A Great Sacrifice to Baal

Reading:  2 Kings 10

Before we destroy poor old Baal, let's get a handle on who exactly he was and why he had so many worshippers.  The Encyclopaedia Brittanca explains the erstwhile deity as such...

Baal, god worshiped in many ancient Middle Eastern communities, especially among the Canaanites, who apparently considered him a fertility deity and one of the most important gods in the pantheon. As a Semitic common nounbaal (Hebrew baʿal) meant “owner” or “lord,” although it could be used more generally; for example, a baal of wings was a winged creature, and, in the plural, baalim of arrows indicated archers. Yet such fluidity in the use of the term baal did not prevent it from being attached to a god of distinct character. As such, Baal designated the universal god of fertility, and in that capacity his title was Prince, Lord of the Earth. He was also called the Lord of Rain and Dew, the two forms of moisture that were indispensable for fertile soil in Canaan. In Ugaritic and Old Testament Hebrew, Baal’s epithet as the storm god was He Who Rides on the Clouds. In Phoenician he was called Baal Shamen, Lord of the Heavens.

So there we have the basic bio of Baal and from it we can gain an understanding of why so many people chose to worship him (fertility and all).  Of course there is the tiny matter of, "Thou shalt have no other gods before me" (Ex. 20:3). ...

2 KINGS 10:18-19

18 And Jehu gathered all the people together, and said unto them, Ahab served Baal a little; but Jehu shall serve him much. 

19 Now therefore call unto me all the prophets of Baal, all his servants, and all his priests; let none be wanting: for I have a great sacrifice to do to Baal; whosoever shall be wanting, he shall not live. But Jehu did it in subtilty, to the intent that he might destroy the worshippers of Baal. 

Sneaky, sneaky, Mr.Jehu!  So he gathered together all of the Baal worshippers; all the prophets, priests, servants, disciples, "...All their wives, and all their children, and all their sheep, and all their cattle, and all their cats and dogs. All of them..." Okay, maybe not all that other stuff but I had to give a nod to Vulcan from the classic film, Baron Munchausen.  Anyway, they were all gathered together in the house of Baal and to ensure a complete tactical success Jehu went as far as to threaten his own men with their lives if the allowed anyone to escape... 

2 KINGS 10:24-25, 28

24 And when they went in to offer sacrifices and burnt offerings, Jehu appointed fourscore men without, and said, If any of the men whom I have brought into your hands escape, he that letteth him go, his life shall be for the life of him. 

25 And it came to pass, as soon as he had made an end of offering the burnt offering, that Jehu said to the guard and to the captains, Go in, and slay them; let none come forth. And they smote them with the edge of the sword; and the guard and the captains cast them out, and went to the city of the house of Baal. 

28 Thus Jehu destroyed Baal out of Israel. 

Well done, right?  Uhh...well, umm, yeah, good job Jehu but uh, why did he continue to worship other idols (v.29).  Concerning don't you think?  Oh well, let's not find fault in one so brazen as to accomplish such a heavy task for The Lord.  He did destroy the house of Ahab and he did destroy Baal out of Israel and he did gain a promise from God that his seed would reign for four generations but how much more could it have been if he were but righteous till the end...

~Kipling

Treachery of Hazael

Reading:   2 Kings 8-9

It's one thing to premeditate a murder but to premeditate a murder, get called out from a man of God who has seen your future action, and then commit the murder anyway - quite on another level of wrong!  Yet here, in chapter eight, we are witness to such an occurrence.

The king of Syria was sick and, curious as to what the future held, he sent his right hand man, Hazael, to inquire of the Israelite prophet (after so many encounters with Elisha, I'm sure the king had much respect for the man).  Hazael went forth as requested but, in the dark chambers of his heart, planned to slay the king upon his return...

2 KINGS 8:10, 14-15

10 And Elisha said unto him, Go, say unto him, Thou mayest certainly recover: howbeit the Lord hath shewed me that he shall surely die. 

