Journal Through the Bible: Week 52 Thursday

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II Kings chapter 8

This chapter is full of politics and Elisha was in the middle of most of it! Syria's king Benhadad was murdered in his bed while recovering from illness. Elisha foretold this evil and what the murderer, who declared himself king, would do to Israel. Jehoram, son of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, married into the household of Ahab and did evil in the sight of the LORD. Edom rebelled and refused to pay tribute to Judah. They set their own king upon their throne. Libnah also revolted from being led by Judah. When Jehoram, king of Judah died (also called Joram, but not to be confused with King Joram of Israel who was his brother-in-law), his son Ahaziah reigned. His mother was Athaliah, the daughter of the wicked Ahab. The twenty-two year old Ahaziah went with his uncle, King Joram of Israel, to battle against Hazael of Syria.

Does God issue any commands?

• It is not stated, but it appears that God sent Elisha to Syria to prophesy the death of Benhadad and the evil that Hazael would do to Benhadad and to the people of Israel.

Does God make any promises?

• God announced to Elisha that He would send a 7 year famine to Israel.

Does this chapter teach anything about Jesus?

• When she petitioned him, the king of Israel restored to the woman of Shunem all the land that was hers as well as any increase taken from it during the famine while she was away. King Jesus restores life to all who petition Him. Old things pass away and all things become new.

Does this chapter teach anything about yet-future events?

• Although Jesus makes all things new in our lives we do not yet see the full increase that is ours because we are yet living in the land of famine. Someday this world will pass away and we will share the new Earth with God. As the Alpha and Omega, Jesus is already there in the future and decrees that these things are ours even though we are waiting for the time to come when we can occupy our land and eat the increase from it.