2 Kings 13

Bible Passage:  2 Kings 13

This is yet another rather sad chapter where we read about the death of a prophet, a good prophet who was Elisha.

Before he passed on, we read about Joash (or Jehoash.. Man, these names really get to you…) came to see Elisha and was sad that his life was coming to an end. And then Elisha gave him some seemingly random instructions. And that was to take a bow and arrows and shoot out of the east window. This was like a sign telling about God’s deliverance from the Syrians. And also that Joash was to strike them until they have been destroyed. Next he was instructed to strike the ground for an unspecified number of times. Joash struck the ground thrice. Elisha wasn’t happy…

You should have struck five or six times; then you would have struck Syria till you had destroyed it. But now you will struck Syria only three times… – v. 19

At first, I was thinking that that might not have been completely fair for Joash. He wasn’t really explicitly instructed to strike the ground that number of times. Perhaps, Joash had 101 good reasons why he only struck the ground thrice.

“That would be just wasting arrows…”

“Well, you didn’t tell me to hit the ground five/six times, did you mister?”

“My arms were getting tired dude…”

“I just helped you get the carpet shampooed just yesterday!!” (Ok… Scrap this one…)

But well, Elisha did imply before, to strike the Syrians UNTIL they would be destroyed. It might have been pretty clear then that Joash was supposed to strike the ground until, perhaps, Elisha told him to stop. For all we know, Joash might have been thinking, “What’s the whole point of this? Aiya… I’m tired of this already…”. (Editor’s note: This is just an opinion of mine.)

And let’s ponder… Why do you think that Joash just stopped at three? And what was really running through his mind?

Going The Distance For God

Sometimes, do you think that we could be like Joash here, but of course in different aspects? Perhaps in the aspect of divine work, or about faith?

Of course, we won’t get ministers or anybody parading around with bows and arrows, telling random brethren, “Hey, Robin Hood.. Shoot this at the ground”. But well.. We have been instructed to do many things.. From the Bible.. And through the sermons and words of encouragement we hear from many sources. To evangelise, to pastor the church, and so on..

However, there are times when some instructions seem… Incomplete or unclear… Or at least that’s how we sometimes see them. And because of this, we might be tempted to just do a bare minimum kind of standard. And in the instance that our work had been deemed to be somewhat lacking in effort, do we make excuses for ourselves?

“I’m too busy and have no time to do it..”

“No one told me, so I never do lor..” (Ah… Singlish..)

“Not clear, so that’s why I blur..” (Ah… Once again…)

Maybe these reasons are genuine. But let’s put it this way. If it were to be instructions from fellow brethren, do we make an effort to be clear of what to do? Do we try to understand what we are doing?

And, if it were concerning something God is telling us through the Holy Scriptures, do we really study His instructions with much interest and discernment? Do we really rely on the Holy Spirit to guide us with spiritual understanding? Do we ask for God to guide us as to what He wants us to do?

Perhaps, Joash’s situation was kinda hard to read back then. Perhaps, he really didn’t know what he ought to do. But well, this situation really kinda reminds me of what I’ve just shared..

If sometimes we are not so sure of what we should be doing with regards to the divine work or our life of faith, we have to make a conscious and dedicated effort to enquire with other brethren or best if we pray to God for guidance. We have to be diligent when it comes to the will of God.

I also did read a comment about this that suggests that continuously striking the ground is kinda like continuously striving to learn more about the word of God.. His commandments.. His instructions.. His will.. We shouldn’t have a half-hearted attitude, stopping when we feel like it or feeling too lazy to know more. We have to be diligent in learning more about our God whom we worship, to really seek and known Him. We have to be diligent in doing His divine work that He has given us the grace to do them.

And one more thing I do ask.. What was Joash’s state of faith then? Did he truly believe in the deliverance of God?

Likewise, what is our state of faith whenever we learn the words of God or do His work? I honestly don’t have a definite answer for every specific case, but I just hope this is something we can ponder at times..

I end my sharing with these few verses.. May we always be diligent and give our best to the Master!

…Then you shall inquire, search out, and ask diligently… (Warning to the people of Israel concerning apostates) – Deuteronomy 13: 14

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth… – 2 Timothy 2: 15

But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him… – Hebrews 11: 6