Daily Thought for: 18th June

ELISHA: FAILURE AT THREE

2 Kings 13. 10-19

These are Elisha’s last moments. They take place before an open window, v. 17. The open window suggests the soul’s expectation from God, Dan. 6. 10, whilst a shut door, 2 . 4. 4, suggests the soul’s seclusion with God. The placing of Elisha’s hands upon those of the king suggests the imparting of power, v. 16. It is to be noted that the power is given before the duties are commanded, v. 17. So, the Lord Jesus gives before He commands and empowers when He sends; cf. John. 20. 21, 22; Acts 1. 8. It is in obeying His commands that we realize, and are conscious of His power; cf. Mark 3. 5. The problem in that incident was the man’s inability to stretch forth his hand, yet in obeying the Lord’s command, ‘Stretch forth thine hand’, he did just that, and his arm was restored whole. During Elisha’s ministry as prophet the great enemy of Israel was Syria. His last moments were concerned with the defeat of that enemy and consequent deliverance. He was seeking to leave this scene impressing on the king and his people the great lesson that the hand of the Lord alone can give deliverance from any enemy, but here, particularly, the Syrian. Victory would be possible, but the power would not be the king’s—deliverance would come by God’s hand. The prophet was expressing this as he laid his hand on the king’s hand. Success was not to come from human strength, but from the presence and power of the Lord. God’s power is perfect, and so complete victory is possible; but there is another side, and that is our appreciation of that power. Our unbelief can hinder the work of Christ in this world; cf. Mark. 6. 5, 6. Jehoash obeyed Elisha, but only half-heartedly, and probably with no conviction as to the outcome of what he was doing. Elisha was angry. He noted the lack of wholeheartedness in Jehoash’s actions. God had been willing to give Israel complete victory over Syria, v. 17, but Jehoash’s response had checked the outflow of mercy so that the original promise could not be fulfilled. God gave the king as much as he had faith to appreciate, but no more. If we strike but three, we will conquer but thrice. The king did not believe, did not expect to conquer completely, and so it proved. Limited aspirations block God’s power.