| Sometimes it is easy to fall into “story mode” when reading the book of Kings, as if the accounts are somehow disconnected from the rest of history, which can be investigated through other texts and archaeology. But this is proven spectacularly wrong when we arrive at 2 Kings 3, and we are introduced to Mesha, king of Moab, whose name is inscribed in a black basalt obelisk from the 9th century BC, which resides in the Lourve. The “Mesha Stele” or “Moabite Stone” is a memorial of Mesha’s victories over King Omri of Israel (1 Kings 16:16-28), and his son, who had been oppressing Moab. It contains references to Moab’s god, Chemosh, and Israel’s God, Yahweh. It also arguably contains references to King David, whose name is only otherwise found in an inscription called the “Tel Dan Stele“. The conclusion is that in Kings we are dealing with accounts of historical events – and that God himself is at work in the history of this world. |  |
Featured Talks
)
God's Mercy
This week in the mornings we start a three-week series on the topic of Mercy. We probably have a gut-feeling about what mercy is, and we can recognise someone being merciful - but how do we define it? In the Bible mercy ...)
Kings in Spades
Over the next few months in the evenings, we'll be looking at the Old Testament books of 1 & 2 Kings. As you might expect, these books are filled with historical accounts of the reigns of all the kings of Israel and ...)
Faith or Flight?
One of the great tensions of the Christian life is fear vs faith. Many things give us grounds for fear, including personal circumstances, global politics, health pandemics, and economic downturns. At the same time, God's word gives us grounds for faith - ...)
We can be Heroes?
What is your definition of a hero? In a recent SMH article, the top five most unlikely Australian sporting heroes were unveiled. Of course, topping the list was poor Steven Bradbury, who medalled after everyone in front of him fell over on ...Reality Check
Posted in Kings.
– Aug 17, 2010
Chariots of Fire
 |
When I worked in I.T., we had the hit-by-a-bus principle: everyone needs a transition plan, so the next guy can pick up where you left off – should you step out to lunch and get swatted by the 545 to Parramatta. The transition from one Prophet of the Lord to the next is no less vital (2 Kings 2), and no less problematic. This is the finale to Elijah’s career, and he goes out in a literal blaze of glory as a fiery chariot carries him off to heaven. But his departure signals to Elisha that the training wheels are off, which leaves him distraught and insecure about his capacity to continue the prophetic ministry. It reminds us of the difficult transition from the ministry of Jesus to that of the Apostles, and the heavenly fire that invigorated them. It also invites us to stop mourning the glory days of past ministry, and to get on running the race for ourselves, strains of Chariots of Fire in our ears. |
Posted in Kings.
– Aug 12, 2010
