Month: February 2025

When Joram saw Jehu he asked, “Have you come in peace, Jehu?” “How can there be peace,” Jehu replied, “as long as all the idolatry and witchcraft of your mother Jezebel abounds?” II Kings 9:22 (II Kings 8-16)

The beautiful story of Elisha is set amidst the history of Israel and Judah’s kings. Ahab’s wickedness became the standard by which these men are defined, but not judged. We are all judged by God’s Holiness.  Ahab’s wife Jezebel and their daughter Athaliah are the manipulators and motivators to a great deal of horror. Punishment was prophesied and fulfilled.

Jehu, a military officer, was anointed by Elisha for the purpose of eradicating the house of Ahab and all baalism of its priests and followers.  He was relentless and bloody, but remember, baalism was unspeakably vile. Jehu was not Godly, but God used him to carry out the consequences of sin as Israel became a weaker nation and grew smaller as neighboring governments began to absorb land.

This portion of the Bible is incredibly difficult to consume and process. The fall of Ahab’s house exempted no one, especially his wife and daughter. Hundreds were executed. Jezebel groomed herself in beauty as Jehu approached the palace. Her own slaves threw her off a balcony and dogs devoured her body. Neither baal nor her vixen ways could save her. II Kings 10:27 tells that the ruins of baal’s temple became a toilet. God is serious! Idolatry, no matter how big or small, will end badly. Have NO OTHER GODS! The consequences are certain, except for those who believe, repent and worship only, The One True Good, Good, God.

Love,

Gretchen

Then he set it before them, and they ate and had some left over according to the word of the LORD. II Kings 4:44 (II Kings 3-7)

Elisha was the people’s prophet. Most of his miracles were of healing and kindness. His story began as part of God’s remedy to Elijah’s depression. Many of Elisha’s miracles were repeated in some way by Jesus. Jesus fed a multitude with one child’s lunch, but first Elisha fed 100 with 20 barley loaves, also with left overs to spare! Elisha healed a Syrian soldier. Jesus used this example to justify His own healing of non Jews.

The resume of this prophet certainly reads like a Biblical superhero.  He purified a well, then filled a valley with water to sustain Israel and Judah’s armies while using that same water to fool the king of Moab into defeat.  A widows oil was increased, the Shunammite’s  young son was raised from the dead, a poisonous vine was accidentally added to a stew and Elisha cleansed the food, loaves of bread were multiplied and Naaman, the Syrian, was cured of leprosy. An ax head defied gravity to save the borrower’s honor and Elisha’s invisible chariots saved Samaria.

These all were acts of mercy. In a tumultuous time when wrong and right were obscured by false teachers and corrupt governments, Elisha showed God’s intimate love for people.

In time of famine, heartache, oppression or depression, when God is difficult to define, making Him even harder to see, and you find yourself curled up under the broom tree, in a fetal position, don’t despair. God is readying a miracle, custom designed for you. The best is still to come.

Love,

Gretchen

“Is it because there is no God in Israel for you to consult that you have sent messengers to consult Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron?” II Kings 1:4b (I Kings 22:41-II Kings 2)

Elijah was sent on a mission of hope in the face of unyielding rulers. These kings led their people in idolatry and debauchery of the most destructive and dysfunctional kind. All the while, God was patiently, but fervently, waiting and preparing for the best case scenario.

Three times the words above are stated in reference to an incident where Ahaziah, Ahab’s son and heir to Israel, injured himself and sought hope in Baal. The One True God’s response? “Why are you walking past healing into death?” Wickedness and arrogance followed Ahaziah and his parent to their graves, but God did not hold Elijah accountable. Elijah answered and acted every time God called. He was taken into Heaven by a radiant Chariot to stand with Moses as a great hero of God’s message, a message for us today.

Don’t walk past hope. It is yours and you are worthy. Stop, receive and bask in all that God has for you. 

Love,

Gretchen