14 So he departed from Elisha, and came to his master; who said to him, What said Elisha to thee? And he answered, He told me that thou shouldest surely recover. 

15 And it came to pass on the morrow, that he took a thick cloth, and dipped it in water, and spread it on his face, so that he died: and Hazael reigned in his stead. 

Now let me add some additional spiritual shackles to good 'ol Hazael.  I'm sure you noticd there are a few missing verses (11-13), I wanted to let the actual murder happen in verse so that you could see how conniving and deceitful Mr. Hazael ("I'm in a mist, I'm in a mist," a little nod to Watership Down) was when confronted.  Elisha prophesied that the king would recover but also stated that "...he [would] surely die."  Hazael, no doubt, was a bit shocked by this statement and wondered if Elisha might know of his murderous intent.   Elisha then started to weep, having seen the truth in Hazael's reaction (v.11).  This is where Hazael had to be quick on his toes in order to mask his surprise...

2 KINGS 8:12-13

12 And Hazael said, Why weepeth my lord? And he answered, Because I know the evil that thou wilt do unto the children of Israel: their strong holds wilt thou set on fire, and their young men wilt thou slay with the sword, and wilt dash their children, and rip up their women with child.  

13 And Hazael said, But what, is thy servant a dog, that he should do this great thing? And Elisha answered, The Lord hath shewed me that thou shalt be king over Syria. 

Hazael asked, with dramatic concern, why the prophet was distressed and was probably not prepared for Elisha's lurid response.  Back pedaling, Hazael sputtered a retort, "What, why? Am I a dog...why would I do such a thing?"  But Elisha stuck it to him, "...Thou shalt be king, that's why!"

At that point, Hazael had no more reason to continue the ruse and responded by shrugging his shoulders, maybe even pointed a finger at Elisha and winked as if to acknowledge his prophetic prowess, then, with a smirk on his face and excitement in his heart (after all, a man of God just told him he would be king), he simply departed.

Hazael was so full of himself and so locked on his endgame (the crown) that he couldn't see the spiritual noose tightening around his neck and though I'm sure he gave some credence to the man of God, he went ahead with his plan and cared not who knew (even God).

Wo be unto the foolish who mock God!  Benjamin Franklin said,

Tricks and treachery are the practice of fools,
that don't have brains enough to be honest.

Amen, brother Benji!!

~Kipling

Choice - Stripped Down by Lepers

Reading:   2 Kings 7:3-20

The way is not always clearly marked but there are some choices that make themselves known by a default of end result.  If the options equal a similar situation to that of the status quo or one of a less desirable result, then the best option is that which affects humanity in the least obtrusive manner; however, if there is an option that might elevate the situation, no matter how minuscule the possibility, that choice is, and must be, the best option!

In this chapter the Samarians are suffering from an intense famine.  There is no food anywhere and the poor, diseased, and sickly, have few options...

2 KINGS 7:3-4

3 And there were four leprous men at the entering in of the gate: and they said one to another, Why sit we here until we die? 

 4 If we say, We will enter into the city, then the famine is in the city, and we shall die there: and if we sit still here, we die also. Now therefore come, and let us fall unto the host of the Syrians: if they save us alive, we shall live; and if they kill us, we shall but die. 

The lepers had three options:

1)   Stay and die (no one brought food into the gate as everyone was suffering)
2)   Go into the city and die (no food inside to beg for either)
3)   Approach the enemy (they will either be killed or shown mercy)

Option three was the absolute best.  Yes, the probability rested with the enemy most likely killing the men but at least their suffering would not be drawn out, "...we shall but die."  Spoken as if it were a foregone conclusion but a quicker, more merciful, end to their miserable condition.  There was no choice, they had to act as they did and, as luck would have it, the odds paid dividends - quite high dividends!  The Samarian army had been spooked and left all there tents, provisions, and jewels where they stood, unguarded.  The lepers became wealthy men and ultimately ended the famine within the city by proclaiming the desertion of the enemy...Elisha's prophecy fulfilled (see yesterday's blog).

