It was evident that Jehoram's son, Ahaziah, learned nothing from his father's miserable example. The son of Athaliah, the grandson of Ahab and Jezebel, lasted only one year as Judah's ruler and repeated many of his father's sins Ahaziah grew in a home that never acknowledged God as the one true God.. Ahaziah followed in the evil footsteps of his parents and grandparents.
Later, as Ahaziah was in his palace anticipating war with Moab, he suffered a fall and was mortally wounded. He sent servants to distant Ekron to ask advice of their idol god, Baalzebub. But the prophet Elijah stopped the messengers en route and returned them to their king with the message: “Are you consulting a foreign idol because there is no God in Israel? For this offence, you will not recover, but die!”
When Ahaziah heard this message, he sent an officer with 50 men to arrest Elijah. But Elijah refused to be arrested, instead calling fire from heaven to consume the officer and men. The king sent a second 50 men, with the same result. But stupid is as stupid does, because Ahaziah just got more angry and sent third captain with 50 men to take Elijah. The officer of this group, knowing the fate of the first two groups, didn't try to arrest Elijah. Instead, he humbly and respectfully requested Elijah to accompany him. At the LORD's prompting, Elijah went, met the king, and delivered the same message he had given before: the king would die. He died soon after, and having no heir, was succeeded by his brother Jehoram.
It makes you shake your head and wonder how can anyone be so idiotic?
Hmmm...except am I not thus so at times? Have I not done the same stupid things repeatedly because I wanted my own way?
The sin I commit is my own decision. Though God forgives me as confess my sins - I must never take for granted His wonderful mercies in doing so - the consequences often remain long after forgiveness has come. "A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences." Proverbs 22:3
God changes us as we allow Him to transform us through Jesus Christ: "Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect." Romans 12:2
The theme of Kings continues today. Find the Lord and follow Him to success. Hold on to the world and its evil and the ultimate end is destruction.
Later, as Ahaziah was in his palace anticipating war with Moab, he suffered a fall and was mortally wounded. He sent servants to distant Ekron to ask advice of their idol god, Baalzebub. But the prophet Elijah stopped the messengers en route and returned them to their king with the message: “Are you consulting a foreign idol because there is no God in Israel? For this offence, you will not recover, but die!”
When Ahaziah heard this message, he sent an officer with 50 men to arrest Elijah. But Elijah refused to be arrested, instead calling fire from heaven to consume the officer and men. The king sent a second 50 men, with the same result. But stupid is as stupid does, because Ahaziah just got more angry and sent third captain with 50 men to take Elijah. The officer of this group, knowing the fate of the first two groups, didn't try to arrest Elijah. Instead, he humbly and respectfully requested Elijah to accompany him. At the LORD's prompting, Elijah went, met the king, and delivered the same message he had given before: the king would die. He died soon after, and having no heir, was succeeded by his brother Jehoram.
It makes you shake your head and wonder how can anyone be so idiotic?
Hmmm...except am I not thus so at times? Have I not done the same stupid things repeatedly because I wanted my own way?
The sin I commit is my own decision. Though God forgives me as confess my sins - I must never take for granted His wonderful mercies in doing so - the consequences often remain long after forgiveness has come. "A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences." Proverbs 22:3
God changes us as we allow Him to transform us through Jesus Christ: "Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect." Romans 12:2
The theme of Kings continues today. Find the Lord and follow Him to success. Hold on to the world and its evil and the ultimate end is destruction.
