Lack of Zeal

“And the man of God was angry with him, and said, you should have struck five or six times; then you would have struck Syria till you had destroyed it! But now you will strike Syria only three times” 2 Kings 13:19 (NKJV).

When Joash, the king of Israel heard that Elisha was sick, he paid him a visit. During the visit, Elisha took some arrows and told the king to smite the ground with them. This was symbolic of Israel smiting Syria. The king smote the ground three times and stopped. Elisha was very upset and rebuked the king. Our verse notes the cause of the rebuke, the character of the rebuke, and the consequences in the rebuke.

The cause of the rebuke – “You should have struck five or six times.” By smiting the ground only three times was proof that the king was not totally committed to the work of smiting the wicked Syrians. If was not expressive of much dedication. It showed a considerable lack of zeal in opposing evil. Many folks are like Joash in their opposition to evil. They are not very excited about confronting evil in their own life or anywhere else. Evil does not upset them very much. These people are the kind who do not want to fight a war with enough vigor to have a decisive victory. This kind of attitude needs rebuking.

The character of the rebuke – “The man of God was angry.” Elisha’s anger meant that this was no mild-mannered rebuke - it was a stern and earnest rebuke. Many would complain, and some would be especially upset that Elisha showed such anger at a king. They would denounce him for speaking offensively and disrespectfully. Yet Elisha had conviction. He opposed evil as it ought to be opposed. We need more men like Elisha who display righteous indignation over people’s soft attitudes about sin.

The consequences in the rebuke – “You will strike Syria only three times.” Elisha told the king that because of his lack of zeal, he would not smite Syria decisively. He would only smite them three times. That would not defeat Syria in the way they needed to be defeated. If we do not take a strong stand against evil, we will not overcome it. We will end up a victim of evil and not a victor.

(Adapted from Butler Daily Bible Reading)

Soli Deo Gloria (To God Alone Be The Glory)

Quotation of the Week

“The power that compels us comes from the Spirit who indwells us!”

Anonymous

Word Study

Desire (good pleasure)

In Phil. 2:13 we read, “For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure!” (NKJV)

Desire (good pleasure) is the Greek word eudokia (ευδοκια). It is made up of two words: “eu” which means well, or well off and “dokeo” which means to think, to seem, to have an opinion. Thus the word means good will or pleasure; favor, good pleasure, wish, and desire. Eudokia speak of that which pleases. Further, eudokia implies a gracious purpose, a good object being in view, with the idea of a resolve, showing the willingness with which the resolve is made. It is often translated good pleasure.

In Classic Greek eudokia means to be well pleased or content, to consent, approve, to be favored (prosper), to find favor with. In the Septuagint, eudokia means pleasure, or favor. In the New Testament, eudokia can refer to human favor, desire or choice.

God works in us to cause us to do what satisfies and pleases Him. Such is the goal of the sanctification process. Working out our salvation with fear and trembling pleases Him. God’s good pleasure is not an arbitrary whim of a sovereign, but represents that which in the wisdom and love of God would contribute most to the well-being and blessing of the saints. The ultimate goal or purpose of our lives is “His good pleasure.” Our lives are to be lived for God’s greater glory and not for our own selfish desires.

Bible Facts

In Heb. 12:2 we read, “Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.” Look at Jesus Christ! He is the “author (originator) and finisher of our faith.” It is in looking to Him that we are saved, for to look means to trust. When the dying Jews looked to the uplifted serpent, they were healed (Num. 21:4-9). This is an illustration of our salvation through faith in Christ (John 3:14-16). “Looking unto Jesus” describes an attitude of faith and not just a single act.

Bible Quiz

When the Lord appeared to Solomon and told him to ask for anything, how did Solomon refer to himself?

**Answer to last week’s trivia: According to Dr. Luke, after Jesus’ ascension, which two men were proposed as replacements for Judas? Joseph and Matthias (Acts 1:23).

That’s in the Bible

“Suffer fools gladly”

“For ye suffer fools gladly, seeing ye yourselves are wise” (2 Cor. 11:19 KJV).

Having patience with those who are less intelligent than us puts us in the group of those who “suffer fools gladly.” Paul asked the Corinthian church to bear with him like they did when they suffered other fools gladly. Paul desired to instruct them in some areas they might have considered foolish, warning them that they could be deceived into accepting “another Jesus” and a “different gospel” (v. 4). Just mention the name Jesus, and most people have some preconceived ideals associated with that name. There are many Jesus impostors, and it is our job to find and proclaim the real Jesus while “suffering fools gladly” who don’t.

Did You Know – Christian History

McDougall was born in Sydenham, near London, England. He educated at King’s College London, where he trained as a surgeon. On leaving Oxford, he found employment in South Wales, and married Harriette, daughter of Robert John Bunyon. McDougall and his wife Harriette sailed for Borneo on 30 December 1847. He arrived in Sarawak on 29 June 1848 and was appointed the first Bishop of Labuan and Sarawak in 1849. He established a Medical mission there, and a ‘Home School,’ in which children were trained from infancy in the principles of Christianity.

When the funds for the Borneo Mission Society ended in 1853, McDougall returned home to manage the transfer of the mission to the Society for Propagating the Gospel. In 1854, he was back again in Sarawak. The work of the mission grew. McDougall was appointed bishop, of Labuan. He was consecrated at Calcutta on St. Luke’s Day, 1855. Returning to England in 1868, he was appointed Vicar of Godmanchester. Later he was Archdeacon of Huntingdon, then Vicar of Milford on Sea; and finally Archdeacon of the Isle of Wight from 1874 until his death.

A Little Humor

A young man was walking through a supermarket to pick up a few things when he noticed an old lady following him around. Thinking nothing of it, he ignored her and continued on. Finally he went to the checkout line, but she got in front of him. “Pardon me,” she said, “I'm sorry if my staring at you has made you feel uncomfortable. It’s just that you look just like my son, who I haven’t seen in a long time.” “That’s a shame,” replied the young man, “is there anything I can do for you?” “Yes,” she said, “as I’m leaving, can you say Good bye, Mother! It would make me feel so much better.” “Sure,” answered the young man. As the old woman was leaving, he called out, “Good bye, Mother!” As he stepped up to the checkout counter, he saw that his total was $127.50. “How can that be?” he asked, “I only purchased a few things!” “Your mother said that you would pay for her,” said the clerk.

Thought Provoking Church Sign

“Christ came not to save only the ‘down and out’ but also the ‘up and out!’”