There is a "choice" quote (pun intended) I like from Michael J. Fox,

I have no choice about whether or not I have Parkinson's. I have nothing but choices about how I react to it. In those choices, there's freedom to do a lot of things in areas that I wouldn't have otherwise found myself in.

There are always going to be new and exciting issues, events, roadblocks, and problems and, more often than not, there will be little you can do directly but there will always be freedom in how you react and how others perceive your reaction - and it trickles down from there!

~Kipling

Windows in Heaven

Reading:   2 Kings 7:1-2

I only managed a couple of verses and reread them several times because my eyes refused to stay open.  Anyway, a couple of verses can be sufficient and amply feeds the soul with much more spiritual sustenance then an ignorant dosage of nothing.

Although the verses were a prophesy from Elisha of things to come on the following day, there was still a phrase that tickled my mind, "...if the Lord would make windows in heaven."

2 KINGS 7:2

2 Then a lord on whose hand the king leaned answered the man of God, and said, Behold, if the Lord would make windows in heaven, might this thing be? And he said, Behold, thou shalt see it with thine eyes, but shalt not eat thereof. 

I'm not going to spend time on the meaning of the verse as it wholly pertains to the realization of Elisha's prophecy; but, in regards to the "windows in heaven," I discovered a very applicable General Conference talk by James E. Faust entitled, Opening The Windows of Heaven (October 1998).  The talk is primarily concerned with the importance of tithing and how the windows in heaven will be opened to those who commit themselves to providing that which is God's portion.  I don't think it too far fetched to stretch this promise back to the days of Elisha and, on the flip side, see how the opposite might occur.  What I mean rests with the decided lack of faith and tithes being observed by the Samarian people and the subsequent famine which plagued them as a result.

Basically, the man hoped that there were windows in heaven so that the miracle of sustaining provisions might come to pass.  The windows were there and the miracle did come true but I am saying, if the Samarians were faithfully giving The Lord his due portion, the windows would have already been opened and the famine never realized.

Here is a cool little anecdote from Faust's talk...

 Sister Yaeko Seki experienced part of this precious promise. She writes: 

 "My family and I were spending a day at the Japan Alps National Park . . . . I was pregnant with our fourth child and was feeling rather tired, so I lay down under the trees. . . . I began thinking about our financial problems. My heart became overwhelmed, and I burst into tears. 'Lord, we are full-tithe payers. We have sacrificed so much. When will the windows of heaven open unto us and our burdens be lightened?' 

 "I prayed with all my heart. Then I turned to watch my husband and children playing and laughing together. . . . Suddenly, the Spirit testified to me that my blessings were abundant and that my family was the greatest blessing Heavenly Father could give me." ("The Windows of Heaven," Tambuli, Mar. 1992, 17) 

Had to slip that story in because it definitely makes a point about blessings and their many guises.  Look around and see the whole picture don't equate all blessings with financial or physical results.  Pay your tithing and the windows, which are already there, will be opened and blessings abundant.

~Kipling

They That Be With Us

Reading:   2 Kings 6

The unseen veil between mortality and the spirit world is always an exciting subject.  I have had occasion in my life where that visual barrier has been somewhat lifted and, as a result, my faith in God and the reality of a "bigger picture" has been cemented.  My book, Bouncer, deals with a lifting of the mortal veil and, although it is a fictional story, I can't help but embrace the reality of guardian angels and even spirits of a darker nature.  They do exist.  We cannot see them but they are there and as real as the sunrise.

Because of my experiences and personal belief, I found great excitement in this chapter and a rising of the neck hairs, if you will.  A war between Israel and Syria loomed and Elisha interceded a bit with some advice to the king of Israel.  This advice allowed the Israelites some ability to evade the grand army of Syria and therefore frustrated the king of Syria.  The king figured out Elisha's role and decided to squelch his advice by surrounding his dwellings with his vast army.  This maneuver greatly concerned the servants of Elisha as it appeared they would be overcome and destroyed; but Elisha had no worries whatever...

