2008.06.20. A poor Trade. 2Kings 5:25-27

2Ki 5:25 He went in and stood before his master, and Elisha said to him, "Where have you been, Gehazi?" And he said, "Your servant went nowhere."
2Ki 5:26 But he said to him, "Did not my heart go when the man turned from his chariot to meet you? Was it a time to accept money and garments, olive orchards and vineyards, sheep and oxen, male servants and female servants?
2Ki 5:27 Therefore the leprosy of Naaman shall cling to you and to your descendants forever." So he went out from his presence a leper, like snow.

A bad trade. Gehazi went after riches and forfieted his well being. It's not clear whether he traded his soul, but it might as well be. He left the presence of his master (who is filled with the spirit of God) for riches that he thought he could hide from him. And the leprosy not only affected him but his descendants forever. That is a poor trade.

I believe I can make these bad trades all the time. They may be subtle or may be blatantly obvious but I choose to induldge the less valuable (toys, arguments, self-righteousness) for His greatness and glory.

Father, would you help me to weigh the importance of your kingdom and consider what I need to be a part of. For your glory is more important than anything I could ever come up with or try and get away with. Amen.

2008.06.13. Don’t vary from your calling. 1 Kings 13:17-19.

God told the prophet that he must not eat or drink in the land, but the old prophet lied and told him that an angel said that he must bring him home and give him something to eat and drink. So they went back together, and the man of God ate and drank at the prophet’s home.

I’m not sure what must have been going through the mind of the prophet when he hears this word from this older prophet. He was a man of God too. It’s not even clear why the old guy wanted to have him eat at his house. I doesn’t seem like it would be a great advantage for the people or himself anyway. But regardless he lies to the visitor. And yet the visitor doesn’t question him and goes to eat and drink at his word.

It is interesting because from yesterday’s words (2kings12:8) it is important to head the advice of wise counsel. And this old prophet should be wise. Yet God’s words were pretty clear to the prophet not to eat or drink. Perhaps in the previous example the next steps were a little ambiguous and so the king needed to seek out after advice or counsel. But in the case of this prophet his direction was clear and didn’t need further clarification. And thus should have not received the words of the old prophet and continued in the path that God had given him.

Dear God give me your words to follow clearly. Help me to have your wisdom to discern when I should seek after the counsel of Godly men and when I need to trust the calling or direction that you have already given even if appearing Godly men have good things to say. For there are many that appear to have good even godly ways, but if it is not from you what good is it. Father would you provide your protection that I may remain fully in you. Amen.