The most fundamental question of our life
2 Kings 1:1-18
When I was learning to drive, my instructor let me try a new manoeuvre once or twice before moving on to the next thing. This felt quite unsatisfactory as I did not feel I have learnt what she had shown me. When she could not carry on with our lessons, another instructor took over. After assessing my weak points, he got me to practise one thing at a time over and over again until I could do it consistently well. Repetition may be boring but unavoidable in developing certain skills. Although the question of trusting God or other gods is not a skill but a choice, it took God’s people repeated situations to appreciate that indeed they had a God who had the power over life and death. Much as it may seem boring to read about it when we might want a new challenge, it is the most fundamental lesson of our life with God.
Seeking help other than God’s
King Ahaziah follows in the footsteps of his parents, Ahab and Jezebel, when after his accident he seeks out the god Baal-zebub in Ekron (2 Kings 1:2).[1] Ekron was one of the five Philistine cities on the south-western plain near the Mediterranean coastline, so that Ahaziah not only inquires of a god other than Yahweh but does so outside Israel’s territory. Elijah intercepts the messengers with God’s Word challenging the king to consider if there is really no god in Israel from whom he could inquire (2 Kings 1:6). This is the key question of the whole series of incidents linked to Elijah. Is Yahweh God or is it Baal? Whom will God’s people trust? While Ahab witnessed the power of God and the futility of serving Baal (1 Kings 18:38-39), he was still reluctant to submit to Yahweh. His son follows in his footsteps even though shortly before he would have witnessed his father’s death because Ahab refused to submit to the Lord (1 Kings 22:34-36).
The way of life and death
Ahaziah is his parents’ son in trying to suppress God’s message by seizing Elijah with soldiers (2 Kings 1:9). The king has not learnt the lesson that trying to silence the messenger will not invalidate their message of truth. Reminiscent of the prophet’s showdown with the Baal priests, Elijah calls down fire on the soldiers who are meant to take him (2 Kings 1:10). Neither does the king learn from his mistake but perseveres in the same foolish course only to lose another party of men (2 Kings 1:11-12). His stubborn resistance to the truth in sending a third group is contrasted with the captain’s attitude who submits to Elijah and pleads for his and his men’s life (2 Kings 2:13-14). Ahaziah could also have repented and sought God but he would not. The choice is simple: submission to God and His Word leads to life, resistance and rebellion to death. Thus, the captain and his men survive, and the king dies (2 Kings 1:15, 17).
Choose life
The lesson presented to us is so simple yet why do we find it so hard to obey it? Patterns we see in the family, like Ahaziah did, can become deeply ingrained in our practices. Our sinful nature may also convince us that something other than God is a better solution to our difficulties and worries. Yet God invites us again and again to submit to Him. Despite the seeming finality of Elijah’s words, we must remember that prophecy is meant to bring about change, so submission and repentance would have still been a possibility for the king. Even when we are on the wrong path, we can change course and seek God, we do not have to continue in it to the bitter end. We may look back on past experiences and feel disappointed that God has abandoned or failed us, just like the exiles would have felt seeing as they were not saved from captivity. Yet, the repeated message of Kings is that God’s power or love for His people is not lacking. He warns, He seeks out and to those who put their trust in Him, He proves to be powerful and life-giving. May we choose to look to Him in our life’s decisions.
[1] While Baal was worshipped widely in Canaan and in the surrounding territories, Baal here is a local manifestation of the god, associated with the shrine at Ekron. The word Baal-zebub means ‘lord/master of flies’. This was thought to be a corruption from the name Baal-zebul meaning ‘lord prince’. Perhaps Baal at Ekron was associated with healing, hence the reason for inquiring specifically of him.
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