1. Text summary
2. How is Christ in the text?3. Application
- 2 Kings 7
1. Text summary
Elisha promises, not only will the siege be lifted, but the economic distress (price inflation) will be gone tomorrow. The king's aide expresses doubt, and Elisha says he won't see it for himself. Some lepers at the gate decide to give themselves up to the Syrians. When they arrive, they are all fled. They plunder for a while, then realize they need to tell the city! They hardly dare to believe it, but send out 2 horses to check, and it's true. The king's aide/captain is trampled to death in the gate, fulfilling Elisha's prophecy.
2. Jesus
Jesus' resurrection was also not believed at first, though it meant life for the city and nation.
Jesus condemns rulers who won't believe in Him, and they die without hope.
3. Application
a. Don't live off the benefits of God's work without seeking to bless others (the lepers).
b. Believe God when He speaks promise and comfort to you!
Restoration, and Prophecy - 2 Kings 8
1. Text summary
The widow who helped Elisha returns to claim her land after 7 years out of state. Providentially, Gehazi is telling the king about Elisha's great deeds at the time, so the king grants her request.
The Syrian king is sick, and sends to Elisha for counsel. Elisha tells the messenger that he, the messenger!, will become king and commit atrocities against Israel. The messenger goes back and assassinates the king.
Jehoram, king of Judah, reigns 8 years and dies.
Ahaziah, son of Jehoram, reigns 1 year
2. Jesus
Jesus restores our inheritance, for His sake, not ours.
Jesus sometimes allows wicked rulers to harass and harm His people for a time.
3. Application
a. Trust God to provide for you tangibly - sometimes miraculously.
b. Sometimes prophecy is self-fulfilling, for good or bad. We hear of God promising us blessing for our good, and it moves us to BE good. Or we hear God promise to condemn us for wickedness, and it plunges us to commit that very wickedness.
Jehu's vengeance - 2 Kings 9
1. Text summary
Elisha sends a prophet to anoint Jehu king of Israel.
His leaders accept it when he makes it known to them.
He goes to Samaria, and the kings of Israel and Judah both meet him.
Jehu condemns them for Jezebel's sorceries, and kills them both.
Ahab's son dies on Naboth's vineyard.
Jehu pursues and kills Jezebel, as well.
2. Jesus
Jesus will cut down earthly kings, when the time He appoints comes.
Jesus has a special vendetta against earthly rulers who seduce His people to sin.
3. Application
a. We should cheer the death of the wicked, in one sense (for the good of Christ's people), while also lamenting their unredeemed state.
b. Committing gross injustice will come back to bite you, or your family/heirs.
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