Exploring the Love of God in the Miracles and Prophecies of 2 Kings

The Book of 2 Kings is a historical account of the kings of Israel and Judah, from the reign of Ahaziah to the exile of Judah. It records the rise and fall of kingdoms, the conflicts and alliances with other nations, the prophetic ministries of Elijah and Elisha, and the miracles and judgments of God. In this book, we can also discover some of the attributes and characteristics of God, who is sovereign, faithful, righteous, merciful, and holy. In this article, we will explore some of these aspects of God’s nature, and how they are revealed in the Book of 2 Kings. We will also see how the love of God is manifested in His dealings with His people, and how we can respond to His love.

Some of God’s Attributes and Characteristics in the Book of 2 Kings

• Sovereign: God is the supreme ruler of all creation, and He has the power and authority to accomplish His purposes. He controls the events of history, and He raises up and brings down kings and nations according to His will. He also intervenes in the lives of individuals, and performs signs and wonders to demonstrate His sovereignty. Some examples of God’s sovereignty in the Book of 2 Kings are:
  • He sent fire from heaven to consume the sacrifices of Elijah and the prophets of Baal (1:10-12).
  • He caused the iron axe head to float on the water for Elisha (6:5-7).
  • He blinded the army of Aram and led them to Samaria (6:18-20).
  • He delivered Jerusalem from the siege of Sennacherib, the king of Assyria, by sending an angel to kill 185,000 of his soldiers (19:35-36).
  • He extended the life of Hezekiah, the king of Judah, by 15 years, and gave him a sign by making the shadow go back ten steps on the sundial (20:1-11).
• Faithful: God is true to His promises, and He keeps His covenant with His people. He does not change His mind, nor does He forget His word. He is loyal and steadfast in His love and grace. He also expects His people to be faithful to Him, and to obey His commands. Some examples of God’s faithfulness in the Book of 2 Kings are:
  • He preserved a remnant of Israel and Judah, despite their sins and idolatry, because of His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (13:23; 17:18-20; 19:30-31).
  • He fulfilled the prophecies of Elijah and Elisha, such as the death of Jezebel (9:30-37), the anointing of Jehu (9:1-10), the end of the famine in Samaria (7:1-20), and the restoration of the Shunammite woman’s son (8:1-6).
  • He showed mercy to Hezekiah, and heard his prayer for healing and deliverance (20:1-6; 19:14-20).
  • He honored the reforms of Josiah, the king of Judah, and delayed His wrath on Judah until after his death (22:1-23:30).
• Righteous: God is just and fair in His judgments, and He rewards or punishes people according to their deeds. He hates sin and evil, and He does not tolerate wickedness and oppression. He also calls His people to do what is right and good, and to seek justice and mercy. Some examples of God’s righteousness in the Book of 2 Kings are:
  • He executed His wrath on the house of Ahab, and wiped out his descendants, because of his idolatry and murder (9:6-10:36).
  • He allowed the Assyrians to capture and exile the northern kingdom of Israel, because of their persistent rebellion and idolatry (17:1-23).
  • He brought disaster on the kings of Judah who did evil in His sight, such as Ahaz (16:1-20), Manasseh (21:1-18), and Jehoiakim (23:36-24:7).
  • He spared the kings of Judah who did what was right in His sight, such as Joash (12:1-21), Hezekiah (18:1-20:21), and Josiah (22:1-23:30).
• Merciful: God is compassionate and gracious, and He forgives and heals those who repent and turn to Him. He is slow to anger, and abounding in love. He also shows kindness and generosity to those who are in need, and He provides for their welfare. Some examples of God’s mercy in the Book of 2 Kings are:
  • He healed Naaman, the commander of the army of Aram, of his leprosy, when he obeyed the instructions of Elisha (5:1-19).
  • He restored the life of the widow’s son, who died of an illness, when Elijah prayed for him (4:18-37).
  • He forgave Manasseh, the king of Judah, who repented of his sins, when he was in distress (21:10-19).
  • He showed favor to Jehoiachin, the king of Judah, who was released from prison by the king of Babylon, and given a seat of honor (25:27-30).
• Holy: God is perfect and pure, and He is set apart from all that is sinful and defiled. He is the source of all holiness, and He dwells in unapproachable light. He also requires His people to be holy, and to worship Him in spirit and truth. Some examples of God’s holiness in the Book of 2 Kings are:
  • He manifested His presence and glory in the temple of Solomon, and filled it with a cloud (8:10-11).
  • He consumed the offerings of Elijah and the prophets of Baal with fire, and proved that He is the true God (1:10-12).
  • He sent leprosy on Gehazi, the servant of Elisha, who lied and coveted the gifts of Naaman (5:20-27).
  • He destroyed the idols and altars that were set up in the temple and in the land of Judah, by the kings who did evil in His sight (18:4; 23:4-20).

Conclusion

The Book of 2 Kings reveals some of the attributes and characteristics of God, who is sovereign, faithful, righteous, merciful, and holy. He is the God who rules over history, who keeps His promises, who judges sin, who forgives repentance, and who demands holiness. He is also the God who loves His people, and who shows His love in various ways, such as by delivering them from their enemies, by healing them of their diseases, by restoring them from their losses, by sparing them from His wrath, and by giving them hope for the future. The love of God is the ultimate expression of His nature, and the ultimate reason for His actions. How should we respond to His love? We should love Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and we should love our neighbor as ourselves. We should also obey His commands, and walk in His ways. We should trust Him, and seek Him with all our being. We should praise Him, and worship Him in spirit and truth. We should also share His love with others, and invite them to know Him as their Lord and Savior. This is the essence of the Book of 2 Kings, and the essence of the Christian life. May God help us to live according to His word, and to experience His love in our lives. Amen.