“Elisha put his hands upon the king’s hands.” 2 Kings 13:16
Dear Ones:
There are times in life when circumstances change for what we think is “the worse”. And yet, in the economy of God, even as He always leaves a remnant of believers in godless circumstances, He will continue His work in a new and different way, but one that ALWAYS requires faith. An example of this was when Isaiah wrote, concerning his vision of God, that it was “…in the year that king Uzziah died.” (Is. 6:1) King Uzziah had a long reign over Judah. His accomplishments had brought much prosperity and well-being to the people, as well as victory over their enemies. However, there were dark clouds on the horizon, as the Assyrian empire was beginning again to assert itself. With Uzziah’s death would come the stark reality of invasion, and this primarily because of a hardening of the heart of Judah towards God. It will be when circumstances will change radically, and there would be the signal of coming judgment, that Isaiah would have his vision of God, as is seen in Isaiah 6. That vision will change everything in his life, in the hearts of believers of his time, and in believers throughout the millennia unto this present day. The vision would be the prelude to Isaiah’s great declaration: “For unto us a child is born; unto us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder.” (9:6)
In another historical account of a radical change of circumstances being the catalyst to “potentially” reveal the glory of God in the affairs of men, we find Elisha the prophet close to death, a sickness slowly claiming his life. It is King Joash who comes to him, confessing his heartbreak, in great distress, and yet, apparently seeking Elisha’s blessing. We see this by his declaration: “O my father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof.” It is interesting to note that these were the same words that Elisha declared when Elijah was taken up to heaven in a chariot of fire. Why the mention of the same thing here? This chariot of fire, and thus, the “chariot of Israel,” was a declaration of faith in the God of Elijah, and Elisha, even in the face of the coming death of Elisha. With his life waning, and the faith of the king wavering, the old prophet tells hims to “take bow and arrows.” (2 Kings 13:15) Then he tells him to put his hand on the bow. It was when he did this that the prophet put his hands upon the king’s hands. There is in this act by the prophet a declaration. It is that the God of the “chariot of fire,” through His prophet, is committing to the king, a power and authority by which God will intervene in answer to faith. In this case, God will give victory over the enemies of Joash, the Syrians. Elisha then tells the king to open his window eastward, and shoot the arrow. The king did so obediently. It is at this moment that the man of God makes a declaration: “The arrow of the Lord’s deliverance from Syria: for thou shalt smite the Syrians in Aphek, till thou have consumed them.” (v.17) God is providing King Joash a promise by which he can believe God for fullness of victory. The prophet then tells the king to strike the ground, the king realizing clearly what this means…faith in the God of the promise, for complete victory. However, though the king had faith, yet he “drew back,” and hesitated to believe God fully, for all that was the declared will of God. The response of Elisha was anger, as he knew the king had missed his opportunity to glorify God by believing Him fully. God provides steps, or stepping stones, for our faith. Ours is to trust Him for grace to walk thereon.
Dear Father, You have provided us “steps to faith,” whether by vision, identification, or the declaration of Thy word. Give us grace to understand clearly Thy will, and to trust Thee FULLY for the realization of Thy victory. Then Thou shalt be glorified. We thank and praise Thee in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad