2 Kings 8:22
So to this day Edom has been in rebellion against the hand of Judah. Likewise, Libnah rebelled at the same time.
So to this day
This phrase indicates the enduring nature of Edom's rebellion against Judah. The Hebrew word for "day" (יוֹם, yom) often signifies not just a literal day but an era or period. This suggests that the consequences of the rebellion were long-lasting, affecting the political and spiritual landscape of the region. It serves as a reminder of the persistent nature of sin and rebellion against God's ordained order, which can have lasting impacts on generations.

Edom
Edom, descended from Esau, Jacob's brother, represents a longstanding rival to Israel. The Hebrew name אֱדוֹם (Edom) is linked to the word for "red," reflecting Esau's appearance at birth and the red stew for which he sold his birthright. Historically, Edom's rebellion is significant as it symbolizes the struggle between fleshly desires and spiritual promises. Edom's resistance to Judah's rule is emblematic of humanity's broader rebellion against divine authority.

has been in rebellion
The Hebrew root מָרַד (marad) means to rebel or revolt. This rebellion is not just a political act but a spiritual defiance against God's chosen people and His covenant. In a broader theological context, rebellion is a recurring theme in Scripture, illustrating humanity's tendency to resist God's will. This phrase challenges believers to examine areas of personal rebellion and to seek alignment with God's purposes.

against Judah’s dominion
Judah, representing the southern kingdom, was the line through which God's promise to David was to be fulfilled. The Hebrew word מֶמְשָׁלָה (memshalah) for "dominion" implies authority and governance. Edom's rebellion against Judah's dominion is a direct challenge to the Davidic covenant, which promised an everlasting kingdom. This highlights the spiritual warfare against God's promises and the need for steadfast faith in His sovereignty.

Libnah also rebelled
Libnah, a city in the Shephelah of Judah, was a Levitical city, indicating its spiritual significance. The rebellion of Libnah, alongside Edom, underscores a period of instability and spiritual decline in Judah. The Hebrew root for "rebelled" is the same as used for Edom, emphasizing a collective turning away from God's established order. This serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of spiritual complacency and the importance of remaining faithful to God's commands.

at that time
This phrase situates the events within a specific historical context, likely during the reign of Jehoram, a king whose actions led to significant turmoil. The Hebrew word עֵת (et) for "time" can denote a season or appointed time, suggesting that these events were part of a divinely permitted period of testing and judgment. It reminds believers that God is sovereign over history, and even in times of rebellion, His purposes will ultimately prevail.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Edom
A nation descended from Esau, Jacob's brother. Historically, Edom had been subject to Judah but rebelled during the reign of Jehoram.

2. Judah
The southern kingdom of Israel, ruled by the descendants of David. During this period, Jehoram was the king.

3. Jehoram
The king of Judah at the time of Edom's rebellion. His reign was marked by idolatry and a departure from the ways of his father, Jehoshaphat.

4. Libnah
A city in the Shephelah of Judah. It also rebelled against Jehoram's rule, possibly due to his unfaithfulness to God.

5. Rebellion
The act of defying authority. In this context, it refers to Edom and Libnah's revolt against Judah's rule.
Teaching Points
Consequences of Unfaithfulness
Jehoram's departure from God's ways led to instability and rebellion. Our actions have consequences, and turning away from God can lead to turmoil in our lives.

The Importance of Leadership
As leaders, our faithfulness to God can influence those we lead. Jehoram's idolatry set a poor example, leading to rebellion and unrest.

God's Sovereignty in Rebellion
Even in rebellion, God’s purposes prevail. The rebellion of Edom and Libnah was part of God's larger plan and serves as a reminder of His ultimate control over nations.

Historical Tensions and Their Spiritual Lessons
The conflict between Edom and Judah is a reminder of the spiritual battles we face. We must remain vigilant and faithful to God to overcome these challenges.

Repentance and Restoration
Despite rebellion, there is always an opportunity for repentance and restoration. God calls us back to Him, offering forgiveness and a chance to realign with His will.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the rebellion of Edom and Libnah reflect the spiritual state of Judah under Jehoram's leadership?

2. In what ways can we see the consequences of unfaithfulness to God in our own lives or communities today?

3. How does the historical tension between Edom and Judah illustrate the spiritual battles we face in our personal lives?

4. What lessons can we learn from Jehoram's leadership about the importance of setting a godly example for those we lead?

5. How can we apply the concept of repentance and restoration in our relationship with God when we find ourselves in rebellion against His will?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Genesis 27
The origin of the Edomites through Esau, highlighting the longstanding tension between Jacob's and Esau's descendants.

2 Chronicles 21
Provides additional details about Jehoram's reign and the consequences of his idolatry, including the rebellion of Edom and Libnah.