2 KINGS 6:15-17

15    And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do? 

16    And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. 

17    And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha. 

Did you feel it, the raising of the neck hairs?  Intense right?  The veil, the mortal blindness, was lifted from the young man and he could see the spiritual armies of God vastly outnumbering the army of Syria.  I am certain an army of warriors and countless chariots of fire are there for us as well.  Gordon B. Hinckley, a modern day prophet, testified of this truth also...

This Church, I submit, is far more than a social organization where we gather together to enjoy one another’s company. It is more than Sunday School and Relief Society and priesthood meeting. It is more than sacrament meeting, more even than temple service. It is the kingdom of God in the earth. It behooves us to act in a manner befitting membership in that kingdom. 

You men who hold the priesthood have such a tremendous responsibility. You must avoid the sultry siren voice of the world. You must rise above it. You must stand in the stature of the priesthood of God. You must eschew evil in all of its forms and take on the nature of goodness and decency, letting the light, the divine light, shine through your actions. 

There is no way that a home can be a place of refuge and peace if the man who resides there is not an understanding and helpful husband and father. The strength to be gained from our homes will make us better able to face the world, more acceptable to the society in which we move, more valuable to those who employ us—better men.

I know many such men. It is evident that they love their wives and their children. They are proud of them. And the marvelous thing is, they are tremendously successful in their chosen professions. They are magnified and honored and respected. 

And to you women. I spoke at length to the women of the Relief Society a week ago. That talk represented my heartfelt views concerning you. You too can take on the luster of Christ. You too can be strong and encouraging and beautiful and helpful. 

I remind all of us that we are Latter-day Saints. We have made covenants with our Heavenly Father, sacred and binding. Those covenants, if we keep them, will make us better fathers and mothers, better sons and daughters. 

I believe that others will rally around us if we will do so. We can stand for truth and goodness, and we will not stand alone. Moreover, we shall have the unseen forces of heaven to assist us. 

~An Ensign to the Nations, A Light to the World (General Conference, October 2003)

There it is.  A prophet of God councils us that "...we shall have the unseen forces of heaven to assist us."  Why then do we fear?  The armies of God are there for us if we but allow faith to work its power within our frightened, mortal, minds.

~Kipling

 

Transit Cum Onere

Reading:   2 Kings 5

Transit cum onere—It passes with this incumbrance

Today, as yesterday was quite lengthy, shall be short.  To seek wealth of any type, through deceit of any kind, shall not pass without burden.

Here, Elisha cured a wealthy man (Naaman) of leprosy.  Naaman offered a reward for the miracle and Elisha refused.  Naaman swore his allegiance to the God of Israel and humbly departed.  Now Elisha, like his mentor, Elijah, was never concerned with wealth or the needs of the future.  He cared only for the work of The Lord and had complete faith that The Lord would provide.  Elisha's servant, however, did not see a future in this way of thinking, despite all the miracles he had been a witness to.  So the servant, Gehazi, chased after Naaman and requested money and clothing under false pretenses.  Naaman willingly provided the desired items, pleased to assist, then continued on his way.  Gehazi hid up the treasures and retuned to his master.  Elisha immediately questioned him...

2 KINGS 5:26-27

26    And he said unto him, Went not mine heart with thee, when the man turned again from his chariot to meet thee? Is it a time to receive money, and to receive garments, and oliveyards, and vineyards, and sheep, and oxen, and menservants, and maidservants? 

27    The leprosy therefore of Naaman shall cleave unto thee, and unto thy seed for ever. And he went out from his presence a leper as white as snow. 

BOOM!  Walked out white as snow - Gehazi passed with his incumbrance...

~Kipling

Shunammite Lessons on Faith

Reading:   2 Kings 4

I wrote an extensive blog on this chapter.  I edited paragraphs time and again, rethought ideas over and over, and despite numerous rereads, I just couldn't find closure in what I was trying to convey.  So, I'm scratching it all and approaching my thoughts anew...

