2 Kings 13 -- Crisis Faith and Ignorant Faith

Jehoahaz was the son of Jehu and he became king of the northern kingdom of Israel after his father's death.  My commentary said he exhibited "crisis faith".  "The situation became so painfully desperate that Jehoahaz cried out to God for help ... God in His mercy heard and answered the king's prayer and promised to send a deliverer, but only after Jehoahaz was off the scene."

"Crisis faith is rarely deep or lasting ... Crisis faith is undependable."  Jehoahaz never made a real change, and his son Jehoash became king when he died.  "Jehoash displayed ignorant faith:

He followed the wrong example:  "Like Jeroboam, he bowed down to the golden calf idols."

He made a wise decision:  "Elisha had been silent for 40 years, but Jehoash visited him to seek his help.  The king showed respect for the prophet and even addressed him with the same words Elisha used for Elijah when Elijah was taken to heaven."

He made a great mistake:  Elisha had the king shoot arrows toward Syria to indicate they should be attacked.  But then Elisha told him to strike the ground with the remaining arrows.  "He didn't have the spiritual understanding he needed to make the most of it.  Had he been a faithful worshiper of the living God, he would have seen the truth -- the number of times he smote the ground determined how many victories God would give him.  Because Jehoash had ignorant faith, he limited himself to only three victories over the Syrians."  God's promise came true and God's people were spared.

Father, I need more spiritual discernment.  I can't say that I would have done any better.  Help me to see and understand what You are doing and walk with You in true faith.

 

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford