The Man Who Wept (2 Kings 8:7—10:36)

THE MAN WHO WEPT (2 KINGS 8:7—10:36)

Solomon said that there is “a time toS weep enemy. It was in Damascus that plans had been Eand a time to laugLh” (Ecclesiastes 3I:4a). As a rule, made Hto capture Elisha andA perhaps kill him (see the Lord wants His people to be happy (Psalm 6:8–13). Now the prophet was audaciously 32:11; Philippians 4:4); but there are times when marching into that metropolis. it is appropriate to be sad (Matthew 5:4; Romans Why was he there? Perhaps he hoped to visit 12:15). In fact, there are times when it is in- with Naaman to encourage him to remain faith- appropriate to be happy. ful to the decision he had made (5:15, 17), but his Jeremiah wept over the sinfulness of God’s primary purpose was to fulfill a divine commis- people and the subsequent destruction of Jerusa- sion given long before. At Mount Horeb, the lem (Jeremiah 9:1; Lamentations). Jesus wept Lord had told Elisha’s predecessor, Elijah, when a friend died (John 11:35), when He con- templated the fate of Jerusalem (Luke 19:41–44), . . . Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus, and when you have arrived, you and as He faced the cross (Hebrews 5:7). Paul shall anoint Hazael king over Aram; and Jehu wrote to the Corinthians “with many tears” the son of Nimshi you shall anoint king over (2 Corinthians 2:4). Israel; and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel- meholah you shall anoint as prophet in your In the text for this presentation, we read, place. It shall come about, the one who escapes “And the man of God wept” (2 Kings 8:11b). In from the sword of Hazael, Jehu shall put to this lesson, we will see Elisha’s far-reaching in- death, and the one who escapes from the sword of Jehu, Elisha shall put to death (1 Kings fluence: He was a man with political power, a 19:15–17). king-maker in two nations. However, this was nothing to the prophet compared to the tragedy In the first lesson of our series, we saw Elijah that would befall Israel (v. 12). In spite of his carry out the third part of this commission: the efforts, the nation and its leaders had persisted in setting apart of Elisha for holy service. Why did rebelling against God—and that broke his heart. Elijah not carry out parts one and two immedi- This study is taken from 2 Kings 8—10, chap- ately? Apparently, during his ministry, the time ters that cover much of the latter part of Elisha’s was not right for the anointing of Hazael or Jehu. ministry. It was a bloody period in the history of The tasks had thus been passed on to Elisha. The Israel, filled with events that would cause any first command had been to “go . . . to the wilder- tenderhearted person to weep. ness of Damascus, and . . . anoint Hazael” (1 Kings 19:15). The time had come for that order to be TWO SWORDS OF JUSTICE carried out—so Elisha traveled to Damascus. (8:7—10:36) It happened that “Ben-hadad king of Aram was sick” (2 Kings 8:7b). We are not told what the The Sword of Hazael illness was. Whatever the sickness was, it was The story begins with these surprising words: severe—life-threatening. “Then Elisha came to Damascus” (8:7a). Dam- A messenger informed the king, “ The man ascus was the capital of Aram, Israel’s longtime of God has come here” (8:7c). Earlier, the king

1 would have said, “Capture Elisha—and bring shown me that he will certainly die” (8:10). What me his head!” Now, however, he was no longer did Elisha mean? Burton Coffman noted that the the vigorous commander in chief concerned latter part of the sentence is said to be from “the about battle plans. Now he was a sick, old man. LORD,” but that the first part is not.2 His conclu- Illness can change a person’s point of view (see sion (and the conclusion of many writers) is that Psalm 119:71). the first part of the sentence indicates Elisha’s Elisha’s miraculous abilities were known to awareness of the lie Hazael would tell to the this king; they had thwarted him often enough king. Using this