In Second Kings 9:22 Joram asks Jehu if he has come in peace.  Jehu responds, “How can there be peace as long as all the idolatry and witchcraft of your mother Jezebel abound?”  Jehu is clearly communicating that peace does not come between God and evil.  Our application should be a bit cautious, but clear.

Naaman seems to have some pretty simple, albeit specific, expectations of how God would show up in his life.  In his first statement, I wonder if Naaman feels a little ignored or slighted that Elisha did not come out himself to see him.  Naaman is a man of some importance within Aram but Elisha sends his messenger to Naaman rather than coming out himself.  This is a good lesson to us to not think too highly of ourselves as well (Romans 12:3). 

Therefore, I’d love to consider this miracle of the poisonous stew for a moment and consider a couple things we can learn from it.  One that may go without saying is the public service announcement to not eat unfamiliar items we scavenge from outside.  There are many healthy food products in nature, but there are some that are inedible or even poisonous.  Unless we are certain of their edibility, we should stay away from mushrooms, berries, seeds, and plants.

Jehosheba is a hero of the Bible who saves a toddler from the evil schemes of a power-hungry authority.  Consider how Moses was saved under Pharaoh’s reign, or Jesus during the time of King Herod.  Even with this heroic act, we know little about Jehosheba.  She was the daughter of King Jehoram and married the priest Jehoiada.  These are two historical figures most people know little about.  Her husband led a rebellion to instill the rightful heir of David to the throne in Jerusalem.  Her father was so evil the Bible says that when he died it was to no one’s regret (2 Chron. 21:20).

It is noteworthy that King Ahab avoided the truth because he deemed it as bad.  Instead, he listened to the 400 voices that told him what he wanted to hear.  King Rehoboam did the same thing in First Kings chapter 12.  Instead of listening to the advice of the elders, who gave advice he did not want to hear, he followed the advice of his peers.  He followed what he wanted rather than what was best for him.

Has there ever been anything in your life that you really wanted and did not get?  How did you respond?  Have you ever played or watched a sport in which you really wanted your team to win but they didn’t?  How did you respond?  Have you ever worked hard and wanted to earn a promotion or a good grade but did not receive what you thought you deserved?  How did you respond?  In any of these situations, or others when you did not get what you wanted, did you sulk or become angry or refuse to eat?