Monday, June 7, II Kings 7
Vv. 1-2 — When the officer of the king questioned Elisha’s statement in verse one, he actually was doubting God. Doubt is unbelief. The seriousness of the sin can be seen in the punishment inflicted on him (vv. 17-20). It was a warning to Israel and to us not to trifle with God’s Word. To reject it means God’s wrath, anger, and eternal punishment. However, not to doubt, but to accept Jesus Christ as our Savior means eternal salvation. “This is life eternal, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent.” (John 17:3)
Tuesday, June 8, II Kings 8
Vv. 18-27 — Notice what the respective marriages of these 2 leaders helped to cause. Sometimes Christians who marry non-Christians remain strong in faith; other times, they fall from faith. Consider the danger. Heed the warning!
Wednesday, June 9, II Kings 9
Vv. 6-7, 22-24 — In our day, government is to take revenge for us against the evil-doer. (Rom. 13:4) In Israel’s day, Jehu carried out that responsibility as God’s representative.
Vv. 10, 30-37 — In Psalm 73:3, the Psalmist wrote, “For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.” While we may have those feelings, too, at times, verses 10 and 30-37 show us that the wicked are not overlooked by God. Their fate after death in hell is thousands of times worse than God’s punishment of Jezebel. While we may have little in this life, eternal life in heaven through Christ’s perfect atonement brings us unsurpassing joy, peace, love, perfect health and happiness that never ends.
Thursday, June 10, II Kings 10
- 28-31 — Spiritual reform, unlike Jehu did it, must go all the way. To leave it half done is like stopping the treatment of cancer when its half licked. You certainly know the end result. It’s even worse in our spiritual life as the next chapters will prove. While God commended Jehu for getting rid of the sin-cancer of Baal worship in Israel, he, like Jeroboam, tried to serve two masters–God and the gold calves at Bethel and Dan. Cf. I Kings 12:28. In this materialistic world, this is a warning we all need to heed. God forbids us to share our worship with other gods. We are to worship him and Him alone. Read Is. 42:8 and Matt. 4:10.
Friday, June 11, II Kings 11
Vv. 1-2 — Athaliah’s attempt to destroy all the royal heirs in Judah, had it been successful, would have put an end to the line of David. This God prevented because He had promised to send the Savior into the world from a descendant of David. (Jer. 23:5,6)
- 17-18 — In the land of Judah, some faithful kings and priests kept spiritual life there in better order than in Northern Israel. Jehoiada was one of those shepherds. He administered God’s Word faithfully and influenced Joash to remain true to the Lord. Do you pray daily for your pastors and teachers that they would always obey God’s Word and remain faithful to Jesus, our Good Shepherd?
Saturday, June 12, II Kings 12
- 20 — Why did Joash, who did what was right in the eyes of the Lord (v. 2) end up murdered? The influence of people in our lives is important. Under Jehoiada’s guidance, Joash was faithful to the Lord. When Jehoiada died, Joash permitted himself to be influenced by wicked men (II Chron. 24:17-25). His life went from good to evil. To avoid that, we need to seek out quality Christian companionship and stay faithful to God’s Word.