2 Kings 13 Bible Study (Jehoahaz & Jehoash Israel Reigns/Death of Elisha) | Pastor Daniel Batarseh

Let's come together now to second Kings chapter 13. I wonder if you noticed that we have not seen or heard from the prophet Elisha in quite some time. The most recent mention of him occurs in second Kings chapter nine verse one when this prophet sent a son of the prophet, one of his students, to Ramoth Gilead to anoint the next king of Israel and his name was Jehu. We haven't seen or heard from him since, but tonight it's gonna be different. The man of God will reappear in this grand narrative of the kings, but I will tell you from now, this will be Elisha's final appearance in our study of second Kings.

You see, we're not going to encounter Elisha ministering in cities, serving the sons of the prophets, or confronting any kings or armies in this chapter. What you will find is Elisha in a room, in a bed, dying of an illness. That's right. This text in the Old Testament will define for us Elisha's earthly departure. We have now come to the end of this man's incredible life.

And instead of swiftly informing us of his exit, the spirit of God provides rich detail about the final moments of his life. And I'm eager to explore these truths with you, but we have to touch on the verses that set the stage for this incredible scene. We can't rush to it. And so we're gonna begin in verse one, read down to verse three. We're going to take our time, but I will tell you that we're gonna spend the most time by Elisha's bedside.

And seeing what happens there and who's in that room and what he has to say and what even happens a little bit after he dies. And so I know our sister just prayed, but if we can pray one more time before we even begin to read and ask the Lord to help us. As we sang over and over, oh, Lord, we pray that you take our hearts and that you seal them in your courts, for your courts above. And Lord, we ask that through this Bible study, you would equip us with everything that is good that we may do your will, that which is pleasing in your sight through Jesus Christ, for whom belong glory forever and ever. Amen.

Amen. Second Kings 13 verse one. In the twenty third year of Joash the son of Ahaziah, king of Judah, Jeho Ahaz the son of Jehu began to reign over Israel and Samaria, and he reigned seventeen years. He did what was evil in the sight of the Lord and followed the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebath, which he made Israel to sin. He did not depart from them.

And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel, and he gave them continually into the hand of Hazael, king of Syria, and into the hand of Ben Hadad, the son of Hazael. This seems like a very common introduction to a new biography in the book of second Kings, but what you have here actually are the beginnings of God's promise being fulfilled. The promises that he made particularly to King Jehu. Remember, we studied Jehu for a few weeks. And because Jehu was faithful to the Lord in exterminating the house of Ahab and Baalism from the land of Israel, his main reward was this, that his descendants would occupy the throne of Israel until the fourth generation.

And the start of that oath, that pledge being realized is found here in the opening verses of chapter 13. Because Jehu's son, Jehoiaz succeeds him, and he now secures the throne. But instead of acknowledging the Lord's faithfulness, instead of walking in humility, we find the son of Jehu committing himself to idolatry. He doesn't recognize that it was the favor of God that positioned him here. He doesn't think about God's faithfulness to his father.

He is completely self absorbed. And he is completely consumed with idolatry and rebellion. And this man's devotion to the worship of golden calves was met with the Syrians harassing him as an expression of God's discipline. We've seen this pattern before, haven't we? And what happens next is what is unusual for one who is a king in the Northern Kingdom.

Look at verse four. Then Joaz sought the favor of the Lord. And the Lord listened to him, for he saw the oppression of Israel, how the king of Syria oppressed them. He doesn't seek the favor of the golden calves. Maybe he did, but as we would expect, they failed him.

Whatever the background is, he makes this decision to seriously seek the favor of the Lord. This is uncommon. This is strange. This is unexpected. But can I tell you what's more shocking to me?

Not that this wicked king seeks God's favor, but that the rest of verse tells us that God hears and listens to him. That's what moves me more than anything. Because you see, Joaz is not a struggling sinner. No. He was a bonafide idol worship.

He was somebody who was consumed with this. It was his identity. It was his drive. It was his purpose. Look at the language.

He did not depart from worshiping the idols that Jeroboam set up. He clung to them. He was serious about this. And yet, the moment that he stopped and turned his face to the true and living God, God responds to him. And now, there are a few things to learn about prayer in these verses, and about how God's response to prayer should encourage us as well.

So pay attention to this. Number one, what we learn from this is that regardless of one's vile history with sin, if a person truly, humbly implores God, he will be heard. Yes. He will be received. Yes, sir.

And that's something for you and I to consider for ourselves. Because many people are entrenched in sin the same way Joachas was. But no matter how deep the entrenchment of the ingrained patterns of sin you may be in, you can escape it. You can escape it with sincere repentance and even with a single call to God. So God does not hang your sin over your head and put you in some kind of penalty box before he's willing to hear you when you cry out to him.

Which brings us to a second thought. That such possibility in prayer only exists because of this. God is abundantly kind. He is abundantly kind. Look back at verse four.

Notice that it says here that the Lord listened to him, for he saw for he saw the oppression of Israel, how the king of Syria oppressed him. We're given another reason later in this chapter why God was so favor favorably treating the Israelites. And I want you to see it because it's gonna provide a full picture. Look at verse 22 of this chapter. We're fast forwarding a bit, but we need to in order to consider a dimension to this incident.

Second Kings thirteen twenty two. Now, Hazael king of Syria oppressed Israel all the days of Joaz, but the Lord was gracious to them and had compassion on them and he turned toward them because of his covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and would not destroy them, nor has he cast them from his presence until now. From this perspective, you and I are forced to acknowledge that the reason why God was so compassionate towards this generation was because of a covenant. Because of a promise that God made to the patriarchs to preserve this nation. It was an unconditional promise.

But when you come back to verse four, we have another dimension to this. That God not only was willing to respond to this king and this kingdom, though they were rebellious because of a covenant, but also because of his kindness. Because what does it say in verse four? That he saw the oppression of Israel. He saw the pain.

He saw the frustration. He saw their destitution. So it's more than just him doing this out of obligation. It's more than just him being committed to his name and his faithfulness. It's because he actually has a heart for those who are in sin.

He actually is broken hearted for those who are caught in the web of immorality, debauchery, abuse, transgression. Call it what you want. He actually moves his heart to see somebody as a slave to unrighteousness. And so when a sinner cries out, God is willing to because he actually loves the sinner. See, if you just had twenty two and twenty three, you would see and you would probably say to yourself, well, yeah, because God wants to show that he is a promise keeping God and that is still wonderful.

There's nothing nothing not amazing about that. But to see this personal element only provides a greater picture of his character. So he's moved by this and he's willing to intervene. Even though that this pain was caused by their own rebellion, he wants to rescue them. Lastly, prayer and crisis.

If we're if we're gonna learn a few things from verse four, here's a final thought. Prayer and crisis does not promise permanent change. Does Joachim call out to the Lord? Yes. Does the Lord respond to his humility?

Absolutely. Does it change this man for the rest of his life? Look at verse five. Therefore, the Lord gave Israel a savior so that they escaped from the hand of the Syrians and the people of Israel lived in their homes as formally. Nevertheless, they did not depart from the sins of the house of Jeroboam, which he made Israel to sin, but walked in them.

And the Asherah also remained in Samaria. We're not granted the identity of the deliverer that God raised up, But that seems to be less of a concern when we read the fact that even though God brought salvation, the people return to their vomit. There's this language of a savior, deliverer, the people being restored, really the whole scene up to this point, does it remind you of any book that we have studied in the past that has a very similar rhythm concerning the people's spirituality? Any any idea? The book of what?

Starts with the letter j. Judges. I believe that the Holy Spirit is being precise here in depicting something that we've seen over and over in the days when Israel was ruled by judges. It's this circuit that we have studied before. Live in sin, worship false gods, oppress by a foreign neighbor, cry out to God, repeat.

And it's a reminder, this verse, that the unsteady spiritual pattern that was common in the days of judges that we find here in the days of second kings is nothing new for many professing Christians today. Listen, you have many church goers, many pseudo spiritual Christians who are content living in that kind of cycle of anemic spirituality. I've seen it. What does it look like? Live in sin, get in trouble, come to church, set up a couple counseling sessions with the pastor, feel emboldened because you have tasted some kind of relief, so now this person's posting more verses on their Instagram.

Go back to your sin. Repeat. Many people live like that. And I believe that the physical description of what we read in verse seven here mirrors the condition of the souls of those who are content to live in that circuit of compromise. Look at verse seven.

For there was not left to Joaz an army of more than 50 horsemen and 10 chariots and 10,000 footmen, for the king of Syria had destroyed them and made them like the dust at threshing. What is sad description for a nation's army? Can you imagine for an entire country, you have what? 10,000 footmen? No more than 50 horsemen?

So this analysis is meant to depict this vulnerable state, this embarrassing condition. And I make the case here that the vulnerability of the nation, the weakness, the leanness of what you find here is a reflection of what happens to the spirituality in the condition of the inner man for those who choose to live and relate to God in the same way this king does. Let me put it this way. Please hear me. I say this in great love.

You will never ever ever tap into true power, true purpose, true pleasure in your soul, if you relate to God like a 911 call. If the only kind of interaction you have with God is in emergencies, void of any personal relationship, don't expect to know true life. True joy, true strength. You'll never know it. Only when you know how to abide will the life source of heaven flow into your being.

But to choose only to call upon him to save you from something, and you premeditatively know that you're not going to commit to the cause of Christ and the gospel of Christ, don't expect a robust true life. You'll be limping spiritually. You'll remain a spiritual skeleton. And I don't want that for you. God doesn't want that for you.

I was reading this morning. I was sitting before the Lord with first John before me. And I was reminded of a promise, an indirect promise that is available to all of us. Turn to the New Testament. Look at first John chapter two.

