Searching for Answers

Introduction

A. Have you ever put anything in front of God? Each generation finds something else to revere and idolize. Cars, sports, Internet, pornography, sex, money, relationships, family, work, leisure, power, on and on we could list possible other gods. In this country we may not think about idols much. Idols conjure images of stone and wood objects to which others bow down and offer prayers. Idols abound in a place like Japan. Every house is constructed with an idol alcove. Temples for other gods are all around. It’s a little harder to see them in our country, because our idols are a bit more sophisticated. But in a place like Japan, no one thinks of the various temples as places of idol worship. Instead they are seen as places of true worship. But isn’t that exactly what an idol does. We get accustomed to it that we wouldn’t even think about something being above God.

B. The worst part of idol worship is not seeing it, but placing it next to God and deceiving ourselves about our relationship to either the object or to God. Think of what you would hate to live without and then bravely ask yourself if you could live without it. The story in 2 Kings 1 is the last one with Elijah. It is the story of Ahab’s son, Ahaziah, trying like his daddy to be king without God’s help. The point of the story is really very simple. God will not be mocked. He will not tolerate one who is supposed to know Him to act as if any god will do. God is a jealous God. He wants us to be in relationship only with Him. Ahaziah had to learn that lesson. So do we.

The Story

A. Ahaziah is Ahab’s son. He has an accident at the royal palace and is hurt enough to wonder about his future. The Bible doesn’t tell us what the extent of his injuries are, but we can be assured that the medical knowledge of that century was limited. 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.

B. 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. (Just a side note. The description of Elijah in 1:8 is almost identical to Mark’s description of John the Baptist in Mark 1:6. John was the second Elijah leading the path for Jesus.)

C. 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.

D. 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

A. What is the purpose of this story? Why did the author include it? Elijah seems to play a fairly insignificant role in this story. The point is that God is a jealous God and will not be discarded for some other god. The king of Israel should have done better. He knew better. But he didn’t act according to his knowledge. So what are the lessons?

B. First, 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 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. Everything about us, God knows. For some such intimate knowledge makes us fearful. But instead it 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. Just look at David. That is not to presume upon God’s supremacy but neither is it designed to make us quake in fear.

C. Second, there is only one place to find answers—God. It is like the scientist who goes to God and says there is no reason for you to hang around any longer. We now possess the key to the universe. We know how to create humans. We can clone anything. God says “Let’s have a contest. I’ll create a man from dirt and you create one as well.” The scientist agrees. God scoops up a handful of dirt. The scientist stoops down to do the same thing and God says, “no, no, no. You get your own dirt.” When we think we have all the answers we are reminded that God is the only source for truth. Some go after all sorts of things to find the answers to life and the future. Astrology, horoscopes, self-motivation tapes, karma, wealth, power, and prestige. All poor excuses for what is real. Poor substitutes for the One who knows us and knows our future. ILL. “God: Searching in the right place for God.” We would do better to go to the One who can help us discover truth about ourselves and our world.

D. Third, we are servants. 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. ILL. “Service.” 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.

E. 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? Invitation.

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