interpretation, Elisha’s words in the past (2 Kings 6:8–23). Also, Naaman had might be paraphrased this way: “You go ahead likely related the story of his healing many times. and tell the king that he will surely recover— The ruler thus called a trusted attendant named even as you planned—but the Lord has shown Hazael (the very man God had mentioned to me that he will certainly die.” Elijah). He told Hazael, “Take a gift in your hand Another possibility (preferred by other writ- and go to meet the man of God” (8:8a). ers, including myself) is that Elisha’s answer to Earlier, the king had sent lavish gifts to be the question “Will I recover . . . ?” is “Yes and presented by Naaman; now he would send his No”: “Yes, you will recover since your sickness own. In principle, such gifts were to appease the is not a fatal illness. If that were all you had to pagan gods; in reality, they were bribes to the worry about, you would live. Nevertheless, the false priests and false prophets: Usually, the answer is no because the Lord has shown me bigger the gift, the more favorable “revelation” that you will die.” “In other words, the sickness the giver received. As I read about the king’s was not terminal but the king’s life was about to gift, I wonder if Naaman had told the king about be terminated.”3 Gehazi’s request (lie), which indicated that In verse 11 we find another challenge in Elisha would be willing to accept such gifts. interpretation. The text says, “He fixed his gaze The king told Hazael to “inquire of the Lord” steadily on him until he was ashamed” (8:11a). It through Elisha, asking, “Will I recover from this is unclear to whom the two “he’s” refer. Some sickness?” (8:8b). Probably, the ruler had al- think the first “he” refers to Elisha while the ready consulted his pagan gods (see 5:18) but second “he” refers to Hazael. Others are con- had received no satisfaction. vinced the first “he” refers to Hazael while the An amazing gift was gathered: “forty camel’s second is speaking of Elisha (see the NCV). Some loads” of “every kind of good thing of Dam- would even make both “he’s” refer to Elisha, or ascus” (8:9b). Damascus was the center of trade both to Hazael. My preference is the first possi- between Egypt, Asia Minor, and Mesopotamia, bility mentioned. The CJB has “Then the man of so the “good thing[s]” there were “good” in- God [Elisha] fixed his gaze on him [Hazael] for deed: precious metals, fine clothing, a wide range so long that Hazael became embarrassed.” of handcrafted goods, the most exotic food and Here is a possible sequence: Elisha told Hazael drink. It would be difficult to imagine a more that the Lord had said Ben-hadad would die. He impressive present, but there is no indication then paused and gave Hazael a meaningful look, that Elisha accepted it when it arrived. indicating that he knew exactly how the king Hazael located Elisha (8:9a). He “stood be- would die. Hazael, who had already made plans fore him and said, ‘Your son Ben-hadad king of to assassinate the king, was startled and could Aram has sent me to you, saying, “Will I recover not look the prophet in the eye. from this sickness?”’” (8:9c). “Your son” was a Because Elisha revealed that the king would term of respect, but it also implied dependence. die, some authors try to make Elisha (and God) Elisha’s reply puzzles scholars: “Go, say to responsible for the deed. It is true that God knew him, ‘You will surely recover,’1 but the LORD has 2James Burton Coffman and Thelma B. Coffman, Com- 1Some ancient manuscripts have “You will not surely mentary on Second Kings, James Burton Coffman Commen- recover,” but the reading “You will surely recover” “is to taries, The Historical Books, vol. 6 (Abilene, Tex.: A.C.U. be preferred” (J. Robert Vannoy, notes on 2 Kings, The NIV Press, 1992), 100–102. Study Bible, ed. Kenneth Barker [Grand Rapids, Mich.: 3Warren W. Wiersbe, Be Distinct (Colorado Springs, Zondervan Publishing House, 1985], 537). Colo.: Victor, 2002), 61.

