Searching for Answers

Introduction

Along with love and respect, trust is foundational to relationships. Trust is one of those things that we know but it is difficult to define. Trust is to voluntarily believe in the reliability of something or someone. This definition of trust includes two parts. Reliability carries the idea that something or someone has demonstrated consistency. In other words, trust is placed in something or someone that has demonstrated that one is worthy of trust. We trust people who prove themselves trustworthy. This makes sense. But the other aspect of trust is not always understood to exist. It is the element of voluntarily choosing to trust. Anyone here fly on an airplane. How many of you before you boarded the plane asked to see the pilot’s credentials? How many of you before you boarded asked to see the last mechanical inspection report? How many of you before you boarded the plane asked to see the credentials of the credentialing company? None of us. Why? Because we voluntarily chose to trust the reliability of people that we have never met, seen, or talked to.

This second element of trust is true for all relationships. We are all exposed to a limited portion of a person’s life. But when multiple people are exposed to different aspects of a person’s life and they all agree that the person is reliable, we feel a bit better about our choice to trust. In most cases we trust what we can see. But there are times that we trust what we cannot see—like the airplane mechanic, pilots, and regulating boards. And we come today to express our trust in one that we have not seen. But our trust is not without foundation. Thousands saw Jesus and wrote about him. Thousands experienced his miracles directly and indirectly and praised him. Hundreds saw him after his resurrection and died for their trust. And we choose today to trust one we haven’t seen. Let’s praise him for who he is.

The Story

Ahaziah is Ahab’s son. He has an accident at the royal palace and is injured. The Bible doesn’t tell us what the extent of his injuries. Ahaziah thinks he is going to die and he wants to find out what his future is. So he sends a delegation to Ekron to inquire of the god Baal-Zebub. This is very similar to the language of Matthew, Mark, and Luke who use the name Beelzubub to describe the prince of Satan. Good possibility this is the same thing. Ekron is in Philistine territory. This will not be a short journey for Ahaziah’s delegation.

An angel tells Elijah what is going on and instructs him to intercept this group with a message from God. Notice that Ahaziah’s men did not know Elijah. But notice too that they obey him. That should tell us something about the authority of Elijah. Elijah sends the message to the king that he will not recover from his injuries. Because he sought help from another god, God will make sure he does not recover. Notice Ahaziah’s reaction. He questions his men to identify this man they met on the way to Ekron. Their description tells Ahaziah that it was Elijah.

Ahaziah’s reaction is not what one might expect having been told that he is going to die. He sends a second delegation consisting of a captain with fifty soldiers to retrieve Elijah. While the scriptures do not say explicitly what their purpose is, we can rightly assume that Ahaziah is interested in confronting Elijah in some way. Remember his mother was Jezebel. This small army finds Elijah and orders him to return with them to the king. The captain uses the phrase “man of God.” It would be a designation of prophet. Elijah takes that designation and basically says that as God’s man, a sign is needed. Fire comes down from heaven and burns up all 51 men. Ahaziah doesn’t get the point and sends another small army of a captain and his 50 men. The same thing happens.

A third group is sent. But the third captain is much wiser. He throws himself on the ground in front of Elijah and begs for mercy. He is only here to do a job. He begs that Elijah will have an appreciation for his life and the lives of his men. God’s angel tells Elijah to go with this captain to report to Ahaziah. Standing beside Ahaziah’s bed, Elijah pronounces God’s sentence on him. And Ahaziah indeed dies.

Lessons

Ahaziah trusted in a lesser god. Baalzebub was a god believed to control health. So Ahaziah sends his delegation to this god to determine about his future health. But he ignored the One who created health and strength. We shake our heads and cluck our tongues at such a choice. He looked for life’s answers in something that could not provide what he needed. What about us? Do we choose lesser gods? Do we look for life’s lessons in lesser things?

Who do we turn to when things are not going well? Notice verses 3, 6, and 16. What is the question? “Is it because there is no God that you consult other gods? What do we consult? Is God the last one that we consult? Do we read horoscopes? Science? Listen to self-motivating tapes that promise that our strength is within us. Find our purpose and direction in what others think. Are we more apt to trust what we can see and control? Do we trust in the amount of money in a bank account? Do we worry if our retirement account is sufficient? We walk onto a plane without questioning the credentials of pilots, mechanics, or certifying boards and yet we look at God and demand that he prove himself. And let one thing happen that violates our expectations and we are quick to say that God has failed us. Be careful that your expectations are not your god and that you hold the true God captive to your views.

Second, God is supreme. Ahaziah does not consult God at all; yet, God knows what he is doing and thinking. He sends Elijah to stop the delegation from going to Ekron. He sends fire twice to demonstrate that his prophet is not a pushover. He declares the future for Ahaziah and it is carried out. We must be impressed with the supremacy of God who knows our hearts, our thoughts, our desires, and our future. God knows everything about us. For some such intimate knowledge makes us fearful. And if that is the case, then repentance may be needed or a reminder that God longs to inspire confidence in his children not fear. Because God knows our hearts should bring us comfort. He knows what the real desires of our heart are and if they are to honor him then he can certainly deal with both the good and evil we do in our lives.

Elijah is not a central figure in this story. Look at the end of verse 4. “So Elijah went.” I like that statement not because of some great insight but because it reflects the heart of a servant. God said go and Elijah went. Remember back during the days of Ahab, Elijah went the opposite direction. Now he goes where God sends him. No questions. No hesitation. Seemingly no fear. He goes to give God’s message.

We are God’s servants. His calls gives us a sense of mission and purpose. Without hesitation and question we long to do whatever we can for him. Where do you search for answers to life? Do you see yourself as God’s servant? He knows all there is to know about you. He is the only God who can ultimately give you what you want. Will you place your trust in him?

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