This chapter is dense, with many major events. The Shunammite woman (whose son Elisha raised from the dead) has her property restored, Elisha prophesies regarding a coup in Syria, and we learn of the next two kings of Judah.
“…when Jehoshaphat was king of Judah, Jehoram [his] son… began to reign… and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem… And he did what was evil in the sight of the Lord. Ahaziah the son of Jehoram, king of Judah, began to reign. Ahaziah… reigned one year in Jerusalem… He also walked in the way of the house of Ahab and did what was evil in the sight of the Lord” (v16-18, 25-27 abr)
The previous two kings of Judah (Asa and Jehoshaphat) were God-honoring, however Jehoram and Ahaziah were not. Jehoram married the daughter of Ahab, and Ahaziah was Ahab’s grandson. Ahab, one of the most misguided and evil kings of Israel, gained influence over Judah through these family ties.
Influence is an extremely powerful tool which anyone can use. With every interaction we exert some level of influence on the other person. Have you ever noticed a simple thing like a yawn has a chain reaction (influence)? How about something more complex like a belief or an attitude? These things can be passed from person to person.
The Bible says: “Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.” (Pro 13:20) Jehoram and Ahaziah were companions of fools. Inversely, we can receive and spread the joy and wisdom of the Lord. In most circumstances, we get to choose how we influence others, and how we allow others to influence us. Every aspect of an interaction can influence someone, including: our tone of voice, body language, word choice, actions, written word, our timing, and even past interactions (our track record actually plays a big part).
I encourage inviting the Holy Spirit into our interactions. He can help us honor God, and honor those with whom we interact. If we have a less-than-ideal history of interactions, we can’t change that, but we can own it and change our future track record. God can heal and restore anything if we invite Him into that process of change.
Father God, our Magnificent Lord and Glorious King, we praise Your holy name. Thank you for Your indwelling Holy Spirit, and the gift of influence. Spirit please guide our daily interactions with those around us. Please help us to honor our Father, and honor others through every aspect of our conduct. Father we honor and glorify You with all that we have, and all that we are, in the name of Jesus Your Son, amen.
~ Conqueror in Training