2 that Ben-hadad would die (8:10). He also knew Hazael “departed from Elisha and returned the atrocities that Hazael would commit (8:12), to his master, who said to him, ‘What did Elisha and He had Elisha announce both incidents in say to you?’” (8:14a). To the question “Will I advance. However, this does not mean that God recover from this sickness?” (8:8), the prophet and Elisha were responsible for these evil deeds had, in effect, answered, “Yes and No”—but or that those who committed them were not held Hazael only gave the king the “yes” part of the accountable (see Amos 1:3–5). In an earlier les- response: “He told me that you would surely son, I stated that I can know what someone did recover” (8:14b). in the past without that knowledge interfering The “no” part of Elisha’s answer was ful- with the free will of that individual. In the same filled the next day: “On the following day, he way, an omniscient God can know in advance [Hazael] took the cover and dipped it in water that a person will do something without this and spread it on his [the king’s] face, so that he interfering with his free will. died” (8:15a) of asphyxiation. The word trans- As Elisha and Hazael stood looking at each lated “cover” refers to a cloth of coarse texture. It other, a vision of what Hazael would do to the could refer to a blanket on the king’s bed (NCV) Israelites flashed through the prophet’s mind. or even to a mat from the floor. Perhaps Hazael At that point, “the man of God wept” (8:11b). used this method of assassination to make it Hazael asked, “Why does my lord weep?” appear that the king died a natural death. Fol- (8:12a). Elisha answered, “Because I know the lowing Ben-hadad’s death, there was no doubt a evil that you will do to the sons of Israel: their power struggle in Damascus; ultimately, how- strongholds you will set on fire, and their young ever, Elisha’s words came true: “And Hazael men you will kill with the sword, and their little became king in his place” (8:15b). ones you will dash in pieces, and their women “Hazael . . . was a strong king of Aram with child you will rip up” (v. 12b). Such bru- (c. 843–796/7 BC).”7 Did he do the things Elisha talities were “normal” in ancient warfare (see had foretold? Yes. Later in chapter 8, we see him 2 Kings 15:16; Hosea 13:16).4 Thus would “the warring against the king of Israel (8:28; see 9:14). sword of Hazael” (1 Kings 19:17) wreak dreadful In 10:32 we read, “In those days the LORD began vengeance on those who had forsaken the Lord. to cut off portions from Israel; and Hazael de- Hazael replied, “But what is your servant, feated them throughout the territory of Israel.” who is but a dog, that he should do this great On at least one occasion, Hazael even brought thing?” (2 Kings 8:13a). Some translations inter- his forces into the southern kingdom of Judah pret the text as though Hazael said, “Am I a dog (12:17, 18). [a despicable person] that I should do such ter- In 2 Kings 13, we find these summary state- rible things?” (see the KJV; NCV). However, ments: “So the anger of the LORD was kindled Hazael did not say “terrible things,” but “great against Israel, and He gave them continually thing[s].” He used the term “dog” not in the into the hand of Hazael king of Aram . . .”; “Now sense of being vile, but in the sense of being Hazael king of Aram . . . oppressed Israel all the insignificant. The REB has “But I am a dog, a days of Jehoahaz” (vv. 3, 22). The people of God mere nobody. . . .” Assyrian records refer to had not kept their covenant with God, and the Hazael as the “son of a nobody.”5 consequences were terrible. Elisha perhaps shook his head as he re- sponded, “The LORD has shown me that you will The Sword of Jehu be king over Aram” (8:13b).6 Hazael was prob- God had told Elijah not only to anoint Hazael, ably delighted to hear that prediction. but also to anoint “Jehu the son of Nimshi” as “king over Israel” (1 Kings 19:16). The Lord had said that “the one who escapes from the sword of Hazael, 4Coffman added that “even today, there is no such thing as a ‘kind’ war” (Coffman, 103). Jehu shall put to death” with his “sword” (1 Kings 5Donald J. Wiseman, 1 and 2 Kings: An Introduction and Commentary, Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries a ceremony took place. Hazael’s “anointing” was probably (Downers Grove, Ill.: Inter-Varsity Press, 1993), 214. like that which Elisha himself received: a “setting-apart” 6Some believe that, at this point, Elisha anointed (by word or action) to fulfill the purposes of the Lord. Hazael with oil; but there is nothing to indicate that such 7Wiseman, 214.

