This chapter recounts Elijah’s interactions with Ahaziah, King of Israel (son of Ahab and Jezebel).
“Again the king sent the captain of a third fifty with his fifty. And the third captain of fifty… fell on his knees before Elijah and entreated him, ‘O man of God, please let my life, and the life of these fifty servants of yours, be precious in your sight…” So [Elijah] arose and went down with him to the king and said to him, ‘Thus says the Lord, “Because you have sent messengers to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron… you shall not come down from the bed to which you have gone up, but you shall surely die.” ‘ So he died according to the word of the Lord that Elijah had spoken.” (v13-17a abr)
King Ahaziah sends messengers to enquire about his health from a foreign god. Elijah intercepts those messengers with a prophecy from God, but Ahaziah isn’t happy about it. Three times he sends 50 soldiers to arrest Elijah, and the first two times they’re consumed by fire from heaven. The third time God has mercy because the soldier captain showed humility, and God tells Elijah to go confront the king directly.
Seeking advice from a source other than God isn’t necessarily a problem, unless we hold their feedback in higher regard than we hold God’s word. It’s perfectly fine to seek the opinions of experts in their fields (eg. medical or construction professionals), however, we must not view their word as equal to or greater than God’s. Ahaziah sought prophecy from a foreign god, rather than from the God of his ancestors (“because there is no God in Israel” at this point [v3,6,16]).
I have certainly sinned against God in this way before. I got myself into a few bad situations before I realized that I had misplaced my trust. I regarded the words of people more highly than the words of God. I am still dealing with some of the consequences, even though this happened several years ago.
I encourage us to seek the Father first. No matter what the question, no matter what the advice or prophecy we need, seek Him first and foremost above all others. Trust me when I say not even Google knows more than God (they’ve misled me many times). He is our one true God, the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and David. He is all-powerful, all-knowing, and far beyond any human or computer intelligence.
Father God, our Omniscient and Omnipotent King, great and mighty is Your name. Father You are undeniably the greatest resource we have – Your infinite love and provision would overwhelm us if poured out all at once. Father we have been foolish and sought worldly wisdom above Yours, and we confess this sin. We ask that going forward You would gently remind us to seek You first and foremost above any other. Father please be our primary source of wisdom and knowledge, so we may prosper as Your people and others would take notice. In the name of Jesus, the One who set the greatest example of relying on You, amen.
~ Conqueror in Training