[2KG:13:1-25]; [2KG:14:9-16]
Lesson 328 - Senior
Memory Verse
"Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might" (Ecclesiastes 9: 10).
Cross References
I Jehoahaz, King of Israel
1. Jehoahaz reigned seventeen years over Israel, and he did evil in the sight of the Lord, [2KG:13:1-3]. 2. God delivered Israel from Syrians because Jehoahaz sought God's aid, [2KG:13:4-9].II Reign of Jehoash
1. Jehoash's reign over Israel was similar to that of his father in that he did evil in the sight of the Lord, [2KG:13:10-13]. 2. Jehoash was told by Elisha that God would deliver Israel from the hands of Syria, [2KG:13:14-21]. 3. God delivered Israel because of His covenant with their fathers, [2KG:13:22-25]. 4. There was war between Judah and Israel, and Israel won, [2KG:14:9-16].Notes
House Divided
As our Sunday School lessons lead on into the study of the Books of Kings and Chronicles, it should be remembered that nothing in the Word of God is superfluous or unnecessary. God's plan is carried out from one generation to another despite the schemes of men to have it otherwise. God's will is accomplished either because of men's willingness to do His will or in spite of their unwillingness. Much of the study of the Books of Kings and Chronicles is a record of men who did not serve God, whose lives were evil, but yet who were vitally concerned in some manner regarding God's plan of salvation. We learn from these Books of the Bible that Israel was more often than not engulfed in national vice and sin, and that the true worship of God was kept alive by only a faithful few. God had rent in twain the united kingdom of the twelve tribes of Israel because they had forsaken Him. (See [1KG:11:30-40].) Ten of the tribes of Israel had revolted against the rule of Solomon's son, Rehoboam. The result was that the tribes of Judah and Benjamin were all that were left for him to rule. From that time forward, Israel was a house divided against itself. Hundreds of years later when Jesus was on earth, He warned Israel of the danger of their sin and the consequence of disunity and tribal hatreds and jealousies. He said: "Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand: and if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand?" [MAT:12:25-26]). It was God's purpose from the beginning of Israel's existence as a nation that they should be a light to the Gentiles. As we read the divine record of Israel, we see that God's mercy always spared a remnant when judgement came upon them. God said in [JER:30:11]: "Though I make a full end of all nations whither I have scattered thee, yet will I not make a full end of thee: but I will correct thee in measure, and will not leave thee altogether unpunished." However, God's promise that the nation will survive does not mean that each individual soul of the Jews will be saved. Each man must repent in order to be saved. Israel was to play a most vital part in God's plan of salvation. God desired Israel to be joined with Him in the work of redemption, by their preaching the Gospel to a needy world. Herein lies much of the reason that God's benevolence has been poured out upon Israel through the years and generations despite their many backslidings, as a nation, from the worship of God.Jehoahaz and Jehoash
The New Testament requirements are that the elders of the church and others who are in authority be of good report. (See [PHL:4:8]; [1TM:3:7].) In the time of Jehoahaz and Jehoash, the Church and the state were one, and God expected the kings of Israel to be an example to the people in abiding by the Law of Moses. This they very obviously did not do. "Like father, like son" seems to have been true of Jehoahaz and Jehoash. The divine record states the same of them both. "He did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, and followed the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which made Israel to sin; he departed not therefrom" [2KG:13:2];[2KG:13:11]). The Word of God is true; and it was true when the Spirit of the Lord wrote the following: "It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness" [PRO:16:12]). If God had left Israel to follow their own ways and the ways of their kings, Israel would have been overwhelmed by the savage conquests of Syria. We know this to be true from our text, which states, "But Hazael king of Syria oppressed Israel all the days of Jehoahaz."Covenant with God
A very significant thing is found in one verse of our text, which explains God's dealings with Israel in spite of their sins. We read: "The LORD was gracious unto them, and had compassion on them, and had respect unto them, because of his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and would not destroy them, neither cast he them from his presence as yet." Only because of the great covenant God had made with the fathers of Israel was the nation somewhat spared from the cruelties of their enemies. It was not because of their kings, for their lives were evil. It was not because of the majority of the people of the nation, for, as a whole, the people followed their kings. It was because of the faithful few -" the little remnant who obeyed God's precepts -" and because of His covenant, that God helped Israel against their enemies. The true children of God were not ignorant of these things. The Prophet Isaiah said on one occasion, while bewailing the sinfulness of Israel: "Except the LORD of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, and we should have been like unto Gomorrah" [ISA:1:9]). At another time Isaiah, when expressing the mind of God, said: "As the new wine is found in the cluster, and one saith, Destroy it not; for a blessing is in it: so will I do for my servants' sakes, that I may not destroy them all" [ISA:65:8]). It is seldom that even the most ungodly are without some moment in their lives when they have called on God. Despite the misspent life of Jehoahaz, there was a time when he called on God and God answered his prayer. (See [2KG:13:4]) Unfortunately, such spasmodic and occasional times of recognising God are soon forgotten in a life as evil as was that of Jehoahaz. We have no record that his son Jehoash ever called on God. However, it seems that Jehoash saw the wonderful power of God in Elisha and was greatly touched at Elisha's sickness and death. Just how much influence Elisha had had with Jehoash is not known. It probably was not much, because Jehoash was an evil man all the days of his life. He was acquainted with Elisha personally and must have had a certain respect and admiration for the prophet of God. No doubt Elisha had prayed much and often for the salvation of Jehoash, but to no avail. Jehoash well may have felt misgivings for his future without the prayers of Elisha. It is not unusual for sinners to covet the prayers of the people of God in their behalf, while still refusing to serve God themselves. Upon being told by Elisha that God would smite the Syrians, Jehoash was told to shoot an arrow, which he did. Elisha told him this was the arrow of deliverance from the Syrians. But when he was told to smite the ground with his arrows he smote only three times. Elisha was wroth with him because he smote the ground only three times, and thereby would be permitted to strike the Syrians only three times instead of more. Jehoash's lack of enthusiasm in smiting the ground with the arrows of God's deliverance was tragic. One would have thought he would have hated his enemies sufficiently to have been very vehement in expressing his thought toward them. His lack of enthusiasm might be likened to some who feebly hope to receive something from the Lord. They pray several times, but soon lose heart and enthusiasm. God desires those who come to Him to come with fervency of desire. Only those who diligently seek Him will receive anything from God. We shall at best get only partial victories, as did Jehoash, if we put only a halfhearted effort into our petitioning. Halfhearted service will not gain victories for God, either. Our mission in life is to keep our own heart "with all diligence," and to help our fellow men. Whether in the service of music and song, in intercessory prayer for the welfare of others, in the preaching of the Word, in helping the sick and the needy, or whatever you do, "do it heartily, as to the Lord" [COL:3:23]). God sent His Word through Jeremiah: "Cursed be he that doeth the work of the LORD deceitfully [or negligently]."