones in the tomb of Elisha, he sprang again to life and had no explanation for his resurrection. Can you believe that they missed it?

- Let us not make the same mistake! Has God rescued you from an oppressive enemy by sending a Savior? He most certainly has!

- Have you experienced the power of His Holy Spirit by persistent obedience to His Word? Most of us will.

- Has your life began at the tomb of the godly Man Jesus Christ? Have you been brought to life by His own resurrected life?

- What a joy it is to know that the Lord God will continually grant us favor, love and regard, as He remembers His Faithful Son Jesus.

- With all of this on our side, can we not be faithful to Him? Can we not shoot every arrow at our disposal with all of our hearts? May it be so for all of us!