Elisha made a long journey to Syria, a land north of Israel. The king there was sick, and when he heard Elisha was in the city, he sent a man, named Hazael, with gifts, to ask Elisha if he would recover from his sickness. The king knew of Elisha’s power to tell what was to happen: perhaps he was the king who sent his army into Israel, and Elisha had told his plans; and he may have been the one who sent Naaman, the leper, to Elisha to be cured. Perhaps he thought if he sent presents, Elisha would heal him.
Elisha knew the king could get well, but he also knew the messenger was an evil man who would himself take the place of king, and he told this man that he would he the king. Elisha knew how cruel this wicked man would he to the people of Israel, and he wept as he thought of their sufferings.
Next, (ch. 9) we read that Elisha sent a young man to a place east of the Jordan River to tell a man there that God had said he should be king over Israel. It was a time of war and danger, and Elisha told the young man to anoint the new king and come away quickly.
The name of this new king of Israel was Jehu, a fierce general of the army; as soon as he knew he had the power of king he took his soldiers and rode in his chariot quickly to punish the men and women who had taught the people or Israel to worship the great idol, Baal. He did not spare any, so those very wicked people who would not honor God, were suddenly punished.
Jehu was king many years, but he kept only the words of God which suited and still kept up the worship of the gold calves.
“Jehu took no heed to walk in the law of the Lord God of Israel with all his heart.” (ch. 10:31).
So these two new kings Jehu and Hazael were not good men. Yet long before, God had told Elijah: that they should be chosen (1 Kings 19: 15, 16). It was because of the sins of the people that God allowed these fierce men to be rulers, and to do so cruelly.
In school, you study the histories of nations, and it is important to know that it is the Lord above who decides the rulers of nations, and that they are often cruel men, because of the sins of the people. We, who believe in the Lord, are to pray for all, and to be very thankful for all rulers who honor God.
“The Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever He will.”
“His kingdom is from generation to generation.” Daniel 4:32,3432And they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field: they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee, until thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will. (Daniel 4:32)
34And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honored him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation: (Daniel 4:34).
ML 07/30/1939