• 8th century prophet during period of peace/prosperity
• audience is Israel: eighth nation addressed
• prophetic formula, sovereignty and longsuffering

• the bullied become bullies
• context of covenant relationship
• greed, pride, immorality and hypocrisy
• result: name of the LORD profaned

• contrast between infidelity and fidelity
• examples of the LORD’S kindness
• no plea of ignorance
• sabotage and superficiality

• dismantling of power
• reminder of default setting
• purging of posers
• the LORD’S obligation and the connection to Christ (Rom. 5:6-11, 1 John 5:3)

• Because of God’s unfailing kindness to you, use your privilege as a platform to promote His greatness.
• Grasp the perils of prosperity and privilege.
• Praise the LORD for His long-fused grace and mercy.
• “…Glory to His name…” (Hoffman)

• Elisha’s illness and impending death
• a noteworthy absence
• a king’s perspective of protection (2:12)

• symbolic action: bow and arrows
• hands-on encouragement: the arrow of victory
• righteous rebuke for a half-hearted response

• not magic but magnification
• receiving grace at the grave
• victory and vitality
• pointing to Jesus (Rom. 1:1-4)

• In light of God’s enduring word, aim for an exit that prioritizes His power and promises.
• Minister in the power, maximize the promises and magnify the hope of the word of God. (Isa. 40:8, Heb. 4:12)
• “When this poor, lisping, stamm’ring tongue lies silent in the grave, then in a nobler, sweeter song, I’ll sing Thy pow’r to save…” (W. Cowper)

• taking aim at idolatry
• outlined policy and ordained instruments
• tuck and take
• anoint: sovereign seal of approval
• objective of extermination

• ripe for revolution: carpet of garments
• Jehu the reckless driver
• confrontation with Joram: harlotries and sorceries
• confrontation with Jezebel: made up and thrown down

• zeal behind the wheel
• a rebuke of apathy
• commended but careless
• exercising suspicion and aiming for intoxication

• Because God is jealous for you, you should be zealous for Him.
• connection to Christ: Psa. 69:9, Jn. 2:17 and Rom. 12:11
• “Self may its poor reward obtain and be applauded here; but zeal the best applause will gain when Jesus shall appear.” (“Zeal Is That Pure and Heavenly Flame,” John Newton)

• connection to 4:8-37: a prophet’s chamber, a promised son and a restoration of life
• the concept of providence

• from national to personal
• Elisha’s famine-warning system
• a remembered kindness: house remodel for a holy man (Matt. 10:40-42)

• a crying out to the king: house and field
• an ear-full from Gehazi
• repetition of “restore”
• the LORD’S gracious timing

• a massive testimony
• illustration of Proverbs 21:1 and Matthew 6:28-34
• the word heeded: nothing lost and everything gained
• connection to Christ: a greater restoration

• In light of the LORD’S sustaining and restorative providence, take His word seriously and trust Him entirely.
• Determine to move from fascination to faithfulness.
• Remember the two “poles” of the LORD’S providence.
• “This is my anthem; this is my song, the theme of the stories I’ve heard for so long. God has been faithful; He will be again. His loving compassion; it knows no end. All I have need of, His hand will provide. He’s always been faithful to me.” (S. Groves)

• Syrian siege of Samaria
• scarcity of food

• the Bible: not written to magnify men
• primary emphasis: “For the Lord Himself…” (6-7)
• “…made the army…hear the sound…”
• crafted to call attention to the Lord’s wisdom and power
• twilight coordination (5, 7)

• 4 lepers: outcasts who assess, act and announce (3-5, 8-10)
• 1 servant: open to the connection between promise and proclamation (11-15)
• 1 opposing army: potential destroyers become the means of powerful deliverance (16-20)
• according to the word of the LORD

• Knowing that the Lord’s capacity to accomplish His purposes is unlimited, live with unlimited dependence on Him.
• “Maximize the message; minimize the messenger.” (Al Fasol)
• Celebrate the unceasing praise of unlikely people. (1. Cor. 1:27-31)
• Consider a greater deliverance. (Col. 1:13-14)
• “O that with yonder sacred throng we at His feet may fall. We’ll join the everlasting song and crown Him Lord of all…” (E. Perronet)

• Ahaziah and Elijah
• down and up (1:2. 2:11)

• In times of stress, one’s true spiritual temperature registers.
• After his fall, Ahaziah inquires…
• messengers sent to Ekron
• Beelzebub (Matt. 12:22-24)

• angelic messenger and Elijah
• repeated question: “Is it because…?”
• the hardened heart of Ahaziah

• ancient swat team
• consuming fire
• from prideful requirement to humble request
• the “last” word

• Because the sure word of the Lord covers and consumes, take it seriously and worship Him only.
• Joyfully embrace the jealousy of God and banish your baals.
• Hebrews 12:28-29: Rest in the covering provision and protection of Jesus!
• “Your word will be the last word. Your promises will stand forevermore. Man’s thoughts and all his plans will come to an end. But Your word will be the last word.” (T. Walker)

• troubled by Jezebel
• touched by an angel
• repeated question

• the spectacular: wind, quake, fire
• the vehicle of revelation
• a word is sufficient
• breathless wonder

• repeated answer
• emphasis on instrumentality
• the LORD: always working
• interrogation that invites evaluation

• three-fold task: international, national, personal
• still work to do
• assurance: not alone
• sustained and smitten
• connection to Christ

• Because the LORD knows where you are and where you need to be, humbly submit to His providential care and patient correction.
• Three applications: reject…resist…embrace…
• “He who is near to his Captain is sure to be a target for the archers.” (Carmichael)
• “He that appoints the voyage will victual the ship accordingly.” (Henry)
• “So…Humble yourself before your Lord and King. Give Him your heart, offer your everything. There’s no limit on the love He has for you. So humble yourself and see what God will do.” (Willard)

• meet Ahab, the wicked king
• meet Elijah, the prophet of God
• meet Baal, the Canaanite god of fertility

• series of orders
• audience: false prophets and all of Israel
• environment: hostile territory
• appeal: Get off the fence!!!

• proposition: competing sacrifices and calls
• pathetic display and profound silence
• prophetic derision
• smokeless altar

• Don’t miss this!
• a repaired and soggy altar
• that this people may know…
• recaptured devotion
• removal of malignancy

• When you acknowledge the real God, you can know real relief and rest.
• connection to Christ (1 Cor. 15:24-27, Heb. 10:19-25)
• “Give Us Clean Hands” (C. Hall) (Psa. 24:3-6)

• shift in focus from Northern to Southern Kingdom
• coverage of three kings (14:21-15:24)

• distinctive righteousness
• destructive righteousness: no pampered exemptions

• Baasha’s economic blockade
• Asa’s arrangement with Ben-hadad
• textbook diplomacy and total success
• commentary from 2 Chron. 16:1-12
• making the connection to Christ

• In light of the LORD’S unchanging faithfulness and unceasing support, finish well by relying wholly on Him.
• Recognize the peril of pragmatism.
• Remember Rom. 15:4 and let Scripture interpret Scripture.
• “Ah! If our likeness to God does not show itself in trifles, what is there left for it to show itself in? For our lives are all made up of trifles. The great things come three or four of them in the seventy years; the little ones every time the clock ticks.” (Maclaren)
• In order to finish well, run well now!
• “To this I hold, my only hope is Jesus, all the glory evermore to Him. When the race is complete, still my lips shall repeat: Yet not I, but through Christ in me!” (Robinson/Thompson/Farren)