2 KINGS 13
Hands of oppression. Jehoahaz followed the wrong example (v. 2) and brought Israel into bondage to foreign kings. Yet God was merciful to the disobedient king and His suffering people. As David wrote, “He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor punished us according to our iniquities” (
Hands of power. Elisha was a dying man, yet he was able to communicate the power of God to the king. One man of God was equal in power to the whole army of Israel (v. 14)!
Hands of opportunity. Lacking spiritual discernment, the king did not understand the will of God as he followed the prophet’s orders. Jehoash merely went through the motions, and as a result, he claimed only a limited victory over the enemy. He missed his opportunity and could never claim it again. What opportunity will God give you today that you may never have again?
“The opportunity that God sends does not wake up him who is asleep.”
Sengalese Proverb