Who Do We Call For Help?

O. T. #851  "Who Do We Call For Help?"
Oct. 17, 2016
2 Kings 13


LET IT GLOW


In this chapter we  read of two kings ruling in Israel and Elisha's death. When we jump back to Israel, what do we find?

• Jehoahaz was Jehu's son who reigned as king of Israel for 17 years. Unfortunately, his religious policies supported Jeroboam's calf-cult like his father. This was evil in the Lord's sight, idolatry.
• The Lord subjected Israel to invasions and harassment by 2 Syrian kings, Hazael and his son Ben-hadad, because of Israel's sin. The Lord was angry.
• Look at verses 4-5: Then Jehoahaz prayed for the LORD's help, and the LORD heard his prayer, for he could see how severely the king of Aram (Syria) was oppressing Israel.

David said in Psalm 18:3, I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.

In verses 6, he said, In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: He heard my voice out of His Temple, and my cry came before Him, even unto His ears.

Psalm 33:20 say, Our soul waiteth for the LORD, He is our help and our shield.

David was delivered from his enemy Saul. God worked it all out for him and Jehoahaz. He can work it all out for us. Are we learning to call on God for help?



LET IT GROW

So the Lord provided someone to rescue the Israelites from the tyranny of the Arameans (Syrians).
Then Israel lived in safety again as they had informer days. (NLT)

Because Jehoahaz sought the Lord in his oppression, an unidentified savior was sent. King James uses the word savior instead of someone
In the Hebrew language, the word savior means deliver, save, get victory, defend.

Some say it could have been an Assyrian king who diverted Syria's attention from Israel; or a military force who won a victory against Syria; or Jehoahaz's son, Joash, who was successful against the Syrans; or Jeroboam II. (Falwell)

Some historians say the deliverer was a new king of Assyria, Adad Nirari III, who attacked the west in 805 BC and diverted the Aramean power from Israel. Holman Illustrated Bible Commentary)

Although Israel had periodic breaks in their idol worship, they rarely showed genuine faith. It is not enough to say no to sin; we must also say yes to a life committed to God. An occasional call for help is not a substitute for a daily life of trust in God. (Life Application Study Bible)

I suppose it was not intended for us to know for sure who the deliverer was. It could have been Jesus Himself, although He was probably directing the situation. His merciful hand was working back then and is still now. Do we call upon Him for mercy?

LET IT GO

Call upon Jesus for help.

Ask for His mercy.