2 Kings 13:10-14: a reflection

10In the thirty-seventh year of Joash king of Judah, Jehoash the son of Jehoahaz began to reign over Israel in Samaria for sixteen years. 11He did that which was evil in the LORD’s sight. He didn’t depart from all the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, with which he made Israel to sin; but he walked in them. 12Now the rest of the acts of Joash, and all that he did, and his might with which he fought against Amaziah king of Judah, aren’t they written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel? 13Joash slept with his fathers; and Jeroboam sat on his throne. Joash was buried in Samaria with the kings of Israel. 14Now Elisha became sick with the illness of which he died; and Joash the king of Israel came down to him, and wept over him, and said, “My father, my father, the chariots of Israel and its horsemen!”

When the prophet Elisha lies dying, King Joash of Israel comes down to him and weeps over him, crying, My father, my father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen! It is a moving scene, the king grieving over the great man of God, honoring him, weeping at his passing. And yet, the same passage tells us plainly that Joash did what was evil in the LORD's sight and did not turn from the sins that led Israel astray. He honored and wept for the prophet, but he did not follow the prophet's God.

Notice the disconnect. Joash clearly valued Elisha; he was moved to tears at his death, spoke of him with reverence, recognized his worth to the nation. But that emotional attachment to the man of God never translated into obedience to God himself. Joash could weep over a godly prophet while continuing in the very sins that grieved God. His feelings about the faith, and his regard for godly people, existed alongside a life that did not actually follow God.

That is a subtle but real danger. It is possible to have warm feelings about faith, to admire godly people, to be moved by holy moments, even to weep at the passing of a saint, while not actually following God ourselves. Sentiment about the faith is not the same as obedience to God; regard for godly people is not the same as walking with their God. Do not mistake being moved by godliness for being godly. Let your regard for God's people lead you not merely to admire them but to follow the God they served. Feelings about the faith are no substitute for actually following God.

Lord, Joash wept over the dying Elisha and honored him, yet continued in the sins that led Israel astray, honoring the prophet without following the prophet's God. Guard me from that disconnect. Keep me from mistaking warm feelings about faith, or admiration for godly people, for actually following you. Let my regard for your people lead me not merely to admire them but to walk with the God they served. Give me not just sentiment about the faith, but real obedience to you.