Examining The Scripture LIV: A Book of Kings & Two Prophets of God

The ironic thing about 1 and 2 Kings is that their theological narratives do not orbit around kings. These books need to be read from a theological narrative standpoint and by doing this we see that the two main characters are actually Elijah and Elisha, prophets of the Lord. The Book of Kings (originally written as one book then later divided into four parts, 1 & 2 Samuel / 1 & 2 Kings) cover a time period of approximately 400 years, between the 10th and 6th centuries B.C. or between the time of David and the Babylonian exile. A majority of these books (about 2/3) covers an (80) eighty year period during…you guessed it: Elijah’s and Elisha’s lives.

As I have stated before, it is because we need to view the Book of Kings from God’s angle or the spiritual angle. The Book of Kings literally fleshes out the theology of Deuteronomy in real-life applications on Israeli kings and the prophets that play their constant companions. The book also fleshes out real life applications through the people of Israel. It warns of the dangers of syncretism and the acceptance of other false religions into a culture at the expense of losing the one true God (Yahweh). The Book of Kings elaborates on the dangers of false religion / idolatry and the price paid for turning away from God and what He commanded. How ultimately, to turn you back on God and apostatize is to doom a person, a nation or an entire generation.

It was why Moses was so diligent writing the Law. It was way God was so strict with his statutes and demands on His people. It is a perfect example to people nowadays why we should not water down our faith and be so accepting of other religions that call us exclusivist or intolerant just so we will accept them quickly without first demanding that they at least meet the rudimentary requirements of our faith which was the Law and is now Jesus Christ. We now have people calling themselves Christians that don't even believe that Christ is The Way.

During a time or rampant syncretism (referred to today as Interfaithism / Ecumenicalism) Elijah and Elisha stood directly opposed to the surrounding culture’s acceptance of polytheism or acceptance of combined Baalism/Yahwehism worship. A lesson that could be learned today in 2010 A.D. They were committed to Yahweh and Him alone and faced considerable opposition and pressure to do otherwise. So from a Biblical standpoint, are we being intolerant as believers when we refuse to take on the beliefs of other religions? Are we being obedient to the Word of God with Elijah and Elisha as examples of what we are to do when confronted in modern culture about our beliefs? When we are confronted with sinful reprobate demands that we “get with the program” and stop being so “backwards , uneducated and ignorant” based on their debased logic? They say we need to stop being so “hateful” and learn to “evolve” like the rest of society (excuse me while I gag). Do we still have enough courage to stand in the face of it all and take it on the chin because we know deep down in our hearts that we cannot accept these clearly unbiblical precepts and warped ideas. Especially when we see what happens to those that do all throughout Israelite history. Because we have done our homework and we know our past and we don’t want to repeat it (again). Do we toe the line for today’s culture by acquiescing and giving in to their twisted clarion call: “Allow the sin so we don’t hurt other people’s feelings!” Do we keep our mouths shut?

Or… like Elijah and Elisha, do we boldly speak out for God, our God, the God of the Bible and for righteousness, holiness. What is our Biblical mandate? Do we defend our faith or get crushed under the feet of a mindless mob rushing towards postmodernism and the deconstruction of anything that is holy? I know what the Bible says, do you?