Title: Return To Watch Mountain
Bible Book: 2 Kings 12 : 18-37
Author: David E. Owen
Subject: Resurrection; Easter
Objective:
Introduction
We are continuing a series on Resurrection Scenes from the Word of God.
As a point of review, as far as I can tell, there are nine situations in the scripture, including the resurrection of Jesus Himself, when someone who had died is resurrected from a state of death. We also read in Matthew 27:52-53 that after Jesus’ resurrection, “many bodies of the saints which slept arose and came out of the graves.” As well, the Bible speaks of the resurrection of the dead believers in passages like 1 Corinthians 15 and 1 Thessalonians 4.
In a couple of these resurrection scenes, the dead one is said to have been “revived.” So the benefit and purpose of this series is two-fold. It will prepare us for Easter Sunday as we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, and it will help us prepare for our revival as we learn some of the factors involved in these Biblical scenes of someone being “revived.”
The first resurrection scene takes place at a place called Zarephath in 1 Kings 17 during the ministry of the prophet Elijah, and we dealt with that situation last Sunday morning. This morning, we looked at 2 Kings 4 at a place called Shunem, where Elisha was involved in the resurrection of the son of the great Shunammite woman.
Some 40 or 50 years later, after Elisha has died, there is a war taking place in Israel with the Moabites. And the Bible gives the brief record by saying…
(2 Kings 13:20-21) And Elisha died, and they buried him. And the bands of the Moabites invaded the land at the coming in of the year. {21} And it came to pass, as they were burying a man, that, behold, they spied a band of men; and they cast the man into the sepulchre of Elisha: and when the man was let down, and touched the bones of Elisha, he revived, and stood up on his feet.
So we have another resurrection scene. And in all likelihood, the burying place of Elisha was in Samaria, which was the capital city of the northern kingdom of Israel.
The name “Samaria” means a watch tower or a watch mountain The online Jewish Encyclopedia says…
The man whom he revived from death, according to some, did not live for more than one hour; this was to show that the wicked should not be buried with the righteous. … Shalom ben Ti?wah was the name of the man revived by Elisha's bones (from what I can piece together, this name means “Peace, son of hope”); according to some he did not die immediately after, but lived (2 Kings 22:14) and begot a son, Hanameel (Jeremiah 22:7).
http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com
Cf. (2 Kings 22:14) So Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam, and Achbor, and Shaphan, and Asahiah, went unto Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe; (now she dwelt in Jerusalem in the college;) and they communed with her.
Cf. (Jeremiah 32:7) Behold, Hanameel the son of Shallum thine uncle shall come unto thee, saying, Buy thee my field that is in Anathoth: for the right of redemption is thine to buy it.
As we look at yet another scene of resurrection and revival from God’s word, we must consider what is going on in Israel in this passage.
A Problem of Bereavement in Israel
In 2 Kings 13:10-14, There Is A Problem Of Bereavement In Israel … Because The Prophet Is Dying. The Bible tells us that “Elisha was fallen sick of his sickness whereof he died.”
A Problem with Believing in Israel
In 2 Kings 13:14-19, There Is A Problem With Believing In Israel … Behold, The Potentate Is Doubting. Joash, the king of Israel has come to visit the prophet who is on his deathbed. And Elisha said to Joash in verse 18, “Take the arrows. And he took them. And he said unto the king of Israel, Smite upon the ground. And he smote thrice, and stayed.” And in verse 19, “the man of God was wroth with him, and said, Thou shouldest have smitten five or six times; then hadst thou smitten Syria till thou hadst consumed it: whereas now thou shalt smite Syria but thrice.”
A Problem with the Battle in Israel
In 2 Kings 13:20-21, There Is A Problem With The Battle In Israel … But The Power Is Demonstrated. The Bible says in 2 Kings 13:20-21 that “And Elisha died, and they buried him. And the bands of the Moabites invaded the land at the coming in of the year. And it came to pass, as they were burying a man, that, behold, they spied a band of men; and they cast the man into the sepulchre of Elisha: and when the man was let down, and touched the bones of Elisha, he revived, and stood up on his feet.”
One writer described the scene like this…
Have you ever heard someone say that a meeting was “as dead as 4 o’clock”? Whatever time it was in the Jezreel Valley that day, the meeting place was like a graveyard, and the preacher was as dead as the one man who had shown up for the meeting. This visitor had fallen in the battle, and he had been “let down” (2 Kings 13:21) by his friends. To be honest, they never expected to see him live for God again. Elisha had been the greatest of preachers at one time, but the day this poor fellow showed up, Elisha only had a skeleton outline. But God Almighty used what was left, and when the man “touched the bones of Elisha, he revived, and stood up on his feet” (13:21)! No matter how dead the preacher or the people are, if God comes on the scene, revival can be a reality!
