2 Kings 13:1-13 — Jehoahaz and Jehoash Reign in Israel
2 Kings 13:14-25 — The Death of Elisha
2 Kings 14 — Amaziah Reigns in Judah, Jeroboam II Reigns in Israel
Thoughts about serving others
This link includes a list of posts about Serving the Least, the Lost, and the Lonely.
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Let the Word evoke words. May your life encourage lives.
The kings of Israel and Judah are far from the Lord, doing evil in his sight. So caught up in their own interests, Amaziah (Judah) challenges Jehoash (Israel) to a battle (Judah vs Israel)…not a good sign. In 2 Chronicles, we read the Amaziah’s strong victories in battles where his armies killed thousands; yet “he brought back the gods of the people of Seir…bowed down to them and burned sacrifices to them” (2 Chron 25:14).
Jehoash lashes back to this arrogant challenge, “A thistle in Lebanon sent a message to a cedar in Lebanon” (2 Kings 14:9). Ouch! Apparently, he was more than just talk since “Judah was routed by Israel” (14:12) for “God so wrked that he might deliver them into the hands of jehoash because they sought the gods of Edom” (2 Chron 15:20).
Strife between the chosen of the Lord continues and the kings still do evil in the eyes of the Lord. Still, the Lord loves his people, “he saved them by the hand of Jeoboam [II]” (14:27) so the Davidic line would not be severed.
Dark times in the history of our ancestors should serve as a clear warning for us to serve God above our earthly idols…idols such as fame, fortune and possessions. Recently, I was walking out of a movie theater in Universal City (Orlando) and it struck me how much effort (and money) is poured into the entertainment industry. At 11pm people strolled the brightly lit streets with music blaring as they were enticed to join the all-night parties. Parents with young children, men of age, teenagers looking for fun and excitement all wandered the streets. My heart was truly sad for them. Such are the idols of our modern age. The calls to “entertain me” on every corner, in every shop. God please take back this land, show your strong hand and lead your people out of such bondage.