Faith is the first principle of power.  I have discussed this point often and believe it is my own personal mantra (of sorts), despite my somewhat lack of said faith.  I have no doubt in the power of the priesthood and have felt that power course through me in times of blessings.  I recently gave a blessing to a distraught individual who had just lost a parent and during that blessing there was no doubt that the deceased parent was in that room and speaking words of comfort through me.  That experience, and many many more, have given me a testimony, and a high level of faith, in regards to priesthood blessings.  Yet, other aspects of my life are greatly lacking in faith and need attention.

This chapter shed some light on the scale of faith; what beliefs are possible as opposed to those that are of a lesser strength.  The Shunammite woman (here on referred to as SW) was a very faithful woman who listened to the promptings of God and the true whisperings of her heart.  She acted on personal revelation and did not question why - just did...

2 KINGS 4:8-10

8 And it fell on a day, that Elisha passed to Shunem, where was a great woman; and she constrained him to eat bread. And so it was, that as oft as he passed by, he turned in thither to eat bread. 

9 And she said unto her husband, Behold now, I perceive that this is an holy man of God, which passeth by us continually. 

10 Let us make a little chamber, I pray thee, on the wall; and let us set for him there a bed, and a table, and a stool, and a candlestick: and it shall be, when he cometh to us, that he shall turn in thither. 

SW was a faithful, righteous woman, who did things as directed by the spirit - unselfishly - without question.  She had complete faith in this aspect of spirituality and yet, in other areas of faith, she was quite lacking.  Elisha wanted to bless SW for her kindness but, being the unselfish kind, she wanted for nothing and, though she appreciated his willingness to help, she respectfully declined.  After some discovery, Elisha came to understand that SW had no children and her husband was elderly.  He then knew how to bless her and discussed it with her.  Here is where an area of faith-lacking was exposed...

2 KINGS 4:16

16 And he said, About this season, according to the time of life, thou shalt embrace a son. And she said, Nay, my lord, thou man of God, do not lie unto thine handmaid. 

SW knew who Elisha was, even called him "...thou man of God," but still could not fathom such a miracle - she lacked the faith.  Still, it happened, she conceived and raised a child.  Now the tale could end there but it goes on and magnifies the scale of faith quite poignantly.  SW experienced an absolute change in the level of her faith.  She experienced a miracle and her level of faith in regards to miracles became as complete as her faith in regard to spiritual promptings and personal revelation.

Fast forward several years...her son, much older, sustained a head injury and died in SW's arms.  Here, now, we see the result of her increased, absolute, faith.  SW immediately laid her son on the bed she had prepared for Elisha and then sought the prophet of God with great haste.  She found him and, showing her increased faith, asked him for his assistance.

Elisha restored life to the child, hours, if not days, after his death occurred.  Upon the recovery of the boy, Elisha called in his servant...

2 KINGS 4:36-37

36 And he called Gehazi, and said, Call this Shunammite. So he called her. And when she was come in unto him, he said, Take up thy son. 

37 Then she went in, and fell at his feet, and bowed herself to the ground, and took up her son, and went out. 

What level of faith would prompt someone to believe that death was not the complete end - the utmost and SW had that faith!  I particularly like the end, "...took up her son, and went out." She accepted the miracle in stride and continued on.  She had no doubt that such a miracle was possible and was not overly astonished when it did occur.

Ultimately, the point here is to emphasize the idea that faith is not a singular spiritual entity.  There are many chambers of faith and each chamber needs focused attention.  I have faith in God and absolutely believe that He speaks through me when I'm giving a blessing.  My level faith in the practice of fasting, church attendance, personal prayer, these areas all need more focus in my life.  

I believe I am a faithful man but is my faith complete, no.  Several chambers in the heart if my faith need work and ever will!

I'm much happier with the blog now...quite pleased that I trashed the first, despite the labor.

~Kipling