And Revival was desirable, for as we see again…
I. There Is A Problem Of Bereavement In Israel
A. Because The Prophet Is Dying (2 Kings 13:10–14)
(2 Kings 13:14) Now Elisha was fallen sick of his sickness whereof he died. And Joash the king of Israel came down unto him, and wept over his face, and said, O my father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof.
sick – Hebrew 2470. chalah, khaw-law'; a prim. root [comp. H2342, H2470, H2490]; prop. to be rubbed or worn; hence (fig.) to be weak, sick, afflicted; or (causat.) to grieve, make sick; also to stroke (in flattering), entreat:--beseech, (be) diseased, (put to) grief, be grieved, (be) grievous, infirmity, intreat, lay to, put to pain, X pray, make prayer, be (fall, make) sick, sore, be sorry, make suit (X supplication), woman in travail, be (become) weak, be wounded.
A. Let’s Think About The Steady Minister
2 Kings 13:14
1. He Has Had An Outstanding Ministry
Some say that he ministered in Israel for a period of close to 50 or 60 years. His time of activity in 2 Kings 2 thru 8 covers perhaps a 15 year period.
2. He Has Had An Obscure Ministry
The last time we heard from Elisha was in 2 Kings 9:1. Since this word, it has been about 45 years since we have heard from Him.
B. Let’s Think About The Surprising Mourner
1. This King Joash Has Missed The Mark
(2 Kings 13:11) And he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord; he departed not from all the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel sin: but he walked therein.
And yet…
2. This King Joash Is Mourning The Minister
(2 Kings 13:14) Now Elisha was fallen sick of his sickness whereof he died. And Joash the king of Israel came down unto him, and wept over his face, and said, O my father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof.
This is surprising because of what we learn about him in earlier verses in this chapter…
(2 Kings 13:10-11) In the thirty and seventh year of Joash king of Judah began Jehoash the son of Jehoahaz to reign over Israel in Samaria, and reigned sixteen years. {11} And he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord; he departed not from all the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel sin: but he walked therein.
C. Let’s Think About The Sorrow As It Is Manifested
2 Kings 13:14
1. Joash Uses An Expression That Reveals Departure
(2 Kings 2:11-12) And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. {12} And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. And he saw him no more: and he took hold of his own clothes, and rent them in two pieces.
2. Joash Uses An Expression That Reveals Dependence
(2 Kings 13:7) Neither did he leave of the people to Jehoahaz but fifty horsemen, and ten chariots, and ten thousand footmen; for the king of Syria had destroyed them, and had made them like the dust by threshing.
With so few horsemen and chariots in Israel, as Joash views Elisha as a horseman and chariot – as one who guides and carries the nation – a premium is placed upon him.
It is as if Joash is saying, “What are we going to do without you?) Revival was desirable, for as we see…
II. There Is A Problem With Believing In Israel
Behold, The Potentate Is Doubting
(2 Kings 13:14–19)
A. Notice The Concept Of Believing Eternal Things In Faith
(2 Kings 13:17) And he said, Open the window eastward. And he opened it…
1. The Eastern Conquests Of Syria
By Opening The Window Joash Was Reminded Of The Eastern Conquests Of Syria
(2 Kings 10:32-33) In those days (the days of Jehu) the Lord began to cut Israel short: and Hazael smote them in all the coasts of Israel; {33} From Jordan eastward, all the land of Gilead, the Gadites, and the Reubenites, and the Manassites, from Aroer, which is by the river Arnon, even Gilead and Bashan.
2. The Eternal Concept Of Sovereignty
By Opening The Window Joash Was Reminded Of The Eternal Concept Of Sovereignty
For the same Hebrew word for “eastward” is also rendered in Deuteronomy 33:27 as “eternal.” Look to the eternal things!
(Deuteronomy 33:27) The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy them.
B. Notice The Concept Of Believing Expected Things In The Future
1. The Arrows Of Declaration
There was a message wrapped up in these arrows, for Elisha announced the title of the sermon as he said in verse 17, “The arrow of the Lord’s deliverance”
2. The Anticipation Of Deliverance
(2 Kings 13:17) And he said, Open the window eastward. And he opened it. Then Elisha said, Shoot. And he shot. And he said, The arrow of the Lord's deliverance, and the arrow of deliverance from Syria: for thou shalt smite the Syrians in Aphek, till thou have consumed them.
C. Notice The Concept Of Believing Experiential Things Is Flawed
1. This Is A Faltering Attitude
(2 Kings 13:18) And he said, Take the arrows. And he took them. And he said unto the king of Israel, Smite upon the ground. And he smote thrice, and stayed.
