Forgiveness—Over and over and over (2 Kings 13.4)

But Jehoahaz entreated the LORD, and the LORD heeded him; for he saw the oppression of Israel, how the king of Aram oppressed them.

Background

This is a prayer for help by a King who has shown little or no interest in God or his ways. Yet God still answers him. What does this tell us about our prayers and about God?

Much has happened since the last prayer passage. Though it begins with another story of Elijah taking care of the Shunamite woman, the rest of it is tragic. Both the northern and southern kingdoms of Israel experience kings who do not follow God’s ways. Both have kings who are assassinated (Judah loses its best king in some time). The last of the Omri dynasty is killed. A Queen in Judah attempts to wipe out all the descendants of David, and is successful except for one young boy, Joash.¹ Though he tries to rebuild the Temple and its practices, Judah is attacked, and the king gives the money to the attackers to keep his land safe.

In the north, Jehoahaz’s son ruled for 17 years, and, just as his father, “did what was evil.” But there is a cycle of actions that appear in this story that will be familiar if you have studied the book of Judges.² Israel ignores God and does its own thing; God has enough of it and allows oppressors to come; they cry out to God; God has pity on them and delivers them.

That is what happens here. Israel is under attack and things do not look good. Despite his lack of interest in God or his ways, he is in danger of losing his kingship (and probably his life), so Jehoahaz turns to God in prayer.

And God answers him and delivers him and his kingdom.

Meaning

Does this bother you? Would you like to say

“Lord, he has ignored you for years. You warned him over and over again. He still ignored you. Now that he is in trouble, suddenly he wants you to deliver him. This is not a sincere repentance!”