The title is I will hit the five rooks.
Content Title: I will hit the five poles
Bible: 2 Kings 13:14-19
Even though his death was imminent, Elisha did not overlook the danger of his country and did his best to give King Joash and Israel courage in God. Elisha faithfully performed the role of ‘Israel’s chariots and horsemen’ until the very end. Despite the evil deeds committed by the northern kingdom of Israel, Elisha had compassion on them with a heart like God. I hope that you will carry out the mission entrusted to us through today's text to the end just like Elisha, and be born again with a broader heart than now that you love the country, the church, and the people.
First: there is an end.
“When Elisha became ill with death, Joash king of Israel came down to him and wept tears on his face, saying, “My father, my father, Israel’s chariots and horsemen” (verse 14). Elisha's illness is presumed to be due to old age. King Joash's visit to Elisha in Samaria is a sign of respect and thoughtful consideration for the king's prophet. The king wept and said to Elisha, 'My Father. O my father, chariots and horsemen of Israel.' It means that Elisha's spiritual authority was placed in the highest position in Israel at the time. Joash's tears were filled with fear and fear in the wilderness that God's power might leave Israel. It expresses the despair and fear of the abandoned.
Second: There is salvation.
“Elisha said to him, “Bring me the bow and arrows.” So he brought the bows and arrows to him, and he said to the king of Israel, “Take the bow in your hand.” And he took it with his hand, and Elisha laid his hand on the king's hand. Then he said, "Open the spear to the east." Immediately Elisha said, "Shoot." Immediately he shot, and Elisha said, "This is an arrow of salvation for the LORD, an arrow of salvation against Syria. I will strike at Aphek so that the king may destroy the Syrians." 15-17)
Elisha repeatedly commands King Joash to bring the bow and arrows, hold the arrows, open the east spear, and shoot arrows. This arrow is the arrow of salvation. It symbolizes Jehovah's deliverance of Israel from Syrian oppression. Specifically, it refers to the victory that will be gained in the battle against Syria. Joash's action in relation to the arrow is that salvation in times of suffering comes only from God. God's salvation is accomplished through the instrument of man.
third ; I have a mission.
“Then he said, ‘Take up the arrows, and immediately pick them up. And Elisha said to the king of Israel, ‘Strike the ground!’ And he struck three times and stopped. I will strike them to an end. So now the king will attack Syria only three times.” (verses 18-19) When Elisha told King Joash to pick up arrows and strike the ground, King Joash struck only three times. He was angry that he did not strike five or six times against Joash, and Joash lacked faith in the Lord and a burning zeal to completely annihilate Syria.