The Crisis the Samaria

In this part of the sermon: Martin introduces the sermon by reading 2 Kings 6:24-31 and setting the historical and theological context, drawing on Edersheim's commentary to emphasize Elisha's role and God's…

Martin quotes Edersheim to provide historical and theological context for Elisha's ministry and the non-chronological arrangement of events in 2 Kings, emphasizing the prophetic standpoint.

As we return this evening to our studies in the life and ministry of this towering figure among the prophets, the man of God, Elisha, it should be our desire to have a feel, as it were, for this whole general context in which the life and ministry of the man of God are recorded for us. And since it has been some weeks since we studied, in this aspect or this segment of the word of God, I think the best and quickest way to give you a feel for the portion that has been read in your hearing is simply to read several paragraphs from the excellent commentary of Edersheim on the Old Testament, and s...

2:12 - 3:36 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Martin details the horrific consequences of the famine, including the exorbitant prices for unclean and inedible food, and the gruesome account of two women resorting to…

Martin recounts visiting a hog rendering shop where 'everything is used but the squeal,' to illustrate how little edible substance comes from an animal's head, emphasizing the extreme desperation of selling an ass's head for food.

Now an ass or a donkey was a very necessary commodity for the life of any middle eastern city, for the life of any middle eastern city, any middle eastern economy. It was a beast of burden. It was that animal that bore the brunt of transporting goods from one place to another. And a man would not kill his donkey his ass upon any light occasion. Furthermore, according to the Levitical stipulations, it was an unclean animal. And if you know anything about what happens to animals that are rendered at a butcher shop, you get the least amount of edible substance from the head of that animal. I was ...

14:21 - 15:28 Read in full sermon

Driving home: You talk about moral and spiritual insanity here it is.

Martin references Ahab's accusation of Elijah as 'troubler of Israel' during a famine, drawing a parallel to King Jehoram's desire to kill Elisha, highlighting the pattern of wicked kings blaming God's prophets for national woes.

Now there's only one way to make sense of that and that is to assume that Elisha as every true prophet was calling the people back to the terms of the covenant of God. The prophet was denounced in departure and declension from Jehovah and his law. And this man Jehoram shows himself to be the son of his father Ahab. For you'll remember in 1 Kings what happened when the nation was also on that occasion under the grip of a frightening famine and it was a famine you'll remember brought about by God through the prediction of Elijah the man of God who said there shall be no rain nor dew but a cold a...

37:00 - 38:28 Read in full sermon

Driving home: You talk about moral and spiritual insanity here it is.

Martin cites Jezebel's oath to kill Elijah, showing how Jehoram's words against Elisha echo the same murderous intent against God's representatives.

Now there's only one way to make sense of that and that is to assume that Elisha as every true prophet was calling the people back to the terms of the covenant of God. The prophet was denounced in departure and declension from Jehovah and his law. And this man Jehoram shows himself to be the son of his father Ahab. For you'll remember in 1 Kings what happened when the nation was also on that occasion under the grip of a frightening famine and it was a famine you'll remember brought about by God through the prediction of Elijah the man of God who said there shall be no rain nor dew but a cold a...

37:00 - 38:28 Read in full sermon

The point: Beware of a humanistic interpretation of national calamities and crises, recognizing that God's moral government applies to all nations and sin is a reproach to any people.

Martin draws an analogy between the crisis in Samaria and contemporary national issues (Iran embassy, pornography, economy, homosexuality, Afghanistan invasion, evolution in schools), arguing that these are linked to national sin, not just humanistic causes.

and here we have illustrated in the passage tonight one of those principles in the midst of a national crisis here is a king who looks upon that crisis with a pseudo religious perspective but ultimately a humanistic anti-God perspective if we can only rid ourselves of this troubler who is telling us that the cause of our calamity is our sin then things will work out we had a little bad luck with our crops we had a few unwise military moves but if we can just get rid of the whole idea that it has to do with vertical realities then we can get our minds down to the real business at hand oh my dea...

43:24 - 44:52 Read in full sermon

The point: Beware of the false prescriptions for deliverance given by unspiritual men with a smattering of external religion, as outward signs of repentance without inward change are insufficient.

Martin discusses the danger of leaders giving 'lip service to Christianity' without bold action, using President Carter as an example, longing for a leader who would publicly link national woes to sin and call for repentance on issues like abortion.

is a false position of our ills second warning that I see is the abiding message of this passage is this I've already hinted at it beware of the false prescriptions for deliverance given by unspiritual men with a smattering of external religion oh look at the king he's on the wall with his garments rent and his hair shirt showing oh isn't it wonderful to have a king who seeks the Lord's help in a crisis that very king says with his next breath let's take the head of the prophet and that he was serious about it is evident from the subsequent context because Elisha as we shall see is gathered wi...

47:48 - 49:16 Read in full sermon