How does this passage connect to the theme of obedience in Deuteronomy 28? Snapshot of the Scene “Then he said, ‘Take the arrows,’ and the king took them. Elisha said to the king of Israel, ‘Strike the ground.’ So he struck it three times and stopped.” (2 Kings 13:18) The Command and the Response • Elisha issues a clear, straightforward instruction from the Lord. • King Joash obeys—but only partially, stopping after three strikes. • Elisha immediately rebukes him (v. 19), revealing that fuller obedience would have brought complete victory over Aram. Connecting to Deuteronomy 28: Blessing Hinges on Obedience Deuteronomy 28 lays down two paths: 1. Blessings for wholehearted obedience (vv. 1-14). 2. Curses for disobedience or half-heartedness (vv. 15-68). Parallels between the two passages: • Matching clarity: God’s expectations are unmistakable in both chapters. • Proportional outcomes: – Deuteronomy 28:2—“All these blessings will come upon you and overtake you if you will obey the voice of the LORD your God.” – 2 Kings 13:19—Elisha explains that five or six strikes would have meant total victory; three strikes meant only partial success. • Responsibility rests on the human response: just as Israel’s future hinged on obeying Moses’ words, Joash’s military future hinged on obeying Elisha’s prophetic act without reservation. Echoes Through the Rest of Scripture • Joshua 1:7—Unswerving obedience brings prosperity and success. • 1 Samuel 15:22—“To obey is better than sacrifice.” Saul’s incomplete obedience, like Joash’s, led to diminished blessing. • John 14:15—Jesus ties love for Him directly to keeping His commands, underscoring the same timeless principle. Lessons for Today • God’s instructions are not suggestions; partial compliance still counts as disobedience. • The measure of blessing often matches the measure of obedience. • Faith expresses itself in active, persevering response—striking the ground until God says, “Enough,” not until we feel comfortable stopping. |
    |