Bent Oak Church

2 Kings records the collapse of the Israelite kingdoms. As their kings continued to turn away from God that collapse came in military defeat but also in moral clarity. In this week's passage, we see the inability of kings to resolve those conflicts or unravel the complicated ethical complexities. But we also discover a God who is able to save, a god who is able to reverse things in spite of the compromised people at the center.

The Syrians thought they finally had Elisha surrounded. Even Elisha's servant began to panic. But Elisha saw what others could not. He prayed for his servant and his eyes were opened. He could suddenly see the heavenly army surrounding the Syrians. Blindness and sight are recurring Biblical images. We come to recognize that though we see, we can be blind to so much of the truth. We pray for God to open our eyes as well. 

We live in a time when almost nothing feels impossible. Technology has given us more than any previous generation could have imagined. But the tools we use to construct our world are not the only truth. Our tools break. Our projects stop. Our technology fails. We are left like prophets of Elisha not sure where to look but discovering something new and unexpected, an ax head that floats. 

As we celebrate Easter we take a closer look at Jesus's conversations with two of his followers on the road to Emmaus. We discover how our expectations can blind us and how the surprise of resurrection empowers us to live differently. 

2 Kings repeatedly demonstrates the wisdom of servants and the foolishness of kings. The kings appear undiscerning and hostile to God, while it's the servants who understand who God is and understand the reality of their moment. That changes in 2 Kings 5 when a great general becomes a servant and a servant is overcome by greed. How easily we exchange what we have for what the world appears to. It is a trap, a trap that costs us far more than we receive in return. 

Naaman came expecting healing. A man of his reputation was used to getting what he want. And Naaman came prepared to pay for it. What he didn't expect was the disrespect of Elisha sending a messenger with simple orders. Naaman was offended. It took a servant to finally help him realize Elisha had given him good news. 

Having stood before kings, rulers, and officials Elisha next found himself in the company of two everyday women, both facing personal needs. Their situation left them confused about God's intentions but in their moment of fear, they turned to God. They feared him and clung to him. They are models for us of what to do with our own questions, doubts, and fears. 

The coalition of kings that marched on Moab was convinced that God was on their side. When things went wrong they decided to test that theory. They found Elisha and asked for God's opinion. What they heard was what they wanted to hear. It wasn't until their mission failed that they were forced to ask if they really understood what God was doing. It is a question for all of us as well.

In chapter 1, Ahaziah refused to submit to the authority of God. He chose pride and arrogance, but those aren't the only ways of rejecting the authority of God. In chapter two we see how others responded to God's voice through His prophet with skepticism and mockery. It is a warning to all of us to take the words of God seriously. For those who listen and respond humbly, there is the promise of life, living water, healing. 

Ahaziah was more than just the king of Israel, he is a representative of every human attempt to control and manipulate by power. But the futile repetition of his actions reveals the truth of human pride, it goes nowhere. There is no real human progress, not in the things which matter most. Instead, it is the single man willing to humbly submit to God the breaks the cycle of human pride.