There's this interesting series of statements that John makes to young children, fathers and young men. He's speaking about spiritual children, spiritual fathers, spiritual young men. I want you to see what he says about the spiritual young men in verse 14 of first John two. John says in first John two fourteen, I write to you fathers because you know him who is from the beginning. I write to you young men because you are strong and the word of God abides in you and you have overcome the evil one.

What's sandwiching this truth of the word of God abides in you? The strength of these young men and the ability for them to overcome the evil one. Now this is not, limited to young men. This is available to all of us. But notice here, he describes them as strong and he praises their ability to wage good warfare against Satan himself.

On what basis? The Word of God abiding in them. You wanna be strong? You need to know how to abide. You will never be able to know true victory over sin.

You'll never be able to overcome the lies and the arrows and the threats of the evil one. Never. Unless you know how to abide. If you just dial God once in a while and think that's what it means to walk with him, you're fooling yourself. You're deceiving yourself.

How many examples can we go to? Look at this. Abiding, meaning it lives in you. The word of God live because it lives in you, it surges strength in your being and you're able to face Satan himself and overcome. That's only available for those who know how to abide.

So we come back to our text and we learn that Joaz dies unfaithful. Verse eight, now the rest of the acts of Joaz and all that he did and his might, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel? So Joaz slept with his fathers and they buried him in Samaria, and Joash his son reigned in his place. This man dies unfaithful. But the Lord's faithfulness to Jehu continues.

How do we know that? Because he told Jehu, your sons will rule and reign until the fourth generation and so now we have Joash who represents the next one in line. And when you just glance at verse 10 down to verse 13, that's all we're given concerning Joash's biography. It's a very brief obituary. So let's read it and tell me if it sounds familiar.

In the thirty seventh year of Joash king of Judah, Jeoash, the son of Jeoaz began to reign over Israel and Samaria and he reigned sixteen years. He also did what was evil in the sight of the Lord. He did not depart from all the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which he made Israel to sin, but he walked in them. Now the rest of the acts of Joash and all that he did and the 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 slept with his fathers and Jeroboam sat on his throne.

And Joash was buried in Samaria with the kings of Israel. Typical. Typical snapshot of a king who clung to the sins of Jeroboam, maybe accomplished a military feat or two, and it seems like the historian is not very interested in elaborating on Joash's reign, except for one thing. Yes, we're told that he died, but for the rest of this chapter, he wants to bring us by the spirit to a particular incident, something monumental that took place under Joash's reign. And it is this, the death of Elisha the prophet.

Elisha died under this administration. And more than that, this very king is actually going to interact with Elisha in his dying moment. And that's where the Holy Spirit wants to emphasize. That's where we're going to spend our time exploring the rich truths for our own walk with Christ. So let's look at verse 14.

This is where we're gonna be spending most of our time now. The stage has been set. Let's read verse 14. Now when Elisha had fallen sick with the illness of which he was to die, Joash king of Israel went down to him and wept before him crying, my father, my father, the chariots of Israel and its horsemen. There are a handful of observations we can make from this one verse and I'm actually curious to know, and you're free to answer this, just don't make your answer too long, but just bullet point answers.

What about this verse offers something interesting in terms of just maybe details or something that you've seen before? What stands out to you from verse 14? Let's make this a little bit more interactive. Any idea? Just raise your hand.

Yes. But it was this was also set for Elijah Isn't that interesting? That what the king says about Elisha, Elisha said about Elijah, his mentor. Remember this. Yes.

Very very good observation, my brother. There's a stark contrast between Elijah's exit and Elisha's exit. So our brother mentioned here how Elijah was taken up into heaven without dying. Yet we find Elisha who had a double portion of what Elijah had. And he died a very ordinary predictable death.

Very good. Anything else worth mentioning before we unravel this together? Those are the two major ones. So let's touch on them. The immediate thing that stands out is how Elisha, the miracle worker, the vessel that God used to heal polluted water and diseased men, is now himself dying of a sickness.

That's remarkable to me. Because I think that it is a severe blow to one of the lies of the prosperity gospel. The prosperity gospel that tells you that you can do what? If you have the faith, claim perpetual perfect health. Okay.

So here's my question. Here's my question. Is Elisha, outside of the will of God at this point, is Elisha operating in unbelief? No. No.

No. In fact, what you have Elisha doing here, serving God in his dying moments. Operating as a messenger of God even here and now. So to claim that this man is sick, because he did not have the faith is way off. Dangerously off.

Now, if anything, this is a reminder to us that we're all destined to die. And the way that God will transition his children from this world into the next varies. Was Elisha any less loved by God than how God treated Elijah? Absolutely not. Was he less faithful than Elijah?

If anything, you can say that Elisha was more consistent with his trust in God than Elijah was. We didn't study any crisis of faith with Elisha. Did we? Elisha doesn't veer off into the wilderness and ask to die. No.

He he was pretty stable from the beginning. And yet, Elijah was taken up in glorious fashion. And yet this man falls to sickness and he's going to give his final breath in this way. So this is something that we have to consider for ourselves. God doesn't give us an answer for why this is the case.

