Filed under: 1 kings, 2 kings, ahaziah, baal, baal-zebub, elijah, elisha, god, jehoram, jehoshaphat
[Stuff we're skipping:
* We get a closer look at Jehoshaphat, king of Judah for 25 years. He is known for being a good guy, ending male shrine prostitution. He wasn't perfect, though, because people still made offerings at high places. After he dies, his son Jehoram takes the throne.
* We also learn that Ahaziah stunk as king of Israel for his two years. Still was as a punk who worshipped Baal. This provoked God to anger.
Entering 2 Kings...
* King Ahaziah took a fall and got sick. He wanted to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron (anyone else thinking of Bohemian rhapsody), to find out if he would live or not. Elijah intercepts these guys on the way and tells them that he's going to die. It's not like there isn't a God in Israel! The guys went back to Ahaziah, and he realized that it was Elijah who had told them this. Ahaziah sent 51 soldiers to "get" Elijah. When they came, he said, "If I'm a man of God, let fire come down from heaven to consume you and your fifty." Fire came down from heaven and consumed him and his fifty. This happened again. The third leader wised up and begged Elijah not to killing (after all, he was just doing his job!). So, Elijah went to Ahaziah and told him he was going to die. Another guy named Jehoram (popular name?) became king of Israel in his place because Ahaziah had no son.]
1. I love how casually the Bible mentions that Elijah is going to be taken into heaven by a whirlwind. Oh…that’s normal.
2. Elijah…Elisha…confusing I know. Eli Manning is an EliSHa, for anyone who cares.
3. Crazy how Elijah being taken up by God is common knowledge. Elisha knows and so do the sons of the prophets in Bethel. Elisha’s response: “Shhhh.”
4. Same thing happens when they go to Jericho.
5. Elijah causally parts the Jordan River with his cloak so the two can pass through. Dude…that’s three miraculous water partings.
6. Elisha wants a double portion of Elijah’s spirit. Nice request. Um…any takers on what that really means?
7. Amazing image. Horses and chariots of fire swooping down to take Elijah to heaven. The guy doesn’t die. He’s just warped up to heaven. Anyone seen “Ghost Rider”? Yeah, I bet it was like that!
8. And, of course, Elisha is super-stoked because he saw the whole thing–meaning that he would indeed have a double-portion of his master’s spirit. Now, if only Eli Manning could get a double-portion of Peyton Manning’s abilities.
9. How cool is it that Elisha tears up his old cloak. I guess he’s going to need a new one. But that’s for tomorrow.
I want to go out like that. Just a small request. How cool would it be to get swept into heaven by a chariot of fire with lit up horses!?!
