A Nobody

O. T. #841  "A Nobody"
Sept. 30, 2016
2 Kings 8-Part 2


LET IT GLOW


Are there days when we feel like a nobody, unworthy and unfit to be used by God to accomplish His work? However, as a child of the King, no matter how insignificant we may feel, god can use us to great things for His kingdom. Do you and I have the faith and will we obey so He can do great things through us?

In today's passage, we read of the Prophet Elisha going to Damascus, the capital of Syria, which is an enemy of Israel. Back in 1Kings 19:15-17, The Lord instructed Elijah to anoint three men for the purpose of commissioning them to destroy Baal worship in Israel-Hazael of Syria, Jehu, and Elisha. However, Elijah only commissioned Elisha, while Elisha commissioned Hazael, and he sent a man to commission Jehu. As a result, Baalism was officially barred from Israel. (This happens in chapters 8 and 9.)

With that background, shall we continue? The king of Syria, Ben-hadad, lay sick. When he heard of Elisha being in Damascus, the king sent for Elisha, as well as sent him a gift of 40 camels and fine products, and a question, Will I recover from this illness?

Elisha's response to Hazael, the king's messenger was: Ben-hadad would be restored to health, but he would die by another means.

Do we find our self in a similar situation where we recover from one sickness and another comes, or we get through one trial and another zings at us around the corner?


LET IT GROW

Then the man of God, Elisha, stared at Hazael. and wept. Hazael asked him what was wrong. Here is his reply:

• Elisha knew about the terrible things Hazael would do to the people of Israel when he became king of Syria.
• He will burn Israel's fortified cities, kill their young me with the sword, dash their little children to the ground, and rip open their pregnant women. 

Elisha supernaturally discerned the murder plot that was in Hazael's heart. (David Jeremiah)

God had revealed it to Elisha and Elisha, in turn, revealed it to Hazael.

How could a nobody (dog) like me ever accomplish such great things? asked Hazael.

Hazael was not of royal bloodline and considered a son of nobody.

Of course, the answer was that Hazael would become Syria's next king. So when Hazael returned to King Ben-hadad, he informed the king of his recovery according to Elisha. However, the next day Hazael took a blanket, soaked it in water, and held it over the king's face until he died. Then Hazael became the next king of Syria.
Hazael did prove to be a constant foe of Israel, seen in chapters 9, 10, 12-13.

It is when we surrender to God that He works in us to do great things for His kingdom. Although, He can use unbelievers to accomplish His will, too.

In Matthew 15, we read of a Gentile woman coming to Jesus and asking Him to deliver her daughter from a demon. Jesus told her that first He should feed the children, the Jews, and it wasn't right to take food from the children and throw it to the dogs. She told Jesus that even the dogs were allowed to eat the scraps under the table from the children's plates.
Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith; be it unto thee even as thou wilt. Her daughter was healed that very hour.

LET IT GO