The revolt of Moab-Sickness of Ahaziah, king of Israel. (1-8)
Fire called from heaven by Elijah-Death of Ahaziah. (9-18)
Verses 1-8: When Ahaziah rebelled against the Lord, Moab revolted from
him. Sin weakens and impoverishes us. Man's revolt from God is
often punished by the rebellion of those who owe subjection to
him. Ahaziah fell through a lattice, or railing. Wherever we go,
there is but a step between us and death. A man's house is his
castle, but not to secure him against God's judgments. The whole
creation, which groans under the burden of man's sin, will, at
length, sink and break under the weight like this lattice. He is
never safe that has God for his enemy. Those that will not
inquire of the word of God for their comfort, shall hear it to
their terror, whether they will or no.
Verses 9-18: Elijah called for fire from heaven, to consume the
haughty, daring sinners; not to secure himself, but to prove his
mission, and to reveal the wrath of God from heaven, against the
ungodliness and unrighteousness of men. Elijah did this by a
Divine impulse, yet our Saviour would not allow the disciples to
do the like, (Lu 9:54). The dispensation of the Spirit and of
grace by no means allowed it. Elijah was concerned for God's
glory, those for their own reputation. The Lord judges men's
practices by their principles, and his judgment is according to
truth. The third captain humbled himself, and cast himself upon
the mercy of God and Elijah. There is nothing to be got by
contending with God; and those are wise for themselves, who
learn submission from the fatal end of obstinacy in others. The
courage of faith has often struck terror into the heart of the
proudest sinner. So thunderstruck is Ahaziah with the prophet's
words, that neither he, nor any about him, offer him violence.
Who can harm those whom God shelters? Many who think to prosper
in sin, are called hence like Ahaziah, when they do not expect
it. All warns us to seek the Lord while he may be found.
