God Wants Us to Come to Him — 2 Kings 1:3-4, 8, 16-17
He is a jealous God.
King Ahaziah falls and hurts himself badly. He sends messengers to inquire of the “god” of Ekron to know if he will recover or if he will die.
God sends Elijah to meet those messengers.
2 Kings 1:3-4 (NIV84) “But the angel of the Lord said to Elijah the Tishbite, “Go up and meet the messengers of the king of Samaria and ask them, ‘Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going off to consult Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron?’ 4 Therefore this is what the Lord says: ‘You will not leave the bed you are lying on. You will certainly die!’ ” So Elijah went.”
The messengers come back, and Ahaziah asks why they returned so soon.
When he heard about what the prophet said to them, he asked, “What did this prophet look like?
2 Kings 1:8 (NIV84) “They replied, “He was a man with a garment of hair and with a leather belt around his waist.”
The king said, “That was Elijah the Tishbite.””
Ahaziah sends 50 men to go get Elijah. The commander asks Elijah, ‘Are you the prophet? Come with us.’
Elijah says, “If I am, the prophet fire will come down from heaven and consume you.” And it does.
Another 50 men are sent, and it happens again. The third is sent, and the commander pleads with Elijah and asks to spare his men, but please come see the king.
The Angel of the Lord tells Elijah to go with them.
Elijah goes to Ahaziah.
2 Kings 1:16-17 (NIV84) “He told the king, “This is what the Lord says: Is it because there is no God in Israel for you to consult that you have sent messengers to consult Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron? Because you have done this, you will never leave the bed you are lying on. You will certainly die!”
“So he died, according to the word of the Lord that Elijah had spoken.”
How many opportunities did Ahaziah have to repent and seek God?
1. When he got hurt.
2. When the messengers came back.
3. When he realized it was Elijah.
4. When the first 50 men were killed.
5. When the 2nd group of men had been killed.
6. When Elijah was in his presence.
We have seen 2 Chronicles 7:14 lived out in the lives of the kings. But Ahaziah did not repent and humble himself before God or seek Him.
God desires that we seek Him and no other. He is paying attention, and He gives us many opportunities.
This text shows us how He can be a jealous God.
Father, thank you that we can come to you. May we seek you first and look to you.
