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2 Kings 13:14-19

[14] When Elisha became sick with the illness of which he was to die, Joash the king of Israel came down to him and wept over him and said, “My father, my father, the chariots of Israel and its horsemen!” [15] Elisha said to him, “Take a bow and arrows.” So he took a bow and arrows. [16] Then he said to the king of Israel, “Put your hand on the bow.” And he put his hand on it, then Elisha laid his hands on the king’s hands. [17] He said, “Open the window toward the east,” and he opened it. Then Elisha said, “Shoot!” And he shot. And he said, “The Lord’s arrow of victory, even the arrow of victory over Aram; for you will defeat the Arameans at Aphek until you have destroyed them.” [18] Then he said, “Take the arrows,” and he took them. And he said to the king of Israel, “Strike the ground,” and he struck it three times and stopped. [19] So the man of God was angry with him and said, “You should have struck five or six times, then you would have struck Aram until you would have destroyed it. But now you shall strike Aram only three times.”

Notes:

1. The Impact of Symbols and Substance:

            “My father, my father, the chariots of Israel and the its horsemen” (14).

2. The Importance of Opportunity:

         “He struck the ground three times and quit” (18).

3. The Imperative to Continue:

         “You should have struck five or six times” (19).

4. The Influence from Others:

         “Elisha laid his hands on the kings hands” (16).

What can we learn?

            1. The power of influence can be good or bad, but here the good influence was ignored.

            2. We are a human instrument in divine hands, therefore, yield yourself to divine guidance!

            3. When we “keep shooting” we encourage others to do so also.

            4. Joash only won three more battles and failed to defeat Syria completely—Keep shooting—don’t quit—win and never stop. Your effort with God’s hand upon you will susceed every time.