Lesson 1: Come Humbly

9 Then the king sent to him a captain of fifty men with his fifty. He went up to Elijah, who was sitting on the top of a hill, and said to him, “O man of God, the king says, ‘Come down.’” 10 But Elijah answered the captain of fifty, “If I am a man of God, let fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty.” Then fire came down from heaven and consumed him and his fifty.

11 Again the king sent to him another captain of fifty men with his fifty. And he answered and said to him, “O man of God, this is the king's order, ‘Come down quickly!’” 12 But Elijah answered them, “If I am a man of God, let fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty.” Then the fire of God came down from heaven and consumed him and his fifty.

13 Again the king sent the captain of a third fifty with his fifty. And the third captain of fifty went up and came and fell on his knees before Elijah and entreated him, “O man of God, please let my life, and the life of these fifty servants of yours, be precious in your sight. 14 Behold, fire came down from heaven and consumed the two former captains of fifty men with their fifties, but now let my life be precious in your sight.”15 Then the angel of the Lord said to Elijah, “Go down with him; do not be afraid of him.” So he arose and went down with him to the king 16 and said to him, “Thus says the Lord, ‘Because you have sent messengers to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron—is it because there is no God in Israel to inquire of his word?—therefore you shall not come down from the bed to which you have gone up, but you shall surely die.’” (II Kings 1)

The book of Second Kings is full of historical lessons, learned often by those who should have known better.  Ahaziah has just watched wicked King Ahab die for his refusal to accept God as King. When he himself falls on hard times (and a lattice), he foolishly sends messengers to entreat a pagan idol instead of God. When he finally does, he does do so in an arrogant fashion, as if to bully Elijah into giving him good news.  Elijah, and God, are not impressed.  Finally, the king's men get the message and come humbly.  But Ahaziah still is not humble.  Before all else, we need to come humbly before Holy God.  We will never get anywhere else if we do not.  He is Holy. He is worthy of our worship. And, He is waiting to hear from us when we are finally done turning everywhere else.