But in his infinite wisdom, he determines the timing and the manner by which you and I graduate into glory. Here's the sec second thing that stands out to me is the response of Joash, the king of Israel. Here you have the ruler of a nation who is willing to leave his palace and visit this man, and not just pay respect, but to weep over him. Now here's what's so startling. We just read between verse ten and thirteen that this Joash was evil.

He fall in the ways of Jeroboam. So how do you make sense of this? How do you have a man who betrayed the true God, show such reverence and admiration for a man of God? Some accuse him of insincerity. Some claim that this is just a concern that's rooted in political fear.

What's gonna happen with our kingdom now that this man of God who has done so much for this nation is leaving us. But I think that would be unfair. I believe that these tears are actually an indication of some commendable comprehension on Joash's part. You see, he was an idolater, but I also believe that he recognized the impact that Elisha had on the kingdom and the influence that he had for the nation. And he admired it.

And it's hard to debate that when you consider what he says about Elisha. What does he say? My father, my father. Meaning what? I I truly recognize you as the spiritual guide of this nation.

Even though he didn't personally abide by the word of the Lord, he could not deny that Elisha had an incredible role to play in the stability of this people, whatever was left of the stability of this people. Then he goes on to say, what? The chariots of Israel and its horsemen. We've studied this before. What is he saying by declaring this?

You're the true source of this nation's security and strength. Not our javelins, not our horses, not our not our chariots, nothing. Not our arrows, not our swords. Your walk with God is the real reason why we know the security that we have enjoyed. The true power.

The true reason why we were able to accomplish what we were able to accomplish. This is something so fascinating. As our sister said, this is what Elisha said about Elijah. And here's the most mind blowing part. The same man who expressed these things is called evil in verse 11.

He's called evil. When I put those truths together, this is what it taught me and I hope it teaches you the same. That it's possible for someone to say the right things. It's possible for someone to even honor the right people. It's possible for someone to acknowledge the benefits that God's truth can bring to society, to a family, to a culture, to the law of the land, and even praise the efforts of servants of God and still not be saved.

You've probably seen some funerals of great ministers in our own nation, where their funeral is broadcasted and you have politicians attend, who show their respect and even maybe pay tribute with beautiful eulogies. Do you think those politicians are saved because of that? There's no indication whatsoever that somebody's right with God. And that's something that you and I have to consider for our own lives. Because maybe this is hard to grasp, so let's confirm it in another way.

Do you remember who Balak, king of Moab hired to curse the nation of Israel when they came out of Egypt into the promised land? Balaam. And so, Balaam, this false prophet, attempts to curse Israel without their knowledge. And as he attempts to do this, with one oracle after the next, the Lord intervenes and turns those curses into blessings. And I want you to see what Balaam confesses with his first oracle, with whatever revelation that God had given him.

He made this incredible expression and confession about the righteous. Go to numbers 23 verse 10. Balaam says something in verse 10 of numbers 23. Who can count the dust of Jacob or number the fourth part of Israel? Let me die the death of the upright and let my end be like his.

Here you have a wicked man who is under some kind of a trance. He's experiencing some kind of a vision. And in this righteous. He learns how the righteous die and what happens after they die. So what does he say personally?

He goes, oh, let me die that kind of a death. Let me end this way. Let me transition from this life to the next in that manner. Balaam desired to die the death of the righteous, but he did not want to live the life of the righteous. How did Balaam die?

Under God's judgment, because he loved money more than anything else. Money was his god. And yet, still, you see that this wicked man, this false prophet, this example that the New Testament uses more than once to say, this is an evil, an attitude. This is an evil outlook in life. This is an evil set of convictions.

There are people like Balaam in the church today that harass the church and deceive the church. That kind of a person can still have a smidgen of holy ambition and affection and still not be regenerate. Let me die the death of the righteous. He didn't die the death of the righteous because he didn't wanna live the life of the righteous. And so just because you have somebody who expresses, or in a moment, or maybe in spontaneity says something right, expresses something right, maybe even for a moment conforms to something right, does not necessarily indicate that they are transformed.

And that's what we see here with this king. So he weeps over him. And there is obviously a mixture of grief here. I think part of the concern that he has was, he really believed that Elisha kept the nation together. Now he's about to slip away into eternity.

And so as king he goes, what's gonna become of my kingdom? Elisha knows this. More importantly, God knows this. So he actually extends comfort to this troubled ruler. This is fascinating.

Come back to the main text if you will, and look here at verse 15. And Elisha said to him, take a bow and arrows. So he took a bow and arrows. Then he said to the king of Israel, draw the bow. And he drew it.

And Elisha laid his hands on the king's hands. Pause. Elisha has provided these instructions to the king because he's preparing him to receive a prophetic word by symbolic gesture to comfort him, and to teach him and to remind him that even though he's going to die, God is still available. God can still be sought. God is still willing to come through.

