READING FOR NOVEMBER 17, 2025: 2 KINGS 6, 1 PETER 5, PSALM 119:33-40 2 KINGS 6 It appears that the Elisha was living with a group of men called the “sons of pro- phets.” These could have been young men in training to become prophets. Apparently, enroll- ment was growing because their living facilities became too cramped for them. At Christian colleges this is always good news and cause for the building of a new dormitory. Elisha responded to this need and agreed to go with the men to build a new campus near the Jordan River. While cutting down trees, an axe head fell into the water. It was a borrowed axe, and its loss was a great concern to the young man who lost it. Elisha simply threw a stick in the water near where it had sunk, and the axe head floated up to the surface. Maybe this was not such a dramatic miracle, but it had real practical value to one young man. Some people routinely ask for the Lord’s help when they misplace keys or important documents. Might this passage give us encouragement to ask God for such practical assistance?
Although Elisha had recently helped the King of Aram’s army commander, Naaman, Aram’s king now determined to war with Israel. Can we ultimately depend upon nonbelievers to follow the golden rule? No. That’s why God told us not to form lasting partnerships with them (2 Cor. 6:14). This king told his advisors where Aram planned to camp. Elisha promptly informed the King of Israel to avoid this area. The King of Aram wondered who was leaking this information. In response and quite humorously, his servant said Elisha tells Israel’s king what the King of Aram says in his bedroom. Thus, they tried to capture Elisha by surrounding him and his students at Dothan. Being a prophet then or speaking God’s truth from the Bible today doesn’t make one universally popular.
When Elisha’s new assistant saw this besiegement, he became afraid. Elisha then prayed that God would allow him to see the larger reality, including the forces of God. Elisha made this famous declaration that we also can claim: “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are greater than those who are with them” (vs. 16). Elisha asked the Lord to strike his enemies with blindness. Then he led his sightless enemies directly to the King of Israel. Instead of slaying them, Elisha advised the King to feed them and send them home. This ended one dangerous episode.
Although the Lord might provide us with great victory, our enemies are persistent, often attacking when we are weakest. King Ben-hadad of Aram besieged Samara during a time of famine. Proving the law of supply of demand, this drove up prices to unattainable levels. In fact, cannibalism resulted. The King of Israel, understandably distraught, blamed Elisha and sought to behead him. A curious question hangs in the air at the end of this chapter: “Behold, this evil is from the Lord; why should I wait for the Lord any longer?” (vs. 33). To be continued.
1 PETER 5 The first four verses are directed to the ruling elders. Peter tells them to exercise
READING FOR NOVEMBER 17, 2025 CONTINUED: 1 PETER 5, PSALM 119:33-40 oversight willingly, not begrudgingly. Yet, elder leadership needs to model Christian character, not prideful authoritarianism. The reward for this work will be given when Christ returns. Younger men are to submit to the elders’ leadership and intentionally practice humility. A good reminder for all of us is that God, Himself, opposes those who are proud. He will exalt only the humble and only in His time. Much of Peter’s letter assumes readers accept that this earthly life is not the end of the story. Unless there is a heavenly life after this life on earth, Peter’s admonitions would not seem fair to obedient believers. God is more than fair to us!
Verse seven evokes an image of throwing our internal worries of the present and future on Christ. In fact, that would be an excellent mental picture to contemplate. Worried about health, relationships, or the elections? Envision taking each item and mentally throwing it away to Jesus, our divine anxiety-disposer. He will handle each one for us. That’s the good news; the bad news is that we have an enemy, the devil, who is like a roaring lion. But the best news is that God is stronger. We can resist if we stand firm in our faith. Here again, Peter’s counsel resembles James. As we humble ourselves under God (vs. 6), we can resist the devil (vs. 9) in the strength of God (vs. 10). Note in verse 13, Peter mentions an especially close relationship with Mark. Many New Testament scholars believe that the Gospel of Mark represents Peter’s eyewitness account of Jesus’s life as conveyed to Mark. A great team.
PSALM 119:33-40 As with the previous section of this chapter, the Psalmist asks God to teach him His word so that he could obey it and even delight in it. This brings to mind the teaching ministry of God the Spirit who indwells each Christian today. John 14:26 states, “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things.” Jesus says this in John 15:25: “When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—he will testify about me.” Then again in John 16:12-15: “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you.” Thus, when we read the Bible, we can truly be taught by God, Himself, when we read it in the power of the Holy Spirit: “The sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Eph.6:17). These verses also show what Spirit-illumined Bible reading helps avoid: selfishness, worthless things, and disgrace. O how we need the Spirit and Bible constantly to give our few days on earth purpose. May we fully heed these essential resources as we study the Bible together.
