Second Kings

LeRoy Eims

You would think that the experiences of the nation during the time of the judges would safeguard them against a return to idol worship, but not so.

In the whole range of Bible history we do not have a greater exhibition of the depravity of human nature than what is supplied by the crime, idolatry and abominations of the northern kingdom. For almost two hundred fifty years this state of things prevailed. From the time of Samuel to the latter part of the reign of Solomon, idolatry did not exist. Solomon's turning from God was the beginning.

Men such as Elijah, Elisha, and Hezekiah shine so beautifully as lights in the midst of this moral darkness and decay. Through it all the love, patience and faithfulness of God is seen.

The voice of the Lord by His prophets never ceased. Mighty miracles occurred. It was a time when the people were in great need of evidence assuring them of the presence of God. During this period, there were twenty mighty miracles performed.

The next period of time calling for great miraculous acts is that of our Lord by which he established the claims of the Messiah and the evidence that He was the Son of God. Jesus said, "For the Father loveth the Son, and showeth him all things that he himself doeth; and he will show him greater works than these, that ye may marvel." (John 5:20)

It is amazing to see that against the backdrop of the calls of the prophets and miraculous acts of God, Israel continued to sin. But the light was still there. She defied God, but God never ceased to speak. She ignored the claims, but they were always there before her.

Two great events call for special notice. One was the translation of Elijah when he was taken to heaven in a chariot of fire. It was in this darkest moment for Israel that this wonderful event occurred. Could there have been a greater divine seal of approval on the prophet's work? He who had spoken so boldly for God, denouncing the sins of the time, was marvelously and miraculously removed from those dark and sinful scenes.

By this act God taught His people then, and us today, that death does not end it all. That Elijah continued to live is abundantly established by his appearance centuries later on the Mount of Transfiguration. There with Moses, the great representative of the law, and Elijah, the representative of the prophets, is Jesus, the fulfillment of the Law and the prophets.

The other great event to note is the finding of the Book of the Law. Josiah had purified the land of idolatry and proceeded to repair and beautify the temple. In doing so the priests found a copy of the law of Moses. He discovered the judgments of God, and to be explicit against the sins of the nations, he immediately called the people together for a solemn renewal of their covenant with God. The finding and the reading of the Word of God made the deepest impression, caused the greatest concern and resulted in a religious reformation and a turning to God.

The Bible is a lost book to thousands within the church. How powerfully they would be moved to a deeper spiritual life, to more effective Christian service, if they found the Bible through earnest, prayerful, and diligent study of its truth.