And before we get into the precise details of the prophecy, you know what I find here? I see a man who is being eaten up with disease, giving whatever strength he has left to fulfill his duty as a messenger of God. Look at the language here again. It says here that he laid his hands on the king's hands. So he just mustered up the strength and I wonder if he was laying down.

I don't know how he was positioned, but at some point he gets up, he speaks with authority, and he even places his shaky hands on the hands of the king while he's holding that bow and arrow. And I am moved. Because from the beginning, when Elijah surprisingly threw that mantle on him, to the final days of his life, you have a man who gave everything to serve the Lord. Isn't this a moving thing? It should be moving to you.

Because it's possible for you and I to have that same trajectory. I told you I was reading first John today, but earlier this week I was looking over the the words of first Peter. And I wanna show you something that blessed me. It turned into a prayer and I hope it becomes your prayer leaving this place in first Peter chapter four. A very practical passage, but notice this detail that confirms and adds to what we're saying here about Elisha.

First Peter four ten. Peter says, as each has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God's varied grace. Whoever speaks as one who speaks, oracles of God. Whoever serves as one who serves by the strength that God supplies. In order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to him belong glory and dominion forever and ever.

Amen. Two thoughts come to me from this passage. The first one is this, that the strength that you know, the capacity that you have with your mobility, with your agility, that has been supplied by God every single day, whether you're aware of it or not, for the purpose of you serving him. The breath in your lungs, the ability to move, to type, to walk, to carry, to be here after a long week of work. Every ounce of that energy is aimed to serve God.

That's glorious. That's why you live. But beyond that, if this strength does come from God, then it invites me to seek him for more of it. So that I can live for his glory. And so I read this the other day and these verses became the prayer of that day.

Lord, give me more strength. I don't want there to be any physical, emotional, mental, any kind of obstacle that would limit me from doing what you've gifted me to do. I wanna do it forever. I wanna do it for the rest of my life. This is what he is speaking about here.

There is a strength that God supplies. And never take any, any strength that you know for granted. I've said this before. Allow me to say it again. The very fact that you were able to tie your shoes this morning or this evening was permitted by God.

You couldn't do that without God saying, you can do that. Oh, I don't know about that. You have a limited view of God's sovereignty. You do. Praise team, your ability to sing, you don't take that for granted.

Because that can be taken from you overnight. Any preacher in this place, you can become mute in a moment. So with all the strength that God has given you, for any kind of ministry in between the examples I gave, oh, don't take it for granted. And don't you ever ever ever feel intimidated to come before him and say, Lord, give me more of the strength. Secure the strength.

Multiply the strength. I find this man who is riddled with disease yet with the little strength he had, he says I'm going to serve him. The final sight that we have of this man is he's prophesying. That's what he is. He's a prophet.

I wanna end that way. And maybe you're thinking somewhat inspired by Elisha's example, but also disappointed because if you're honest with your track record and the devotion to the Lord of the past and maybe even today, it's not consistent, far from consistent. You hear about Elijah from beginning to end and he was he was a straight arrow, no pun intended. But here you are and you can barely keep yourself together for a week. And maybe there's even wasted long stretches of time where you gave the peak of your existence for selfish ambition and purpose.

If that's you, if you're feeling this way, if any of us are feeling that way, there is hope for us. I think of Jacob. Jacob was a scoundrel. Jacob was a trickster. Jacob was a deceiver and much of his story in Genesis, he's just messing up with people.

And he receives the fruit of what he sowed. He reaped the consequences of his deceiving ways. But is that how he ended? Manipulating and twisting arms and playing these games. That's not how Jacob ended.

If you go to Hebrews, we're told in one verse what this man looked like on his dying day. I want you to see it. Go to Hebrews 11. Meet me in verse 21. Hebrews eleven twenty one.

I'll wait for you. I wanna read it together. By faith, Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, bowing in worship over the head of his staff. That's how Jacob ended. Jacob ended by doing two things.

Not deceiving people, blessing people. Not running from God, worshiping God. Why do I bring this to your attention? Because the script of your life can change if you're willing to believe it. Make the decision today that with whatever strength you do have left, whatever time you have left, that this will be your goal.

That you will leave this place being a blessing to others and being a worshiper of God. Let's come back to second Kings 13. So he positions the king's hands, but now he prophesies in verse 17. And he said, open the window eastward. And he opened it.

Then Elisha said, shoot. And he shot. And he said, the Lord's arrow of victory, the arrow of victory over Syria, for you shall fight the Syrians and Aphek until you have made an end of them. Here's the essence of the message. You, King Joash, will overcome your enemies.

Why would this be important for him to hear? Because he's worried that when Elisha dies, so will their hope. And he says, no. Your hope doesn't die with me. I am going to die.

God doesn't die. God doesn't sleep for that matter. And so he identifies his arrow symbolically as the Lord's arrow of victory. That is where your source of strength comes from, King Joash. Not in me.

