#172: Fame among the Faithless
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Elisha had become sick with the illness of which he would die. Then Joash the king of Israel came down to him, and wept over his face, and said, “O my father, my father, the chariots of Israel and their horsemen!”
II Kings 9:14 NKJV
Shortly before Jesus was crucified, Pilate realized Jesus was from Galilee and sent for Herod who was ruler of that region and in Jerusalem for business that night. Luke 23:8 tells us Herod “was exceedingly glad; for he had desired for a long time to see Him…and hoped to see some miracle done by Him.” Jesus did not provide answers to Herod at which point Herod and his soldiers treated Jesus with contempt and mocked Him. It is not uncommon for those who have great fame to be sought out by those who have no faith. The world loves to be among the famous.
In the final account of Elisha’s ministry, Joash the king of Israel went to see Elisha. We know only a little of King Joash but what we know is not good and summed up like this:
And he did evil in the sight of the Lord. He did not depart from all the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel sin, but walked in them.
II Kings 13:11 NKJV
When Joash visited Elisha it seems he went hoping for some help from Elisha in fighting against Israel’s long-time enemy, the Syrians. While some have suggested Elisha’s ministry diminished after Jehu’s anointing, we do not see that in the close of Elisha’s life but quite the opposite – Elisha’s fame was great in Israel! Even Elisha’s words at the ascension of Elijah were known to Joash sixty years after they were said. Nevertheless they did not mean the same things to Joash as they did to Elisha when he spoke them. While Elisha had been a nurturing father to Israel they had rejected the message and God of Elisha and instead worshipped the golden calfs set up by Jeroboam many years before.
For Joash, the chariots of Israel and their horsemen was limited to the immediate context of military strength. Israel was down to just fifty horsemen and ten chariots (13:7) but while Elisha lived and ministered, the Lord limited the military setbacks against Israel. During Elisha’s lifetime the greatest military achievements in Israel’s history were achieved and Elisha played a major role, even capturing an entire Syrian army in Dothan. With Elisha gone, who would Joash turn to for help. So with real tears but without faith, Joash cried out at seeing Elisha near the end of his life.
Proximity to famous ministers of the gospel is of little benefit to the soul if the Christ who is proclaimed by the minister is not believed in. Elisha’s ministry demonstrates that reality throughout with king after king being near him, hearing the Word, seeing great wonders, and continuing to serve idols. Elisha’s own servant Ghazi heard and saw the wonders of the Lord through Elisha and yet did not believe. Anyone who hopes for good to come because of their connection to the famous will find themselves quite disappointed in the end.
Let us not be content to know of Elisha in these chapters of Scripture. Let us not be content to know of Christ and His glory in the Scripture. There are many in that great day who may say Lord Lord did not we know these famous prophets of old and He will tell them to depart from Him. Instead, take hold of Christ by faith that you may know Him and be found in Him, trusting in Christ alone for salvation.
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