Reading Portion: 2 Kings 1
The second instance where Elijah is seen is, when he came to speak about King Ahaziah, who fell through a lattice from his upper chamber in Samaria and was sick. Ahaziah sent messengers to Baal-Zebub the god of Ekron to enquire about his recovery.
We read in 2 Kings 1:3-4, “But the angel of the LORD said to Elijah the Tishbite. “Arise, go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria, and say to them, ‘Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going to inquire of Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron?’ Now therefore, thus says the Lord: ‘You shall not come down from the bed to which you have gone up, but you shall surely die.’” So Elijah departed.”
GOD wants His children to depend on Him in all circumstances. When we stray away from the track, GOD’s wrath will come upon us. GOD showed no mercy to King Ahaziah because he had seen the paths of his fathers and also the hand of GOD working in their lives, through the ages. But, as he rejected the truth and followed the pagan gods, GOD could not resist. What could be the reason for Ahaziah to send messengers to Baal-Zebub than sending messengers to the GOD of Israel?
There could be two reasons:
- He was declaring that he followed the pagan god
- Or he might have wanted to find a god who speaks what he wanted to hear.
Many people in this age follow the wrong practices of this world, as they like to hear things that entice their hearts. The LORD Almighty who scans the minute thoughts of our heart will reveal all the flaws within but, He will never speak that which entertains us. If your spiritual leader is entertaining you in the church, if they speak things that calm your mind instead of setting it on fire for the cause of holiness, you are following a leader who is a follower of this world.
When people are entertained, GOD raises people like Elijah. Elijah left soon after he conveyed the word of GOD to the messengers. And the king sent his troops to take Elijah into custody. The one who stands for the truth always has enemies. When GOD is on our side, we don’t have to worry about the troops sent by the enemies. The king sent four troops, but the fourth captain had the humility to accept the fact that Elijah is truly a man of GOD. GOD shows mercy to people, who show mercy to His children. Elijah went to the king with that captain and conveyed the prophetic word to the king.
Speaking words with valor will fetch you enemies, but if the words are inspired by GOD, He will take care of your life. Elijah became strong when he had the assurance that GOD was by his side. Dear reader, if you are a minister of GOD and feel like you have reached nowhere, or if you feel like quitting from your call, hang on. GOD needs people like you, to be the Elijah in this century. All you need to do is repent, cry before GOD and take up your mantle and move on, with His guidance.