And so he's essentially redirecting, he's pointing him to the right source. Look to God. He's going to remain. He's going to supervise. He's still available.

He's still accessible. So keep your eyes on him. And so he promises this empowerment to defeat the enemies of the people of God. But the degree of this victory will be determined by the level of faith that King Joshua has. The promise of power has been made clear.

God is here and the fact that he puts his hands on his hands is a symbolic way of saying, the Lord's hands are available. That is where you're going to really find your ability to do this. However, his faith is gonna be tested right away. Here's the promise for power. Now let's see what kind of faith you have to access it.

So what does he do? Look at verse 18. And he said, take the arrows. And he took them and he said to the king of Israel, strike the ground with them. And he struck three times and stopped.

Then the man of God was angry with him, and said, you should have struck five or six times. Then you would have struck down Syria until you have made an end of it. But now you will strike down Syria only three times. Some feel uncomfortable with Elisha's response, his rebuke really, because it seems that the king is doing the best he can with the limited understanding he had. But if you really take into account how the king was prepared before he actually was asked to do this, then you realize that this is actually a demonstration of weak faith on his part.

How do we know that? Because back in verse 17, he was already told that this arrow signifies the arrow of the Lord's victory. And then he goes on to say, take the arrows. He didn't give him a number. He's implying take all of them.

And strike the ground with the arrows. But instead of emptying the quiver, he just stops at three. And this is what makes the prophet upset and rightfully so. The king should have gone all the way. In understanding the interpretation, it's been made plain to him.

He should have made the connection and he should have continued with the picture and fulfilled a greater prophecy for his life, but he doesn't. Here's the case that I want to make. That the anger Elisha feels can be amen by the righteous in the nation that many spiritual leaders feel, When they make known to the people of God the very promises of God, but the people do not fully take advantage of them. There's maybe apathy on the king's part. Maybe a level of unbelief.

Maybe both. But this kind of reluctancy and hesitation in seeing the Syrians defeated, you can say, mirrors how many Christians approach and confront sin in their lives. Because the Syrians here are a picture of the powerful consequences of sin. And now God is providing a way for him to be able to overcome it. But what does he do?

He's content with partial victory. And I say that many Christians are the same way with the flesh. You and I have better promises than Joash. We have the promise of the gospel. We have the inheritance of the power of the Holy Spirit.

We have God's hands, so to speak, willing to extend and reach into the deepest part of you who you are and to liberate you from any shackle or bondage. That's a promise that we could be free because we are no longer under the law, but under grace, Romans six says. And yet, how many people strive for complete victory in their sanctification? I'm not talking about being sinlessly perfect, but I am talking about being able to say and being able to experience and testify that I am free and that when temptations visits to me, I can say with the strength of God, no. Like Joash, people settle for partial victory.

And they lack the zeal and the faith to claim total freedom. Many are like this. Many are living like this. And I can see where Elisha is coming from. Maybe you've known that in counseling a friend or looking at a sibling.

And you know what the promises of God can do for for your struggle against sin and people seem to not take it seriously, so they shoot three arrows. They take bits and pieces of God's promises and not the whole thing. And it burns your heart because you don't want to see them continue in that suffering. But God doesn't force himself. If you want to settle with three, you can take three.

With the measure of faith that you use, you'll receive. Do not doubt the promises of God. Do not cut them in half. Do not dilute them. Don't even dilute them with what you see around you.

Believe him and take him at his word. Completely. Don't just shoot three arrows. Don't just take some here and leave others. Don't say this applies to you and this seems realistic and this doesn't.

God's promises are meant to be experienced by his children completely. They'll settle for anything less. Unfortunately, this king does. Verse 20. So Elisha died and they buried him.

No open heaven. No horses from the sky. No fire. No whirlwind. Just a man in the ICU, and the machine flatlines.

Elisha died, and they buried him. Now you would expect that this is it. This is the cessation of his ministry. There's no more message. No more miracles.

Prepare to witness probably one of the most fascinating supernatural occurrences in all of the bible. Aren't you glad you came to tonight? You're about to see something that you've never seen before and you won't see after. Let's finish the verse. So Elisha died and they buried him.

Now bands of Moabites used to invade the land in the spring of the year. And as a man was being buried, behold, marauding band was seen and the man was thrown into the grave of Elisha. And as soon as the man touched the bones of Elisha, he revived and stood on his feet. We're familiar with accounts in the Bible of living men raising the dead. I have never read of any miracle where a dead man raises another dead man.

But it's here. And our immediate question should be, why? Why is the Lord allowing this? Obviously, this is the Lord's doing, but why here? Why now?

Why in this particular moment? And I think there is a historical answer. And then once we establish that, we can draw at least two, three strong spiritual lessons. So here's the historical answer. Notice again in verse 20, after Elisha dies, we're told about bands of Moabites who used to invade the land at a certain time of the year.

So we open this up by reflecting on the last time we heard from Elisha. But here's another question. When is the last time that we heard about the Moabites? You can answer if you if you feel like you know the answer. In our study of second Kings, when was the last time the Moabites made an appearance in this narrative?