2. This Is A Frustrating Attitude
(2 Kings 13:19) And the man of God was wroth with him, and said, Thou shouldest have smitten five or six times; then hadst thou smitten Syria till thou hadst consumed it: whereas now thou shalt smite Syria but thrice.
(2 Kings 13:25) And Jehoash the son of Jehoahaz took again out of the hand of Benhadad the son of Hazael the cities, which he had taken out of the hand of Jehoahaz his father by war. Three times did Joash beat him, and recovered the cities of Israel.
Aesop's Fable: The Eagle And The Arrow
An Eagle sat on a lofty rock, watching the movements of a Hare whom he sought to make his prey. An archer, who saw the Eagle from a place of concealment, took an accurate aim and wounded him mortally. The Eagle gave one look at the arrow that had entered his heart and saw in that single glance that its feathers had been furnished by himself. “It is a double grief to me,” he exclaimed, “that I should perish by an arrow feathered from my own wings.”
This is Joash’s plight. He seals his own fate by a lack of faith.
Cf. (Matthew 9:27-30) And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying, and saying, Thou son of David, have mercy on us. {28} And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord. {29} Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you. {30} And their eyes were opened; and Jesus straitly charged them, saying, See that no man know it.
Revival was desirable, for as we see…
III. There Is A Problem With The Battle In Israel
But The Power Is Demonstrated (2 Kings 13:20–25)
A. Notice The Invasion Of The Moabites
1. Let’s Consider Their Sinful Origins
(Genesis 19:37) And the firstborn bare a son, and called his name Moab: the same is the father of the Moabites unto this day.
The Moabites are the descendants of the incestuous union of Lot and his oldest daughter after the destruction of Sodom.
2. Let’s Consider Their Sudden Offensive
(2 Kings 13:20) And Elisha died, and they buried him. And the bands of the Moabites invaded the land at the coming in of the year.
B. Notice The Intervention Of The Miraculous
1. There Was The Tragedy Of Death
They were burying a man
Jacob was Heartbroken when he needed revival. Samson was Helpless when he needed revival.
This man is utterly Hopeless.
He, along with these other men, literally came to the end of himself, and so must you and I come to the end of ourselves before we would experience God’s reviving power.
2. There Was The Touch Of The Divine
Elisha would not return, but the remnants of Elisha, whose name means in one sense “the God of supplication,” can be touched, and thus produce revival.
(2 Kings 13:21) And it came to pass, as they were burying a man, that, behold, they spied a band of men; and they cast the man into the sepulchre of Elisha: and when the man was let down, and touched the bones of Elisha, he revived, and stood up on his feet.
We must bring our areas of deadness and let them down with the remnants of “the God of supplication.” We must bring that which has died in our lives and join it with what remains of our prayer life.
C. Notice The Insight Into The Mercy Of God
1. In The Midst Of Oppression God Still Regarded His People
(2 Kings 13:22-23) But Hazael king of Syria oppressed Israel all the days of Jehoahaz. {23} And the LORD was gracious unto them, and had compassion on them, and had respect unto them, because of his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and would not destroy them, neither cast he them from his presence as yet.
gracious – Hebrew 2603. chanan, khaw-nan'; a prim. root [comp. H2583]; prop. to bend or stoop in kindness to an inferior; to favor, bestow; causat. to implore (i.e. move to favor by petition):--beseech, X fair, (be, find, shew) favour (-able), be (deal, give, grant (gracious (-ly), intreat, (be) merciful, have (shew) mercy (on, upon), have pity upon, pray, make supplication, X very.
compassion – Hebrew 7355. racham, raw-kham'; a prim. root; to fondle; by impl. to love, espec. to compassionate:--have compassion (on, upon), love, (find, have, obtain, shew) mercy (-iful, on, upon), (have) pity, Ruhamah, X surely.
2. In The Midst Of Oppression God Still Recovered His People
(2 Kings 13:24-25) So Hazael king of Syria died; and Benhadad his son reigned in his stead. {25} And Jehoash the son of Jehoahaz took again out of the hand of Benhadad the son of Hazael the cities, which he had taken out of the hand of Jehoahaz his father by war. Three times did Joash beat him, and recovered the cities of Israel.
recovered – Hebrew 7725. shuwb, shoob; a prim. root; to turn back (hence, away) trans. or intrans., lit. or fig. (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point); gen. to retreat; often adv. again.
Conclusion
After a week of being physically sick, my wife and I were leaving church after a Sunday morning service, and she used this expression. She said that she felt like “Death warmed over.” Literally, that’s what happened to the soldier. It was a case of “Death warmed over”!
God can still do that in our spiritual death issues. He is the God who brings life out of death!
(1 Corinthians 15:54) So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
(Isaiah 25:8) He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the Lord hath spoken it.
