Day 170, Chronological Bible Study Timeline. Map. Go to today’s Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): 1Kings 22:47-49; 2Chronicles 20:35-37; 2Kings 1:2-18; 2Kings 3:1-3; 2Kings 2
Learning Respect
Some lessons are learned the hard way—like offending someone and then suffering the consequences. Not only do people get offended, but God also gets upset when we treat h im or h is servants with disrespect. When we disrespect either or both , we can expect to suffer consequences for it. This payback should be a comfort for those who are insulted and a solemn warning for those who show disrespect.
Respect for God’s Name and Character
In today’s Bible reading, we notice that although Jehoshaphat is a good king of Judah, once again, he allies himself with Israel’s king, who is under God’s discipline. In a joint venture, Jehoshaphat builds a fleet of trading ships to go to Ophir for gold. For that sin, God destroys them.
Here is a lesson for us. We need to use our assets and Christianity for godly purposes; we should not make alliances with those who have no fear of God. The LORD does not want us or his name tarnished. He wants to bless, not punish us. The Apostle Paul gave this counsel to the believers in Corinth, and it still applies to us today:
Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people” [Lev. 26:12; Jer. 32:38; Ezek. 37:27]. Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you” (2Corinthians 6:14-17 NIV).
Respect for Gods' Messengers
When King Ahaziah of Israel is injured, he relies on the prophets of Baal-Zebub to heal him instead of God. The LORD is offended.
… the angel of the LORD said to Elijah the Tishbite, “Go up and meet the messengers of the king of Samaria and ask them, ‘Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going off to consult Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron?'
Therefore this is what the LORD says: ‘You will not leave the bed you are lying on. You will certainly die!'” So Elijah went (2Kings 1:3-4, NIV).
When King Ahaziah hears the message, he sends three separate groups of fifty men to arrest Elijah. Because they do not respect Elijah as a prophet of God, the LORD destroys the first two groups which summon Elijah to the king. The LORD has mercy on the third group sent because the captain of the men begs for mercy. He respects Elijah , the man of God. Do we honor God’s servants? If not, beware; we may be disciplined or judged for acting against them. We must learn to respect God, h is character, h is message , and h is servants.
Respect for a New Prophet
Elijah is a friend and mentor to Elisha, and when the time is close for Elijah to leave, Elisha sticks close to his side. Elisha would soon take the place of his teacher. Elijah grants one request of Elisha before he leaves—a double portion of his spirit. This means Elisha wants twice the spiritual zeal of his mentor (more...). The reason for his appeal is uncertain, but perhaps he wants a double dose of Elijah’s spirit to expel Baal worship from the land of Israel .
After a whirlwind catches Elijah up into heaven, Elisha takes his cloak (the sign of God’s authority upon him) and calls on the LORD to part the river as he did for Elijah. A nearby company of prophets witness it and recognize that the Spirit, which was on Elijah, is now on Elisha. The prophets search for Elijah but cannot find him.
Later, some leading men of the city of Jericho come to Elisha and ask him to do a miracle. They had obviously heard that the Spirit of God now rests upon Elisha. They want him to call on God to heal the brackish water in the spring. Elisha puts salt in a bowl, pours it into the Jericho spring, and the water instantly becomes drinkable. His actions are symbolic—they have no curative powers—only God can immediately make salty water fresh. Elisha is the new vessel the LORD is using to accomplish his will.
Unfortunately, some rebellious young men also recognize God’s Spirit on Elisha and do not like it. They mock and insult the LORD’s prophet, telling him to “go up” (possibly meaning in a whirlwind like his predecessor, or in other words, “Get lost!”).
Who are these young men? (called children or youth in some Bible translations). They could be rebellious Israelite youths, who do not like their new prophet any more than they liked their old one, or they could be Baal worshippers. These forty-two youths may also be holding a mass demonstration against Elisha and his God. Because they show such disdain for God’s prophet, they show contempt for the LORD, which by God’s law is punishable by death (Exodus 22:28; 1Kings 21:13 ). Two bears come and maul these rebels (more…) and they die. [insights gained from The Theological Wordbook of the O.T., by Harris, Archer, and Waltke, ©1980, p.795 and The Bible Knowledge Commentary of the O.T., edited by Walvoord and Zuck, ©1985, p. 542]. Now, others who witness the scene or hear about it will learn to respect God's anointed.
We, too, should be careful about acting against God’s chosen servants. His wrath could also come upon us.
Discussion
How can we respect God’s name and reputation in our world?
Why should we respect God’s messengers (i.e., ministers)?
Elijah was a mentor to Elisha. Who can we mentor, and how?
Focus Verses
1Corinthian 16:15c-16 (NIV) “I urge you, brothers, to submit to such as these and to everyone who joins in the work, and labors at it.”
1Thessalonians 5:12 (NIV) Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you.
Write a private prayer response to today’s Bible study:
Please send your comments to mtbiblestudies@gmail.com
Looking Ahead: Sometimes the little things we do can affect the next generations, like A Little Yeast in bread dough. Find out more in our Next Lesson.
Back to top of page
Return to Chronological Bible Studies main page
Go to Scriptures main page
Go to Topics main page
Go to Home pagepage re-edited 6-18-2021
COPYRIGHT @ 2019, MASTER'S TOUCH BIBLE STUDIES