Here's the answer. Second Kings chapter three, you don't have to turn there, but it's when Moab, who is under the the subjugation of the Israelites, freed themselves, became independent and so Israel, Judah and Edom partnered together to fight against the Moabites. And it was Elisha's prophetic instruction that rescued that team and led them to the Moabites to be able to engage in battle. They disappear from the scene and now we find them again in this chapter. And I think there's a reason why.

Remember, Israel is at a very weak point with their national security. Moreover, their true source of security is gone. Who is he? Elisha. I'm sure the Moabites had intel.

I'm sure they knew that Elisha played a significant role back in second Kings three in guiding the nations to come up against Moab. So now you not only have the Moabites who have rebelled against Israel, but now they are emboldened to actually attack Israel. And I add on top of that the Syrians who are oppressing them. This is perfect. So you have the Moabites now invading the land of Israel, robbing them and pillaging and doing all these things.

So I believe what you have here, one, the fact that this man was able to resurrect, just come in contact with Elisha's bones, was a reminder to Israel that Elisha was a true man of God. It's it's a really validation of the authenticity of his ministry. Elisha's message, his miracles can be traced to the true God and even after he dies, that people are being reminded he was right. He was right all along. And hopefully this would have served as a way of drawing the people to the true God.

Even after Elisha dies, God wants to communicate, did you remember what the prophet said? You're in this mess because of your sin. How many times has Elisha called you unto myself? And so this demonstration of power was meant to get the attention of the nation. Not just to draw them back in, Secondly, but to encourage them.

What was the fear of the king and the people that once Elisha was taken from them, that God's favor would be removed as well. And so the fact that you have this deceased man resurrecting after Elisha dies, was a confirmation of the prophecy. Elisha might be gone, but God isn't. Elisha might not be available, but God is still available. And they would have learned that and there's no doubt that this would have spread and reached the kingdom.

The fact that this man left to his feet after he was thrown into Elisha's tomb. So this would have been a source of comfort. Elisha is gone but God did not abandon us. God's work goes on. His purposes go on, even though his servants might go on.

But I believe there are very beautiful spiritual lessons from this. The obvious one is that even though Elisha's life was over, his ministry wasn't. Like Abel, though he is dead, he still what? Speaks. That's what you find in Hebrews chapter 11.

And you might actually be a person who can testify that you've come into contact with the material, maybe books, tapes, online sermons of those who are no longer with us, but their message has been preserved. Their example has been their biographies have been kept with us and that brought you to life. That brought you to your feet. I can tell you, and I've said this jokingly before that some of my favorite ministers are dead. Because God has preserved their work and though they are dead, they still speak.

And it's a wonderful encouragement to us that our fruitfulness can outlive us. And that sometimes in God's wisdom, the greatest expansion, the greatest breadth to your ministry can occur when you go into heaven. When you go into glory. There are many authors who they have written great pieces of literature, Christian literature, that at the time, did not really reach anybody, but after they died, touched the world. There are example after example of that.

And we see something here by way of symbolism, that you have Elisha who's in the tomb, but he's still touching people's lives. But it's also a humbling reminder to us of the power of God. It shows that the power of Elisha in his ministry did not come from Elisha. It was the Lord. The same Lord who raised a person from the dead by coming into contact with a dead man, was the same Lord who touched many dead people while that same man was alive.

So whether Elisha was alive or dead, it did not matter. God was the source of his strength. So next time you feel pride tempting you, God doesn't need you to be alive for him to use you. He can use a corpse to perform resurrection miracles. He doesn't need you and me.

He can use a lifeless cold body. In fact, by this description, it could be that his flesh actually disintegrated. You just have his bones left. So who you and I to think the good that he's doing in me or has done through me in the past is a little bit because of, you know, my personality and my looks and and my resources and my smarts. God can kill you and still use you.

Remember that. He doesn't need you standing behind anything. He doesn't need anything. And I think this is a wonderful reminder of that. How you're supposed to respond to God using you while you still have life is that he's just allowing you to enjoy it and to witness it, to give you an opportunity to glorify him through it.

Lastly, do you see a foreshadowing of Christ in this? I hope you do. Though you and I wholeheartedly believe that the body of Jesus, after he died, did not remain in that tomb, you cannot deny the theme of how someone's death brought life to others. Christ is here. Jesus Christ of Nazareth is being foreshadowed here.

In that in his death, he raised sons of Adam unto life. And if you need confirmation from the New Testament, let me remind you of Romans chapter five verse 10. For while we were still enemies of God, we were reconciled to God by the death of his son. It was the death of Christ that made you alive. Yes.

His resurrection is an integral part of that, but you needed his death. I needed his death. So what do we have here? A little vignette of a man who died, a man of God, yes, but one greater than Elisha, who would not just bring one person back to life. And not just physical life, but eternal life.

