Power

Introduction

A. There are different kind of looks. There are looks like Helen of Troy’s which launched a thousand ships. Spouses have a way of expressing displeasure with one another. I’ve seen looks from men and women that were not difficult to read. I have crumpled under the stare of someone. I’m sure you have as well. My dad had a stare which could kill. It was one of those looks that could make you not only stop what you were doing but wish that you were in a different state. A friend used to say “don’t look at me in that tone of voice.” All kinds of looks.

B. Ever been caught doing something you shouldn’t have been doing? In that case, although you can’t see, you will have a look on your face which screams “I am guilty.” We used to play a game when I was in elementary school. We called it “stare.” It was a game which we could play when the teacher told us not to talk. The game was literally staring at someone to see who would blink first. More than just a regular blink, one of those that comes when you stare at something a long time and your eyes involuntarily blink to remoisturize your eyes. It was a harmless game, but it could be rather intense. For just a few moments I want us to go through this short text in 2 Kings 8. There isn’t a lot of profound lessons to be learned, but there is a reminder in this text which we need to hear. Let’s sing.

Story

A. Elisha is in Damascus, the capital city of Aram. Ben-Hadad is ill. Ben-Hadad sends his trusted servant Hazael to inquire of Elisha if his disease is fatal. Hazael meets Elisha and asks. Elisha says to go back and tell Ben-Hadad he will recover. But Elisha continues that he knows Hazael is going to be the next king of Aram. Elisha stared at Hazael until Hazael looked away. Elisha then begins to cry. This seems odd to Hazael and he asks why Elisha is crying. Elisha responds that God has allowed him to see how terrible Hazael is going to be to Israel. Hazael reports to Ben-Hadad that Elisha said he would recover, but the next day Hazael murders Ben-Hadad and then he becomes king.

B. Some read this text and accuse Elisha of lying to Hazael. What we need to understand is the dynamics of the text. Elisha knows the truth. Hazael is going to be the next king. He knows too that Hazael is going to become king in a deceptive way; thus, the stare which brings shame to Hazael. What Elisha says in verse 10 is basically “you go tell Ben-Hadad that he will live, but I know that you have every intention of becoming the next king one way or another.” That seems to make sense of the text as explains the reason for the stare from Elisha.

Lessons

A. Short story. Two brief points. First, spiritual people can have profound influence in their corner of the world. It is amazing that Ben-Hadad would ask Elisha about his illness. But Ben-Hadad knows that Elisha is God’s man. Ever been in the situation where one who is not a Christian asks you to pray for them and their situation? Don’t underestimate the influence for good that you have with someone. ILL. “Influence.” Christians are held to a higher standard than most. While there are times that is unfair, and certainly times when it is misunderstood, the truth is we should relish the high standard others expect. If we are proud of the name Christian, then we should not fear being held to a standard which many refuse to accept. But such a lifestyle will give us opportunities to demonstrate the love of God in very real ways.

B. Second, God knows the truth. Hazael stands before Elisha for Ben-Hadad’s benefit. Hazael already is scheming. He will be the next king. He doesn’t tell Elisha that. But Elisha knows the truth because God reveals it to him. Elisha’s stare makes Hazael shrink under the glare of truth. We can lie to ourselves; we can lie to others, but we cannot lie to God. We may even convince ourselves that God doesn’t see or will not mind our immoral decision, but the truth is God knows and sees what is going on. ILL. “Truth.”

1.  We should tell the truth. Some will say that just a little white lie does no damage. ILL. "Truth: lying to get to the top."

2.  We may think we are may escape from being caught. Indeed most of us have probably gotten away with lying at some point or another. But God knows the truth. ILL. "Truth: telling."

3.  This story in 2 Kings reveals God's desire to bless other nations through Elisha. It also reveals that no one can hide the truth from God. May we accept our role as those who can influence this world for good and live in the reality of truthfulness among our peers. Let's pray.

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