Read 2 Kings 1.
When the need is great enough people search for spiritual
help.
Ahaziah was an evil king over Israel . But as he lay dying from an accident he
wanted spiritual intervention. He turned
to the pagan, made up god called Baal-zebub.
Instead, God sent Elijah.
The majority of the Jews lived in the northern kingdom of
Israel. They separated from Judah. The problem was that Jerusalem
with the Temple
was in the south. Spiritually, the north
had cut themselves off from their true center of worship. Elijah's message from God, in the form of
question, underscored the issue.
King Ahaziah thought he would display his royal power and
authority by sending troops to order Elijah to appear before him. Underneath the surface of this action was the
spiritual battle. It was not the king
against Elijah. It was the hubris of
Ahaziah and his rebellion against the God of heaven. Unfortunately, the king's pride cost the
lives of many soldiers. Finally, the
third captain understood. With great
humility, he pleaded with Elijah for his life and that of his men.
There was no repentance of sin on the part of Ahaziah. In his hurt, he just wanted help from any
spiritual source. The only true
spiritual help and the only hope he for eternity was right in front of
him. Why would a dying man continue to
hold fast to his false beliefs? "Pride
goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall." Proverbs 16:18
"...'God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the
humble.' Submit yourselves therefore to
God."
James 4:6b-7a
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