And many, not some, but many sons to glory. So even in this, you have the perfume of the gospel. It's being sprayed right here and only the gospel centered mind can see it. I see something here that one man, a man of God's death actually was able to provide life to another. Surely Christ's death would perform greater resurrections and it will.

And it will. And that's available to those who have faith in Christ. That though you die, according to Jesus' words in John 11, yet you shall live. You shall live. Let's close this bible study in prayer, shall we?

As you prepare your heart, I'll read the final verses of this chapter. Now Hezekiel king of Syria oppressed Israel all the days of Joaz, But the Lord was gracious to them and had compassion on them, and he turned toward them because of his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and would not destroy them, nor has he cast them from his presence till now. When Hezael king of Syria died, Ben Hadad his son became king in his place. Then Jehoash the son of Jehoash took again from Ben Hadad the son of Hazael the cities that he had taken from Jehoash his father-in-law. Three times, Joash defeated him and recovered the cities of Israel.

God kept his promise. Lord, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts that in the scriptures, in every part of it, are woven gospel truths. We thank you that Christ is the golden thread of the Bible. From Genesis to Revelation, we can see him there. Lord, we ask with all the things that we've heard that we would, by your grace, be able to retain them.

Help us like Elisha as we now come to the conclusion of his ministry. Serve you with every part of who we are until our final day, Lord. And help us, oh God, if we veer off, if anybody even in this place knows that they are not in the center of your will, to remember Jacob even, who changed the direction because of faith and trusted in your goodness and willing to rewrite his story. May that be so for some here. And, Lord, we think about the legacy that we would have.

We do not ask for fame. We do not ask for influence. We simply ask that by your wisdom, you would allow us to reflect your character and to touch who you've appointed us to come into contact with, and that they would see you in us. Well, we pray for Maranatha Bible Church and every ministry represented here that you would allow us to be so fragrant, so luminous, so filled with salt that our absence would be felt in the community, Lord. That our absence at our workplace, and our family gatherings would be felt.

That like Joash who recognized the blessing of a man of God, though he did not align himself to the same convictions, may our testimony be similar. That when we are where we are, people know it. And they can't deny the fruit and the blessing that we offer because of Christ in us, the hope of glory. So, Lord, only you can make that possible. Only you can animate us to such a degree, and we submit ourselves to you asking for it to be more true than it was when we walked in.

In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. Let's stand and worship the Lord. If you ever want to do a Bible study in the chapter that we covered, I encourage you to revisit it with a different lens. Trace the grace of God from verse one down to the final verse of that chapter.

Maybe you saw it throughout. He kept his promise to Jehu and his descendants even though they were wicked. He could have revoked it. He could have stopped it. He could have said, this is only plunging you guys into deeper darkness, but he kept his word.

When Joash came to Elisha and was weeping over him, he was an evil man. And yet the Lord still used used Elisha to comfort him and to remind him that I'm still available to you. I mean, it bothers me when people criticize the Old Testament, namely the character of God in the Old Testament. It I have low tolerance for it. Because when you study it, it just it's baffling.

And lastly, even after Elisha died, God went beyond that prophecy and raised a man from the dead to tell that nation, I'm still here. You can still cry out to me. Elisha might be gone, but I'm still here. It just it blows my mind. It really does.

Maybe one of these days, you can do a whole somebody could write a whole book just on the grace of God in the Old Testament. Story after story after story. And if that's something that you endeavor to do, include second Kings chapter 13 in it. Let's pray. Indeed, Lord, you are a gracious God.

Oh, I I pray we pray together that we would feel fresh motivation to use our strength to serve you. Thank you for this wonderful example in Elisha. We wanna serve you, Lord. And in our service to you, if we are ever ever tempted to feel like we are somebody, that you can't do this without us. Lord, help us remember that a corpse performed a miracle that none of us can imagine ever performing.

That you can use dry bones, never mind our strength, never mind our life, our breath. But, Lord, with whatever we do have left, we consecrate it unto you. We pray for your empowerment. And Lord, lastly, for anybody who is only shooting a few arrows, not claiming all of your promises, may that change today. May we take your word as it is.

Come before you and say, Lord, I want all of it. Whatever is available to me, I want it. If you're saying that I can be in victory over sin, I want it. If you're saying that I can walk in the spirit, I want it. If I can bear the fruit of the spirit, yes, I want it.

If it's possible to pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances to rejoice always, Lord, I want it. We want all of it, Lord. So may our attitude towards your promises change leaving this bible study. We love you and we thank you that you remind us of these things every week. In Jesus' mighty name we pray.

Amen and amen and amen. Ministers come and go. Bible studies come and go. Churches come and go. Jesus remains forever.

Walk with them. Would you? God bless you. Say hi to somebody before you leave. We'll see you next week.

By the way, Sunday, Sunday, Sunday, we started last week our series in the book of Revelation. So this Sunday, we are opening up Revelation chapter one verse one. We're not gonna stay just in verse one, but read chapter one before Sunday. I'm sure it'll change your experience of our service. God bless you.