July 2 - 2 Kings 1-4: These are the Days of Elijah Elisha

Today’s Reading: 2 Kings 1-4

The Message

English Standard Version

Today, July 2, is officially halfway through the Bible in a year! Congratulations! You have done it! It's all downhill from here!

Thought to Guide Your Reading

Elijah did not die. He was taken to be with God. How cool is that!

Summary in 100 Words or Less

Ahaziah, injured, consulted Baal-Zebub. Instead he heard Elijah's message, "You will die." Joram became king.
Elisha asked for Elijah's spirit. God escorted Elijah from the earth. Elisha took his place.
Jericho had bad water. God, through Elisha, purified it.
Children laughed at Elisha's baldness. Bears mauled them.
Joram, Jehoshaphat, and the king of Edom warred with Moab. God gave them victory.
God, through Elisha, helped a widow pay her debts.
An old couple allowed Elisha into their home. When their son died, God, through Elisha, revived him.
God, through Elisha, fed a hundred men with twenty loaves of bread.

How Today’s Reading Contributes to the Gospel: God is Setting All Things Right

The third captain sent by Ahaziah understood Elijah's position and asked for mercy.

Two captains with their fifty men died when they attempted to get Elijah to surrender. The third one humbled himself and asked for mercy. God not only spared their lives, He told Elijah to go with them. When we humble ourselves before holy people, God has mercy on us.

God took Elijah to heaven in a whirlwind.

Elijah had a difficult life. During all of it, Elijah faithfully set things right for God and only once did he question God's plan—when he asked to die. Because Elijah was so willing to do what God asked him to do, God allowed him not to see death. When we obey God no matter what, God will bless us in the end.

Elisha started where Elijah stopped.

Elisha's life starts off less dramatic than Elijah's; however, we know more things Elisha did. All of these things were done by God through Elisha. Anyone can be used by God to do great and small tasks. Not all tasks are dramatic; but all tasks are equally important to God.

Don't make fun of balding holy men.

Or the bears will get you.

Do you know a holy person you do not want to leave?

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