3 19:17). Hazael punished a sinful nation from with- every male, both bond and free in Israel; and I will make your house like the house of Jeroboam out; Jehu would punish sinful men from within. the son of Nebat [see 1 Kings 15:28–30], and The responsibility of anointing Jehu had fallen to like the house of Baasha the son of Ahijah [see Elisha—and it was time to fulfill that task. 1 Kings 16:8–12], because of the provocation with which you have provoked Me to anger, The end of 2 Kings 8 gives a brief account of the and because you have made Israel sin. Of reign of Jehoram in the southern kingdom of Judah Jezebel also has the LORD spoken, saying, “The (8:16–23). When Jehoram died, his son Ahaziah dogs will eat Jezebel in the district of Jezreel” became king (8:24–27). When Ahaziah became king (1 Kings 21:20b–23). of Judah, he introduced the worship of Baal into Ahab’s response to this terrible prophecy de- the southern kingdom (see 8:26, 27; 11:18). Some layed its fulfillment (1 Kings 21:27–29) but did time after this, he and his uncle Joram, king of not negate it. Israel, went to battle with Hazael at Ramoth-gilead After Ahab’s death, Jehu served Ahab’s son (8:28; see 9:14b), a strategic Israelite fortress on the Joram and rose to a position of authority. He eastern side of the Jordan (see the map on page 8 of was probably commander of the forces of Israel the article “Elisha: The Man Who Blessed a Life”). (see 2 Kings 9:5; NIV). As 2 Kings 9 opens, he During the battle, Joram was wounded (8:28). was with his army at Ramoth-gilead (9:1, 2), Joram’s troops remained at Ramoth-gilead fighting against Hazael (9:14). (see 9:1–4) while the king was taken to his winter It was time to anoint Jehu, but Elisha himself palace at Jezreel (see the map on page 8 of the did not go to Ramoth-gilead to do the deed. It has article “Elisha: The Man Who Blessed a Life”) to been suggested that he was too old to travel, but recover (8:29a). (Perhaps he went to Jezreel be- he was probably just in his forties. More likely, cause his mother, Jezebel, was there [see 9:30]; he knew that he would be recognized, and there most of us like a mother’s care when we are was a need for secrecy. He therefore sent “one of ailing.) Shortly thereafter, Ahaziah came to the sons of the prophets” (9:1–3). Perhaps this Jezreel to check on Joram (8:29b). The stage was was the servant who had replaced Gehazi.8 thus set for the punishment of both Joram and The young man found Jehu, took him apart Ahaziah (see 2 Chronicles 22:6, 7). from the other military leaders, and poured oil Chapter 9 begins with the anointing of Jehu. on his head (9:4–6a). This is the only record in Before we look at that text, some background is the Scriptures of a king of Israel (the northern in order. We learn from 9:25 that Jehu was present kingdom) being anointed by a representative of with Ahab at Naboth’s vineyard when Elijah the Lord. The prophet-trainee then gave Jehu cursed Ahab and his household. On that occa- this fearsome commission: sion, the Lord had told Elijah,

Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, “I have Arise, go down to meet Ahab king of Israel, anointed you king over the people of the LORD, who is in Samaria; behold, he is in the vineyard even over Israel. You shall strike the house of of Naboth where he has gone down to take Ahab your master, that I may avenge the blood possession of it. You shall speak to him, saying, of My servants the prophets, and the blood of “Thus says the LORD, ‘Have you murdered and all the servants of the LORD, at the hand of also taken possession?’” And you shall speak Jezebel. For the whole house of Ahab shall to him, saying, “Thus says the LORD, ‘In the perish, and I will cut off from Ahab every male place where the dogs licked up the blood of person both bond and free in Israel. . . . The Naboth the dogs will lick up your blood, even dogs shall eat Jezebel in the territory of Jezreel, yours’” (1 Kings 21:18, 19). and none shall bury her” (9:6b–10a). When Elijah reached the vineyard, Ahab was inspecting his new acquisition, accompanied by When Jehu returned to his fellow officers, Jehu and another officer (2 Kings 9:25). When the they wondered what the man’s mission had king saw Elijah, he said, “Have you found me, been. At first Jehu evaded their questions, but O my enemy?” (1 Kings 21:20a). Elijah replied, 8“A rabbinical fancy, scarcely to be called a tradition, I have found you, because you have sold your- makes [the servant] ‘Jonah, the son of Amittai’” (G. Raw- self to do evil in the sight of the LORD. Behold, linson, “2 Kings,” The Pulpit Commentary, vol. 5, 1 & 2 Kings, I will bring evil upon you, and will utterly ed. H. D. M. Spence and Joseph S. Exell [Grand Rapids, sweep you away, and will cut off from Ahab Mich.: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1950], 188).

4 finally he admitted, “He said to me, ‘Thus says cause he was seizing the throne by assassination the LORD, “I have anointed you king over Is- as Zimri had done forty-five years earlier (see rael”’” (9:12b). The other leaders enthusiasti- 1 Kings 16:8–10). Perhaps there was also a sinister cally accepted the commander as their new ruler. implication in her words: Zimri had only reigned A trumpet was blown, and they shouted, “Jehu seven days before taking his own life (16:15, 18). is king!” (9:13b). Jehu instructed them to make By this time, faces had appeared in the win- sure no one left the city to warn Joram (9:15b). dows of the palace. Jehu shouted up, “Who is on He then mounted his chariot and raced (see my side? Who?” (9:32a). Two or three frightened 9:20b) westward, forty-five or fifty miles to officials evidently nodded (9:32b). Jehu com- Jezreel (9:16). manded them, “Throw her down” (9:33a). We As Jehu and those with him neared Jezreel, a then have a dreadful scene best depicted with- horseman was sent to meet them (9:17), probably out comment: “So they threw her down, and to ask how the battle was going. Jehu added the some of her blood was sprinkled on the wall and messenger to his company and drove on (9:18). on the horses, and he [Jehu] trampled her under A second horseman was sent, with the same foot [with his chariot and horses]” (9:33b). result (9:19, 20). Finally, King Joram and King With no one to oppose him, Jehu took posses- Ahaziah rode out in their chariots to meet Jehu sion of the palace and sat down to eat his first (9: 21a). Do not overlook the ominous note at the meal as the new king (9:34a). The meal must end of verse 21: “They went out to meet Jehu and have mellowed him somewhat, because he de- found him in the property of Naboth the Jezreelite” cided that—despite her devilish ways—Jezebel (emphasis mine). deserved a proper burial.10 He told his atten- Jehu shot Joram with an arrow (9:24) and told dants, “See now to this cursed woman and bury his officer Bidkar, her, for she is a king’s daughter” (9:34b). Jezebel was the daughter of the king of the Sidonians . . . Take him up and cast him into the property (1 Kings 16:31), not to mention the wife of a king of the field of Naboth the Jezreelite, for I remember when you and I were riding together and the mother and grandmother of kings. after Ahab his father, that the LORD laid this However, when they went out to bury Jezebel, oracle against him: “Surely I have seen yester- “they found nothing more of her than the skull day the blood of Naboth and the blood of his and the feet and the palms of her hands” (2 Kings sons,” says the LORD, “and I will repay you in this property,” says the LORD. Now then, take 9:35); dogs had eaten the rest. Someone said that and cast him into the property, according to the the savage scavengers of that day “had as soon word of the LORD (9:25, 26). eat a dead queen as a dead deer.” When the servants reported what had happened, Jehu saw King Ahaziah fled, but he was wounded and in the tragedy a fulfillment of Elijah’s prophecy: died shortly thereafter (9:27, 28).

By the time Jehu arrived at Jezreel, word had . . . “This is the word of the LORD, which He reached the infamous Jezebel that the com- spoke by His servant Elijah the Tishbite, say- mander had killed her son (see 9:30, 31). “She ing, ‘In the property of Jezreel the dogs shall eat the flesh of Jezebel; and the corpse of Jezebel painted her eyes and adorned her head” (9:30b). will be as dung on the face of the field in the Was she hoping to seduce Jehu? Perhaps; though property of Jezreel, so they cannot say, “This is no longer young, she was probably still attrac- Jezebel”’” (9:36, 37). tive. More likely, she wanted to “die like a queen.” Perhaps she envisioned her body lying in state, Jezebel learned the hard way that “beauty with mourners commenting on her beauty. doesn’t last” (Proverbs 31:30; LB). Her body As Jehu entered the gate of the city, she would not lie in state as mourners admired her looked out a window of the palace and called beauty; her body would not lie in state at all. down, “Is it well,9 Zimri, your master’s mur- Thus began the reign of Jehu, a reign of derer?” (9:30c, 31). She called Jehu “Zimri” be- twenty-eight years (10:36). Chapter 10 tells how Jehu carried out his mission of killing descen- 9Some see in the words “Is it well?” (shalom) an at- tempt at reconciliation, but the words that follow suggest 10Had he forgotten that the son of the prophet had said that the question was intended to be ironic. that Jezebel would not be buried? (See 2 Kings 9:10.)

5 dants of Ahab and eradicating worshipers of 9:21, 25, 26). Elijah had told Ahab that all of his Baal. Think of it as a kind of radical surgery: descendants would be destroyed (1 Kings 21:21), removing every vestige of a disease in hopes that and this prophecy came to pass (2 Kings 10:17). the body might live. Although Jehu had an ulterior motive when he made the statement, he still spoke the truth FOUR STATEMENTS OF TRUTH when he said that “there shall fall to the earth The story of Hazael and Jehu is a gruesome nothing of the word of the LORD . . .” (2 Kings tale soaked in blood. What possible lessons can 10:10). To “fall to the earth” was to “perish” or we glean from it? Let me suggest four truths we “come to nothing.” The NIV has “not a word the ought to take to heart. LORD has spoken . . . will fail.” Second Kings 8—10 makes clear that when 1. God Is in Control. the Lord says something will happen, it will If you and I had lived in the turbulent days of happen. God’s Word is certain of fulfillment Hazael and Jehu, we might have wondered, “Why though all the powers of evil conspire against it. is God allowing this to happen?” Second Kings The wicked will weep because this is true (see 8—10 lets us know that, instead of losing control Matthew 7:13, 14; 1 Corinthians 6:9, 10; 16:22; of the situation, God was completely in control. Galatians 5:19–21). The godly can rejoice be- As ungodly as Hazael and Jehu were, He used cause this is certain (see Isaiah 1:18; John 14:1–3; them as instruments of justice. 1 John 1:7; 3:2). When we are surrounded by chaos, it is difficult to see reason or purpose in the confusion. 3. The Consequences of Sin Are Terrible. At such times, it is good to be reminded that A striking message of 2 Kings 8—10 is that “God reigns over the nations” (Psalm 47:8a; see the consequences of sin are terrible. The devil 22:28). He can make nations great and then de- makes the path of disobedience appear attrac- stroy them (Job 12:23); He can nullify the counsel tive; but, in the end, “the way of transgressors is of national leaders and frustrate their plans hard” (Proverbs 13:15; KJV). “There is a way (Psalm 33:10). Above all, we need to cling to the which seems right to a man, but its end is the way promise that, no matter how hard life may be- of death” (Proverbs 16:25). Thoughtful individu- come, “God causes all things to work together als have discovered the truth of Galatians 6:7, 8a: for good to those who love God, to those who are “. . . whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28). For the one who sows to his own flesh will from I am not saying we can always understand the flesh reap corruption.” why things happen as they do, but it helps to From time to time, God has given vivid ob- remember that God can make good come from ject lessons to impress upon people’s minds the evil. It is not easy to walk by faith instead of sight fact that sin brings terrible consequences—not (see 2 Corinthians 5:7), but God is still on His only to the sinner, but to others. Think of the throne; He remains in control. flood that wiped out thousands of rebellious souls and their families. Consider the destruc- 2. The Word of God Is Sure. tion of Sodom and Gomorrah, a catastrophe so A lesson the Holy Spirit wanted all readers to complete that the two cities were annihilated. learn is that God’s Word is sure. Throughout Contemplate the death of the firstborn Egyp- 2 Kings 8—10, it is noted again and again that tian males and the demise of the Egyptian sol- God’s Word came to pass. God’s prophet Elisha diers as they pursued the Israelites into the Red predicted that Ben-hadad would die (8:10), and Sea. The punishment of Israel by Hazael and he did (8:15). Elisha promised that Hazael would the destruction of Ahab’s family and Baal wor- become king of Aram (8:13), and he did (8:15). shipers by Jehu are added reminders that the Elisha told of Hazael’s oppression of Israel (8:12), Lord does not take disobedience lightly. and it happened just as the prophet foretold (see Second Kings 8—10 should make us examine 10:32, 33; 13:3, 22). Elijah said that the blood of our hearts and lives. If we find sin and rebellion Naboth would be avenged in the vineyard taken there, we need to repent and return to God at from him (1 Kings 21:19), and it was (2 Kings once!

6 4. Our Hearts Should be Touched. If we truly care, we will stop making excuses and A fourth truth brings us back to the theme of will start taking the gospel to others. It is their our lesson: “The Man Who Wept.” For years, only hope (Romans 1:16)! Israel had rebelled against God. They had aban- doned the Lord and had gone after other “gods.” CONCLUSION There seemed no limit to their wickedness. When The greatest tragedy in a tragic event is the Lord sent prophets to call them back, they when nothing is learned from it, when nothing is mocked God’s messengers and killed many of made better. From the tragedies of 2 Kings 8— them. They had earned the harshest of punish- 10, we have pulled four basic truths: (1) God is in ments. Nevertheless, when Elisha learned their control: We should be calm. (2) The Word of God is fate (8:12), he did not rejoice and say, “It’s about sure: We can be confident. (3) The consequences of time! They are getting what they deserve!” No, sin are terrible: We must be careful. (4) Our hearts rather, “the man of God wept” (8:11). should be touched: We need to care. A moment ago, I mentioned the consequences The question now is, Will we learn these of sin. Some of those consequences are in this truths? More important, will our lives be made world (see Romans 1:27b); most will be in the better as a result? world to come (Revelation 20:11–15). When we see the wicked suffering as they “reap what they NOTES FOR TEACHERS have sown” (see Galatians 6:7, 8), or when we & PREACHERS read of the eternal punishment of the disobedi- When you use this sermon, you will want to ent (Matthew 7:21–23; 8:12; Mark 9:47, 48; Rev- encourage your listeners to become Christians elation 21:8), what is our response? Are we glad— and admonish unfaithful Christians to be re- or sad? If Elisha wept when he considered the stored (see Acts 2:38; 8:22). Regarding unfaithful temporal punishment of the Israelites, how much Christians, you might say, “The Israelites were more should we weep when we contemplate the punished because they broke their covenant with eternal punishment of those we meet each day! God. When you were baptized, you made a A church was without a preacher. They in- covenant to be faithful to the Lord. Have you vited several men to come and preach a sermon. kept that covenant? If not, you need to return to One Sunday, a man came and preached on hell. Him today!” The next Sunday, another man came and his —David Roper sermon was also on hell. They decided to ask the second man to work with them. Later someone asked them why they made that choice. They ARCHEOLOGICAL NOTE said, “The first preacher said people were going “The Black Obelisk of Shalmaneser III illus- to hell, and he acted glad. The second preacher trates Jehu prostrating himself before the Assyrian said people were going to hell, and he was sad. king (the date would be about 840 B.C., at the We all wanted the second speaker.” beginning of Jehu’s reign) and offering gifts, pos- Somewhere I saw the title of a lecture that sibly with a view to buying support against Hazael read something like this: “A Dry-Eyed Church in of Damascus. Adad-Nirari III (c. 812–782 B.C.), in a Hell-Bent World.” Is it possible that we can see an inscription found at Nimrud, also claimed to those around rushing headlong into hell and have received tribute from ‘the territory of Omri.’ remain unmoved? When Jesus looked at Jerusa- . . . 2 Kings also describes the paying of tribute by lem—the city that rejected Him, the city that Israel to Assyria in the reigns of Menahem (c. 745– would crucify Him, but also the city that would 738 B.C.) and Hoshea (c. 732–724 B.C.); see 2 Kings be destroyed—He wept (Luke 19:41–44; see 15:19ff.; 17:3.”11 Matthew 23:37, 38). When Paul wrote to the church at Corinth—a church filled with every 11John B. Taylor, Ezekiel: An Introduction and Commen- problem imaginable—he wept (2 Corinthians tary, Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries, ed. D. J. 2:4). He asked them, “Who is led into sin without Wiseman (Downers Grove, Ill.: Inter-Varsity Press, 1969), 172. The obelisk is discussed in D. Winton Thomas, ed., my intense concern?” (2 Corinthians 11:29b). Documents from Old Testament Times (New York: Harper & Are we concerned about those who are lost? Brothers, 1958), 48–49, plate 3.