Bible Studies
How Far From the Lord (1 Kings 22:51-53)
Series: Studies in Second KingsIntroduction:
1. In recent studies in 1 Kings we have focused attention on three main characters: Ahab the king of Israel, Jezebel his Sidonian wife and Elijah the man of God. 2. In our study this morning we will add Ahaziah to our list of characters. Ahaziah is the son of Ahab and Jezebel. The events of his life form the transition between First and Second Kings. 3. A summary of his reign is given in 1 Kings 22:51-53 (reading).a. There is nothing surprising in the summary.
b. His reign is brief, typical of kings who are evil (cf. Nadab, 15:25; Elah, 16:8).
c. We expect Ahaziah to be an idolater. He is!
d. We expect a description of his downfall and the first chapter of 2 Kings records it.
Discussion:
I. Ahaziah sent to inquire of Baal-zebub (2 Kings 1:1-2).A. Ekron was one of the major Philistines cities. It was located about 25 miles west of Jerusalem.
B. Baal-zebub (cf. Beelzebul, prince of demons, associated with Satan in Matt. 12:24, 27; Mk. 3:22; Lk. 11:15, 18-19).
C. Baal-zebub literally means “lord of flies. Jewish literature interprets this as a way of calling Baal a pile of dung and comparing Baal followers to flies. Others offer other alternatives, but it is unclear exactly what “lord of flies” means.
D. God’s message to Ahaziah is clear (1:4).
1. After having identified that it was Elijah that had spoken to his messengers Ahaziah sought an audience with Elijah.
2. He sent a captain and 50 men to retrieve Elijah. Elijah called down fire from heaven and consumed them (cf. the event at Mt. Carmel). Such events give us insight into the disciples request to call down fire from heaven upon the Samaritans (Lk. 9:54).
3. A second group was also consumed.
4. A third group was sent and evidently because of the respect shown, God sent Elijah to go to Ahaziah.
5. The message was unchanged (1:16).
6. The message of God was confirmed by the death of Ahaziah (17).
E. Considerations.
1. When you find yourself in a difficult situation do you seek out the Lord?
a. Some do even though they have had little or no relationship with Him before. Sometimes they bargain with the Lord—“If you will do this for me, then I will do this for you. Compare the increase in church attendance after 9/11. Sharon Tubbs reported on Sept. 9, 2002 in the St. Petersburg Times that according to Barna research church attendance increased 25% after 9/11, but then diminished to regular levels a few weeks later.
b. When you have a relationship with God and His people it provides strength and encouragement in time of need. Cf. times of grief. It is unfair to simply use the Lord or His people to gain something you want, even demand it.
2. When you hear the word of the Lord do you then want “to negotiate” with Him?
3. Do you walk in the way of your father and mother even though that way is NOT consistent with the Lord’s way? “I would be condemning my parents if I obeyed the Lord.” Who are you condemning if you walk in the way of your mother and father and not in the Lord’s way? Is this not a condemnation of the Lord’s way?
a. We need to critically evaluate the cultural influences that we have experienced.
b. Our minds need the renewal of God (Rom. 12:2).
c. Our allegiance must first be to the Lord. It is only then that we will be loyal to our family by teaching them to be loyal to the Lord.
II. We expect Ahaziah’s death to be the end of the dynasty of Ahab. Ahaziah has no son and the prophecy of 1 Kings 21:29 says that Ahab’s dynasty will end with his son. But we are now introduced to Ahaziah’s brother Jehoram who comes to reign over Israel (2 Kings 1:17).A. A summary of his reign is given in 3:1-3.
1. He is an idolater.
2. But not so bad as his father, mother and brother.
3. He clung to the sins of Jeroboam. You may recall that Jeroboam had associated the idols in Dan and Bethel as “the gods that had brought Israel up from the land of Egypt” (1 Kings 12:28).
B. There is a king in Judah, the son of Jehoshaphat, who carries this same name (Jehoram).
1. It is interesting to observe that at the time when the king of Israel has the same name as the king of Judah that Judah is becoming more and more like Israel as they distance themselves from the Lord.
2. We will address more about Jehoram of Israel later.
C. There is another point worth observing here.
1. There is recognition that some are more distant from God than others.
2. Jehoram was “not like” Ahab and Jezebel, but he still clung to the sins of Jeroboam.
3. While all sin separates from God some people are further away from the Lord than others. There is no consolation in being close, nor is there any comfort to be taken in others being further away. Both are separated from God. Nor should we think “since I am separated I might as well go further away.”
4. We need to be careful not to embrace those that are “closer” as if they were not sinners. May do thisto let ourselves off the hook of trying to persuade them.
5. But it is unfair not to recognize that some are closer than others.
Conclusion:
1. Where do you stand in your relationship to God? 2. Are you far away as was Ahaziah, Ahab and Jezebel? 3. Are you more like Jehoram—a little closer? 4. Or are you fully and completely committed to the Lord? 5. I once read about some that were described as “only wanting $2 worth of God in a brown paper bag,” not enough to make them love a migrant worker, not enough to make any real changes, not enough to lead to self-sacrifice, nor to create any inconvenience—“just $2 worth of God in a brown paper bag.” 6. Those who want a little God may be closer than those who want none, but loyalty to the Lord demands full commitment. Either you are “all in” or you are “all out.” 7. Almost is lost!
