“What gives us conviction of sin is not the number of sins we have committed; it is the sight of the holiness of God.” (Martyn Lloyd-Jones). In the midst of sin, we see God’s mercy, which triumphs over judgment. God’s holiness demands that He deal with sin. God’s fulfills His promises and multiplies His people because of His love.
Elisha predicted that flour and two measures of barley would be sold for a shekel each in the gate of Samaria. An officer wondered if the Lord could open the windows of heaven, but Elisha said he would not eat of it. Four leprous men figured they would die of famine. They entered the camp of Arameans, but the Lord caused them to flee because of hearing a large army attacking them.The lepers entered their tents, ate food and hid silver, gold and clothes they found (2 Kings 7:1-8). God promises to provide for you miraculously in famine.
The lepers told the king and he figured the Arameans would attack and capture Israel once they left the city. The king took two chariots with horses to go after the army of the Arameans, but found they had thrown clothes and equipment in their haste so they plundered the camp. Flour and barley was sold for the price predicted according to the word of the Lord. The officer was trampled at the gate and died just as Elisha predicted (2 Kings 7:9-20). God fulfills His promises in famine.
Elisha told the woman whose son he restored to life to leave since the Lord called for famine. After seven years, she left the land of the Philistines and appealed for her house and field. When the king met the son restored to life by Elisha, he gave the property back to the woman. Ben-hadad king of Aram sent Hazael to ask Elisha if he would recover from his sickness. Elisha told Hazael that Ben-hadad would die and with weeping, predicted Hazael would kill men, women and children after he became king. Ben-hadad died and Hazael became king (2 Kings 8:7-15). God’s sovereignty changes the hearts of authorities to respond and accomplish His purposes.
Jehoram, the son of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, became king and did evil like Ahab. The Lord did not destroy Judah because He promised to give descendants through David. Ahaziah, the son of Jehoram king of Judah, next reigned and he walked in evil like Ahab (2 Kings 8:16-29). God’s mercy and compassion triumph over sin so His people can be multiplied.
Elisha told one of the prophets to pour oil on Jehu son of Jehoshaphat to anoint as king over Israel. The prophet declared that Jehu would destroy the house of Ahab to avenge the blood of the Lord’s servants shed by Jezebel. Dogs would devour her on the plot of ground at Jezreel and no one would bury her (2 Kings 9:1-13). God chooses and equips people to fulfill His will.
Jehu questioned Joram, “How can there be peace as long as all the idolatry and witchcraft of your mother Jezebel abound?” Jehu shot his arrow to kill Joram whose body was thrown on the field belonging to Naboth the Jezreelite. Jehu wounded Ahaziah king of Judah who died later (2 Kings 9:14-29). God’s holiness demands that idolatry and witchcraft be judged.
Eunuchs threw Jezebel down from the window and nothing was left to bury in fulfillment of the word of the Lord spoken through Elijah, “On the plot of ground at Jezreel dogs will devour Jezebel’s flesh. Jezebel’s body will be like refuse on the ground in the plot at Jezreel, so that no one will be able to say, ‘This is Jezebel'” (2 Kings 9:30-37). God fulfills His prophecies of judgment according to His word.
Where do you see God’s mercy and compassion in your life? Praise Him for His mercy and compassion. Where is God judging you for your sin? Confess and forsake your sin.
