2 Kings 8 -- The Unraveling Begins

My commentary said, "The events that follow reveal the sinfulness of people, but this section gives us a reminder that God is great and will accomplish His purposes in spite of the sinfulness of people, great and small."

God controls nature:  The people were ignoring God's Word, so He spoke through His creation, reminding them of Who was in charge, my commentary said.  He caused a 7-year famine to chastise the people for their willful sin.

God controls life and death:  The Shunnamite woman's son had died, yet the Lord had raised him from the dead.  "God keeps us among the living and 'in His hand is the life of every creature and breath of all mankind,'" my commentary added.

The wickedness of the human heart:  The Syrian king sent word via a messenger, asking Elisha for God's word about whether he would live or die from an illness.  Elisha answered ambiguously.  The king wouldn't die from the illness, but .... The servant ended up smothering the sick king and became king in his place!  "When the human heart is bent on evil, it can invent all kinds of excuses.  The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; who can understand it?"

This wickedness is about to play out in both Judah and Israel, making sweeping changes to the monarchies.  

Father, I am seeing the same thing in the heart of someone I love.  I've been praying for that person and for Your divine intervention in that person's life.  Please change that heart and heal it, Father.  Please give me wisdom today to know what to do.

 

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford