Elisha went to Damascus, the capital of Syria. From this we might realize that Elisha’ ministry of teaching God’s truth extended beyond the borders of the Jewish nation. Remember the miracle of saving Naaman from his leprosy. Years before Elijah was told to ordain Hazael to become king of Syria, Jehu to be king of Israel, and Elisha to replace him as prophet. Why? Yet, Hazael at that time did not take the throne. Later, desiring power, Hazael became the terror and the despair of Israel? Why would God have ordained this when we find later all that Hazael did against Israel?
God commanded Elijah to arise, go to Damascus and anoint Hazael to be come king of Syria at a time when Israel had turned their back on God to worship Baal. Idolatry and sin reigned throughout the land. Elijah came to believe that he alone worshipped God and wondered why God did not just destroy them all. A very sad moment in his ministry when it seemed nothing appeared to be going right and it seemed no one worshipped or cared. All this terror and despair began with Jeroboam desiring power. He established idolatrous worship to increase political power over the people by precluding them from going to Jerusalem to worship God. So afraid was he they might defect, he drew them away from all that was Godly.
Desiring Power
Unfortunately, we see much of the same in our society today where some desiring power feign moral reasons while denouncing all that is true and right. Ignoring the truth of God, they build idols of “self-worship” at all cost to gain power. We particularly see this on the far left; but unfortunately we see it in our “modern churches”. Desiring power, they willingly cast aside the truth of the gospel. No wonder our nation faces terror and despair.
God knew the evil heart of Hazael. While desiring power and self-exaltation, he would terrorize the nation of Israel. Yet, God anointed him long before, knowing all that he would do. Go back and look at I Kings 19. God had already determined that all who did not repent and turn to Him would have to face judgement, even if that meant God allowed that judgement to come through an evil pagan foreign king. Were God not to punish Israel for their sins, soon none would remain to worship Him and the plan for salvation could never be fulfilled. At the time God told Elijah that Hazael would be king, only 7000 Israelites had not bowed down to worship Baal. For the sake of their future and for the sake of salvation to come, the rest would be destroyed.
So, God anointed Hazael as king, not condoning his evil treachery; but, rather allowing it that God might save the remnant who believed in Him as Lord and Savior. While others desiring power, destroy the truth of the gospel, are there 7000 Christians today who will stand firm for God’s truth?
Terror and Despair
King Benhadad of Syria became ill and sought the counsel of Elisha. After all, he had seen God’s work through the prophet, even his own defeats. He desired to know if he would survive the illness. So, he sent 40 camels loaded with their best produce. Hazael went to Elisha bearing the gifts and asking if the King would recover. Elisha said, “he will recover from the illness; but I also see that he will die.” Then as Elisha stood there with his eyes fixed upon Hazael, he saw “the evil that thou (Hazael) wilt do unto the children of Israel: their strong holds wilt thou set on fire, and their young men wilt thou slay with the sword, and wilt dash their children, and rip up their women with child” (2 Kings 8:12). For this Elisha wept bitterly.
After all his teaching and ministry, the vast majority of Israel had not repented. Judgement must come, even if at the hands of this man who stood before him. Hazael said, “who do you think I am some dog?” But Elisha knew exactly who he was, one-man desiring power who denounced the truth of God. Although Hazael believed in his own self righteousness and “moral character”, he failed to see the darkness of his own heart. He returned to King Benhadad to tell him that he would survive the illness. Then the next morning he seized his opportunity to kill the King and take over his throne.
Concluding Thoughts:
Woe to us, if we do not weep over this our nation and cry out for its repentance? Should we not weep over every lost soul who does not know God? There should be an urgency of spirit drawing us to reach out to others with the gospel message. This life is but a second in time compared to eternity. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? (Matthew 16:26).
Must we not weep, knowing that men and women choose to reject the gift of salvation from Jesus Christ. They desiring power and self-exaltation refuse to accept Him as Lord and Master of their life; although, He offers them life eternal?
DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR?
If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because, He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.
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Previous Posts in This Series:
Do You Know All Things Work Together for Good?
What if Desperation Leads to Life and Joy?
Moralizers so Blinded to God’s Truth and Their Guilt
Do You Really Know God as Omnipotent, Omniscient Lord?
Does God Really Care About the Little Stuff?
How Can Someone So Close Not Know God?
Can a Missed Opportunity Leave a Nation to Fall?
One Unlikely Believer and the Grace of God
Do You Trust God in the Famine?
Is Love Really Worth the Heartbreak?
Are you Really Seeking God in All You Do?
Do You Believe God is Your Provider?
What Can One God Fearing Man Do?
What Happens When We Fail to Teach Our Children?
How to Revive Barren Lands with Living Waters
Who will Carry the Torch for God Against Evil?
What if God’s Work Leaves You Alone and Depressed?
Can You See The Army of God Surrounding You?
©Effie Darlene Barba, 2018
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.