Obadiah 1
A prophecy against Edom, reflecting the ongoing conflict and God's judgment on Edom for its actions against Judah.
Two Kings of JudahJ. Orr 2 Kings 8:16-29
Baneful Influence of a Wicked WifeJ. Parker, D. D.2 Kings 8:17-24
Lessons from the Life of JehoramDavid Thomas, D. D.2 Kings 8:17-24
Lessons from the Life of JehoramD. Thomas 2 Kings 8:17-24
People
Ahab, Ahaziah, Aram, Athaliah, Ben, Benhadad, Ben-hadad, David, Edomites, Elisha, Gehazi, Hadad, Hazael, Israelites, Jehoram, Jehoshaphat, Jezreel, Joram, Omri, Syrians
Places
Damascus, Edom, Jerusalem, Jezreel, Libnah, Ramah, Ramoth-gilead, Samaria, Syria, Zair
Topics
Edom, Edomites, Free, Itself, Judah, Libnah, Rebellion, Revolt, Revolted, Revolteth, Rule, Themselves, Till, Yet
Dictionary of Bible Themes
2 Kings 8:16-22

     7245   Judah, kingdom of

2 Kings 8:16-29

     5366   king

Library
The Story of Hazael
'So Hazael went to meet him, and took a present with him, even of every good thing of Damascus, forty camels' burden, and came and stood before him, and said, Thy son Ben-hadad king of Syria hath sent me to thee, saying, Shall I recover of this disease? 10. And Elisha said unto him, Go, say unto him, Thou mayest certainly recover: howbeit the Lord hath shewed me that he shall surely die. 11. And he settled his countenance stedfastly, until he was ashamed: and the man of God wept. 12. And Hazael said,
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Hazael
BY REV. J. G. GREENHOUGH, M.A. "But what, is thy servant a dog, that he should do this great thing?"--2 KINGS viii. 13. Hazael was the chief minister and prime favourite of Benhadad, the Syrian king. He had been raised from a humble lot and promoted to that high post by the partiality of his sovereign, who had doubtless discerned his exceptional abilities, and certainly placed implicit trust in him. Just now the king was dangerously ill, and Hazael had been sent to inquire of the prophet of Israel
George Milligan—Men of the Bible; Some Lesser-Known

The Assyrian Revival and the Struggle for Syria
Assur-nazir-pal (885-860) and Shalmaneser III. (860-825)--The kingdom of Urartu and its conquering princes: Menuas and Argistis. Assyria was the first to reappear on the scene of action. Less hampered by an ancient past than Egypt and Chaldaea, she was the sooner able to recover her strength after any disastrous crisis, and to assume again the offensive along the whole of her frontier line. Image Drawn by Faucher-Gudin, from a bas-relief at Koyunjik of the time of Sennacherib. The initial cut,
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 7

The Prophet Jonah.
It has been asserted without any sufficient reason, that Jonah is older than Hosea, Joel, Amos, and Obadiah,--that he is the oldest among the prophets whose written monuments have been preserved to us. The passage in 2 Kings xiv. 25, where it is said, that Jonah, the son of Amittai the prophet, prophesied to Jeroboam the happy success of his arms, and the restoration of the ancient boundaries of Israel, and that this prophecy was confirmed by the event, cannot decide in favour of this assertion,
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Redemption for Man Lost to be Sought in Christ.
1. The knowledge of God the Creator of no avail without faith in Christ the Redeemer. First reason. Second reason strengthened by the testimony of an Apostle. Conclusion. This doctrine entertained by the children of God in all ages from the beginning of the world. Error of throwing open heaven to the heathen, who know nothing of Christ. The pretexts for this refuted by passages of Scripture. 2. God never was propitious to the ancient Israelites without Christ the Mediator. First reason founded on
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion

The Prophet Joel.
PRELIMINARY REMARKS. The position which has been assigned to Joel in the collection of the Minor Prophets, furnishes an external argument for the determination of the time at which Joel wrote. There cannot be any doubt that the Collectors were guided by a consideration of the chronology. The circumstance, that they placed the prophecies of Joel just between the two prophets who, according to the inscriptions and contents of their prophecies, belonged to the time of Jeroboam and Uzziah, is
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Christ's Prophetic Office
'The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet,' &c. Deut 18:85. Having spoken of the person of Christ, we are next to speak of the offices of Christ. These are Prophetic, Priestly, and Regal. 'The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet.' Enunciatur hic locus de Christo. It is spoken of Christ.' There are several names given to Christ as a Prophet. He is called the Counsellor' in Isa 9:9. In uno Christo Angelus foederis completur [The Messenger of the Covenant appears in Christ alone].
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Tit. 2:06 Thoughts for Young Men
WHEN St. Paul wrote his Epistle to Titus about his duty as a minister, he mentioned young men as a class requiring peculiar attention. After speaking of aged men and aged women, and young women, he adds this pithy advice, "Young men likewise exhort to be sober-minded" (Tit. 2:6). I am going to follow the Apostle's advice. I propose to offer a few words of friendly exhortation to young men. I am growing old myself, but there are few things I remember so well as the days of my youth. I have a most
John Charles Ryle—The Upper Room: Being a Few Truths for the Times

Commerce
The remarkable change which we have noticed in the views of Jewish authorities, from contempt to almost affectation of manual labour, could certainly not have been arbitrary. But as we fail to discover here any religious motive, we can only account for it on the score of altered political and social circumstances. So long as the people were, at least nominally, independent, and in possession of their own land, constant engagement in a trade would probably mark an inferior social stage, and imply
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

Original Sin
Q-16: DID ALL MANKIND FALL IN ADAM'S FIRST TRANSGRESSION? A: The covenant being made with Adam, not only for himself, but for his posterity, all mankind descending from him, by ordinary generation, sinned in him, and fell with him in his first transgression. 'By one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin,' &c. Rom 5:12. Adam being a representative person, while he stood, we stood; when he fell, we fell, We sinned in Adam; so it is in the text, In whom all have sinned.' Adam was the head
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.),
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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