Daily Devotions
God's Wrath Against Sin
Reading for April 18th: 2 Kings 1-3
But the angel of the LORD said to Elijah the Tishbite, "Arise, go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria, and say to them, 'Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron?"
2 Kings 1:3
There are some pretty disturbing stories in the first few chapters of 2 Kings. Elijah calls down fire from heaven two times to consume 100 men (1:9-12). Small boys who jeer at Elijah are cursed and 42 of them die by two she-bears (2:23-25). What are we to think of all of this violence?
I think we must read these stories in the context of what was going on in Israel. The kings were wicked and had led the people deeper and deeper into idolatry. They were turning from their God to inquire of other gods. The whole nation was standing on the brink of judgment from God.
Elijah's mission was to call the people back to the true God of heaven. He makes many enemies and often stands alone against error and wickedness, but his unwavering passion for God causes him to make these unpopular stands.
Father, give us more men like Elijah who aren't motivated by money or by popularity, but by a passion for Your great name.
