March 3, 2025, 2 Kings 13:14-19

March 3, 2025, 2 Kings 13:14-19

¹⁴ Now when Elisha had fallen sick with the illness of which he was to die, Joash king of Israel went down to him and wept before him, crying, “My father, my father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!” ¹⁵ And Elisha said to him, “Take a bow and arrows.” So he took a bow and arrows. ¹⁶ Then he said to the king of Israel, “Draw the bow,” and he drew it. And Elisha laid his hands on the king's hands. ¹⁷ And he said, “Open the window eastward,” and he opened it. Then Elisha said, “Shoot,” and he shot. And he said, “The Lord's arrow of victory, the arrow of victory over Syria! For you shall fight the Syrians in Aphek until you have made an end of them.” ¹⁸ And he said, “Take the arrows,” and he took them. And he said to the king of Israel, “Strike the ground with them.” And he struck three times and stopped. ¹⁹ Then the man of God was angry with him and said, “You should have struck five or six times; then you would have struck down Syria until you had made an end of it, but now you will strike down Syria only three times.”

These verses depict a symbolic act where the prophet Elisha, on his deathbed, tells King Joash to shoot arrows from a bow with the number of arrows he strikes on the ground representing the extent of Israel’s victory over Syria.  Because Joash’s had a lack of faith and hesitation in fully carrying out the action, the victory is limited.

Does this imply God’s blessings are often dependent on the level of faith and obedience we demonstrate?  Ponder on this thought for a moment.  Do you agree or disagree with this thought?  As you strive to abide in Christ, check your faith and obedience and pray for God to increase both in your life.

Robin Adams