22:8 - We see clearly where Ahab is coming from here. He only wants to hear what his prophets have to say. He doesn't consult the priests of God...he goes to 400 corrupt prophets. They have remained prophets during the reign of the corrupt king Ahab, by telling him whatever he wants to hear, whenever he wants to hear it. They are ancient "yes men." He hates Micaiah, because he speaks the truth no matter how ugly it is for Ahab to hear. We always need to make sure we have people in our lives who will speak truthfully to us...not just tell us what we want to hear.
22:15 - This part is kinda strange. The prophets of Ahab tell Micaiah to confirm what they have already told the king. Micaiah knows they have not spoken the truth, but he confirms what they have to say because he knows that God will is for Ahab to die for his rebellion.
22:16 - BUT...Ahab doesn't believe him. Ahab finally gets Micaiah to say something hat supports what he wants to do and he doesn't believe him (Ironically, he is absolutely right not to believe Micaiah!). What this tells me, is that even before going into battle, Ahab knows that what he is going to do is not God's will. He knows that a true prophet of God will tell him that he will lose the battle. So he pushes Michaiah for the truth and gets it.
22:19ff - Okay, this part is a little bit crazy. What we have to understand is that Micaiah is describing a vision he has seen. Remember the vision the ruler of Egypt had that Joseph decoded? Starving cows eating healthy cows...that didn't really happen, but it represented 7 years of feasting followed by 7 years of famine. This vision is about a big meeting in heaven to determine how they can get Ahab to die for his rejection of God. The vision is not necessarily an actual event, but it does confirm that the 400 prophets are lying and that God allows them to lie in His name so that His will, will be done. This whole section is about God's sovereignty. He doesn't make the prophets lie, but they do and He will use it to bring about His plan. He doesn't force Ahab to listen to the lies, but he does, which will lead to his doom...also fitting into God's plan.
22:31-34 - More sovereignty. The king of Syria uses good battle strategy, try to take out the king of Israel with his best troops. The Syrian King chooses this way, but God uses it in His plan. When they cannot find the king (Because he is dressed as a regular soldier), one of the charioteers chooses to shoot a random soldier in the battle, which happens to be the king of Israel. The soldier chose to shoot at random, and God used that choice to fulfill His prophecy. We can choose to join in with God on His master plan for all eternity, or we can choose to go our own path - either way, our good or bad choices will be weaved into the plan that God is working out to get as many people to Him as possible. I'd much prefer to be one of the Elijahs than one of the Ahabs.
22:38 - The prophecy of Elijah is fulfilled.
1:2 - Baal-Zebub means "lord of the flies." Probably because flies were often associated with rotting, dying bodies and so the "lord of the flies" would be able to drive disease and death away. It seems that Ahaziah has followed int he footsteps of his father and mother (That worked out so well for them).
1:9ff - They try to come in force to arrest Elijah, but he is having none of it. God consumes the enemy soldiers with fire - TWICE! It brings to mind the way that Jesus always evaded capture, until the time was right for him to allow himself to be arrested. Eventually God tells Elijah to go down the mountain with the soldiers to confront Ahaziah.
1:16 - I love the uncompromising nature of Elijah. In this time period is Israel, it seems that you can find thousands of people who will go along with whatever the king wants and just want to "fit in." No matter who is king, Elijah stands up and stays true to the Word of God. Again he faces off with, and humiliates the false god Baal...he tells the king, "Why are you sending for the lord of the flies, isn't there already a real king in Israel? Well, He tells me that because you have rejected Him, you are never going to leave that bed alive." Today in our culture, there are so many people (even Christians) who are willing to just go along with the tide of cultural acceptance...unwilling to make a stand for God. As followers of Christ, we should be uncompromising in our adherence to his way.
2:2-3 - Elisha knows that Elijah is about to be taken away from him, so he refuses to leave his side (Partially because he loves his master, but also because he wants confirmation that he is supposed to be the prophet that takes Elijah's place). He snaps at the other prophets, "I know - be quiet!" because of the tension of the moment and all the conflicting feelings. He is probably sad about losing Elijah. Excited about what God wants to do with him. Scared about what it means to be the number one voice of God to the people of God. Unsure if he has what it takes. He running through all the human emotions and fears.
2:9-10 - Let's clear something up here...when he says he wants a double portion of Elijah's spirit, he is not asking for twice as much spirit as Elijah had. He isn't arrogantly trying to get super-God powers. The double portion is a reference to the portion of inheritance given to the firstborn sons of Israelite families. Basically, Elisha is asking for his prophetic birthright. He wants to inherit the position and power of Elijah...it is a sign of respect - he is saying, "I want to be like you." We should all find people that we can learn from...people that can challenge us, to help us grow...people that can pass down the inheritance of their godly knowledge. We should also find people that we can challenge and raise up as leaders to leave behind us as a legacy of honoring God with our lives.
2:8 and 14 - Elijah slaps the water where the other prophets can see, given Elisha the perfect opportunity to later show that he is taking the place of Elijah. Elisha comes back and slaps the water, the water parts, and everyone can see that he has taken over the role as chief prophet.
2:23ff - What? That sounds a little harsh. A bunch of kids get mauled by bears because they called somebody "baldy?" Wow - talk about harsh! Well, let's clarify a few things. These juveniles, were most likely young men, who knew better than to verbally accost a prophet of God. Secondly, they don't just randomly call him "baldy" - they are calling into question his right and power as a prophet of God. Elijah was always associated with being covered in hair...when these young men say that Elisha is bald, they are basically saying they do not believe that he is God's prophet. Well the she-bears gnawing on their limbs probably showed them differently. God doesn't mes around when people doubt the way He chooses to work in the world...don't forget that.
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