Year 1, Week 52, Day 5 Bible Reading Observations

Year 1, Week 52, Day 5

I have a brief observation for today’s reading of 2 Kings 12-13.

Today’s reading traces events unfolding in the Southern Kingdom of Judah as well as in the Northern Kingdom of Israel. 2 Kings 12 reports of the reign of Joash (aka Jehoash). Joash, especially in the early years of his reign, as he was under the influence of Jehoiada the priest, was a good king, but he also failed to bring an end to false worship: “And Jehoash did what was right in the eyes of the LORD all his days, because Jehoiada the priest instructed him. Nevertheless, the high places were not taken away; the people continued to sacrifice and make offerings on the high places” (2 Kings 12:2-3). Subsequent readings from 2 Chronicles 24 will provide additional details, but the Book of Kings simply reports that Joash was assassinated: “Now the rest of the acts of Joash and all that he did, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah? His servants arose and made a conspiracy and struck down Joash in the house of Millo, on the way that goes down to Silla” (2 Kings 12:19-20). 2 Kings 13 provides a report on matters in the Northern Kingdom. Jehu’s son, Jehoahaz followed his father as king, while son of Jehoahaz, Jehoash (not to be confused with Jehoash or Joash, King of Judah), followed his father as king. The assessment of each of these kings is very similar: “He did what was evil in the sight of the LORD and followed the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which he made Israel to sin; he did not depart from them” (2 Kings 13:2); and: “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” (2 Kings 13:11). 2 Kings 13 also notes the death of the prophet Elisha.

One of the things that struck me from today’s reading was the end of Elisha’s ministry and even what unfolded following Elisha’s death. Much of Elisha’s ministry occurred in the Northern Kingdom of Israel. As Elisha is dying, Jehoash (aka Joash), King of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, came to Elisha: “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!” (2 Kings 13:14). It has already been noted that Jehoash did evil in the sight of the LORD, but he seemed earnest in his words to Elisha. He showed great respect as he acknowledged Elisha and he recognized that Elisha was the true instrument of protection for Israel. Elisha sought to give Jehoash encouragement: “And Elisha said to him, “Take a bow and arrows”…“Draw the bow”…And he said, “The LORD’S arrow of victory, the arrow of victory over Syria! For you shall fight the Syrians in Aphek until you have made an end of them” (2 Kings 13:15-17). But Elisha also tested Jehoash: “Take the arrows”…“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 had made an end of it, but now you will strike down Syria only three times.” (2 Kings 13:18-19). At a most crucial moment in Jehoash’s reign as king and protector of the kingdom, Jehoash reflected a lack-luster, half-hearted response to the LORD’s promise to destroy the Syrians once and for all. And therefore, since Jehoash was not fully stirred by God’s Word, the full import of that Word would not come to fruition. 

An incredible thing happened after Elisha died: “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, a 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” (2 Kings 13:20-21). Elisha was dead, but the power of God that marked the ministry of Elisha was still present and operational long after Elisha. Perhaps this episode was written down for God’s people as a reminder that even when things are as good as dead, there is always great confidence in God’s power to revive and resurrect. Israel and Judah will soon need such strong reminders of God’s abilities, as the two kingdoms are inching toward captivity.

The LORD is not only able to bring life from death, the LORD is always faithful to His promises: "Now Hazael king of Syria oppressed Israel all the days of Jehoahaz. 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” (2 Kings 13:22-23). The LORD will certainly allow His people to be chastened, such as when the king of Syria successfully tormented Israel and took possession of part of the Land; but the LORD will not allow His people, under no uncertain terms, to be completely overtaken. Even as Israel was turning from the LORD, the LORD, “turned toward them.” The LORD will always prove faithful: “if we are faithless, he remains faithful—for he cannot deny himself” (2 Timothy 2:13). The LORD is always good on His promises.

What struck you in today’s reading? What questions were prompted from today’s reading?

Pastor Joe