Sermon Notes
Is There No God in Israel?
2 Kings 1
Dr. Tony Chute, Lead Pastor
Overview: King Ahaziah, son and successor of Ahab, falls through a lattice, resulting in a sickness that leaves him bedridden. He requests that his messengers inquire of Baal-zebub to find out if he will recover. The angel of the Lord tells Elijah to inform Ahaziah that he will not recover since he did not inquire of the Lord. When Ahaziah receives this news, he recognizes that Elijah is involved, and he sends the military, not messengers, to apprehend Elijah. When the captain commands Elijah to come down from the top of the hill, Elijah calls down fire from heaven. Ahaziah repeats this action by sending another captain and his fifty men with the same result. A third group is sent, but this time the captain recognizes that Elijah is a man of God and requests that his life be spared as he follows the king’s commands. Elijah is brought before the king and relays the message as originally given to him by the Lord, which soon comes to pass. The question—“Is there no God in Israel?”—is a reminder that we should seek the Lord at all times, knowing that His Word is true and our hope is in Him.
01. There is no circumstance that is too big or too small to bring before the Lord; let us accept God’s kind invitation for us to approach Him with all of our needs.
02. There is no situation that can fully exclude the Lord from intervening in our affairs; let us lean into the providence of God and trust Him to direct all of our steps.
03. There is no alternative that will override what the Lord has revealed in His Word; let us remain faithful to the Lord in the face of all opposition.
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION & DISCOVERY
1. What two circumstances occur in verses 1-2 that should have led Ahaziah to seek the Lord? Were either of these two circumstances too big or too small to take to the Lord? What is the biggest circumstance that led you to seek the Lord? What is the smallest circumstance that led you to seek the Lord?
2. Ahaziah sent messengers to Baal-zebub to inquire whether or not he would recover from his sickness. Where do non-Christians turn to for answers about circumstances and situations in their lives? From what sources do some Christians look for advice or help that are either forbidden by God or not wise to pursue in the first place?
3. Why did Ahaziah send the military, not messengers, to Elijah? Was this intended to be a friendly encounter? In what way does Ahaziah’s response to Elijah resemble that of his father in 1 Kings 22:8?
4. What is your reaction to Elijah calling down fire on the two captains and their fifty men in verses 9-12? How is this scene reminiscent of Elijah and the prophets of Baal in 1 Kings 18? Why do you suppose God does not give that same power to His servants today?
5. Ahaziah attempted, but failed, to change the outcome of his situation. What does the chapter imply about the Word of God being true regardless of who or how many people disregard it? Are you comforted by a text like this that shows how God’s Word will always prevail? Thank God for making Himself known in His Word and ordering all events to conform to His good and perfect will.
For Further Reading: John Piper, Reading the Bible Supernaturally: Seeing and Savoring the Glory of God in Scripture (Crossway, 2017)