Evil Produces Evil

STUDY: #867- CHURCH IN THE HOMES FROM: AUGUST 18 – 24, 2015

TOPIC: “Evil Produces Evil” 2 Kings 8: 7-15 Character is something that does NOT come with the person since birth, but gradually takes shape. Character is strongly affected by the environment, culture and society in which we live in, and are exposed to. It sets us apart from our peers, and is the result of social learning. It is related to the habits of each individual, and how they react to experiences. Character is not completely formed until the end of adolescence. You can also say that it is a combination of psychological aspects that are molded by education, through willpower and habits; and allow an individuals’ particular reaction to an experience. However, character is also intimately linked to temper. Temperament gathers the biological aspects of character, and is linked to the physiological process, and those genetic factors that influence social behavior. So we act according to how we have lived. BUT WE HAVE BELIEVED, AND JESUS HAS TRANSFORMED US. THEREFORE, HE WANTS US TO LIVE ACCORDING TO HIS COMMANDMENTS AND TEACHINGS. Elisha was a prophet. The holy character of that man of God was known. His love, and service to the people was known. He was totally, and absolutely devoted to living the things of God. The prophet Elisha had no selfish ambition, he did not seek his own. He was not interested in obtaining power and greatness; for this reason he was able to serve others. On the other hand, there was Hazael or Jasael who was an ambitious man, and he only sought for himself. Hazael’s character was formed and molded according to what had surrounded his life. Secretly, his life had been full of intrigue, hatred, and cunningness to achieve a specific goal: BE KING OF SYRIA. He lived planning, secretly preparing, and scheming on how to obtain the kingdom. Hazael was the total opposite of the prophet Elisha. He was not into service. There was no love or servitude in him. There was only a great ambition to deploy his evilness, hatred and envy. He wanted to be seen as great because he saw all those who surrounded him as nothing. The Bible says that Elisha headed towards Damascus, the capital of Syria. Prior to this, God had told Elijah to anoint Hazael as king of Syria. (I Kings 19:15 "And the Lord said to him, ‘Go, back the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you get there, anoint Hazael king over Aram.’") His anointing as king of Syria was due to Israel sinning against God. And Hazael would have to execute God's punishment on the nation. Hazael was never anointed with oil. However, the order that Elijah had received to anoint Hazael was carried out by the prophet Elisha, his successor. This happened when Elisha left for Damascus. No matter what the purpose of his trip was, God is the only one that guides his people. How was his anointing? It wasn’t with oil. More than an anointing or separation, Hazael received the chilling words of the prophet Elisha, which addressed his ambitious nature, and his perverse desire for greatness. Elisha had been directed to Damascus by the Spirit of God. As word spread throughout Syria of the prophet’s arrival, King Ben-Hadad who was very ill, sent him to ask Elisha about the outcome of his illness. The king acted according to the pagan practice of consulting with their fortunetellers, and sent Elisha a good gift as payment for his service. The gift or present must consist of the country’s most rare and valuable products; it should have been liberal and magnificent. The king of Syria wanted to know if he would live. Elisha sends him the message, "Surely you recover." (Vs. 10). That was the prophet’s answer to King BenHadad. The rest of the prophet’s words were intended for Hazael, the absolute and ambitious courtier whom the king had sent. “Elisha answered, “Go and say to him, ‘You will certainly recover’. Nevertheless, the Lord has revealed to me that he will in fact die." (2 Kings 8:10) "He stared at him with a fixed

gaze until Hazael was embarrassed. Then the man of God began to weep." (2 Kings 8:11) Elisha stared at Hazael until he blushed. The prophet cried when God let him see all the evil that would befall Israel in the hands of the man before him. There would be punishment for Israel through the hands of Hazael. In order to do so, Hazael had to be of an evil character. He had to be a dirty glass, because God would never choose a clean glass to carry out evil. Elisha stared at Hazael until he felt shame. The prophet’s firm, and penetrating gaze seems to have convinced Hazael that his secret purposes were known. Elisha’s profound emotions were justified by the atrocities that this usurper was to carry out in Israel ("... you will set fire to their fortified places, kill their young men with the sword, dash their little children to the ground, and rip open their pregnant women." (2 Kings 8:12). The next day, Hazael after a sleepless night for he was plotting what to do; he took a cloth (a bedspread, a thick blanket of wool or cotton heavy weight) which when wet he used as a fatal instrument for his murderous purpose, without leaving traces of violence (2 Kings 8:15 "But the next day he took a thick cloth, soaked it in water, and spread it over the king’s face, so that he died. Then Hazael succeeded him as king."). The wickedness in Hazael, which God had revealed to the prophet Elisha, was so great we cannot think that he had any good intentions with that wet cloth, like use for a fever that the king may have had. The sudden death of the king and his immediate burial were favorable to the evil Hazael; for his rapid accession to the throne. The evil character that had already forged within Hazael led him to commit such great wickedness. Later on, that man continued his wickedness wherever he went, as Elisha prophesied. EVIL PRODUCES EVIL! Let this be a reason for us to guard and care, with all our efforts; our path and character so that we may live in justice, righteousness, and love; every day of our lives. No evilness. Let us walk as Jesus walked! In total dedication to our Lord and Savior, and with the help of the beloved Holy Spirit we will. Amen.