Reflections on "A Minor Key" 2 Kings 2: 1-14; 1 Kings 18: 21-40

This is the first sermon of the summer preaching series on the minor prophets.  Probably tried to cover too much ground in the sermon.  In fact, it really did not get to the minor prophets as we discussed prophets in general and then looked at Elijah and Elisha.  Of course, the stories about Elijah and Elisha were great stories.

“A Minor Key?” FPC, Troy, Minor prophet series; 2 Kings 2: 1-14; I Kings 18: 21-40

Introduction: First sermon of the summer series on the minor prophets.

A little bit of background as we begin reflecting on prophets.

Properly defined, the prophet is one who speaks “under the influence of Yahweh's spirit,” and is “able to interpret the meaning of events and to proclaim the will of God in concrete terms” (Understanding the Old Testament. Anderson, Bernhard (253).

As we go through this summer, an interesting reflection for you as we move through this preaching series – how do you hear God's Word in your life today? In other words, who plays the role of prophet in our context.

There are major and minor prophets. Major means long in length – both the length of their words and the length of their tenure as prophets (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, and Daniel) (see https://www.biblegateway.com/blog/2011/06/tour-of-the-bible-part-4-the-major-prophets/ for a short synopsis)

Minor means short – not less important, but short in length and in the time frame in which they prophesy. Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi.

As our introduction to the prophets, this week we meet Elijah and Elisha.

They were neither major prophets or minor prophets.

They did not leave behind writings that are part of the biblical text.

They were the first of the prophets who prophesied exclusively. Nathan and Samuel – prophet and priest; or the judges who prophesied.

Elijah and Elisha pioneered the role of prophet and set the stage for the prophets whose book we read in the biblical text.

I think, in part, a prophet has these attributes

Move 1: Prophet calls the people back to focus on God., not other gods.

a. names

1. Elijah means literally, “Yahweh is my God,”

2. Elisha means, “My God is my salvation.”

3. Every time the people call out their names or hear them speak, their names stand as a reminder of God's claim on them and God's desire to save them.

b. part of what the prophets do is look around the world and see all the other gods out there.

1. The fertility gods and their live, human sacrifices.

2. the worship of Baal.

3. the prophets will see all the attention given to the other gods and the temptation for the Israelites to follow the other gods, and then the prophet calls the Israelites back to their God.

c. Not just looking outward at others, but looking inward at the Israelites.

1. looks at their circumstances in the particular time in which they are prophesying.

2. Elijah is dealing with King Ahab and Queen Jezebel, perhaps the worst of Israel's royalty through the years.

3. Elijah will engage, at times flee from them, but he continually challenges them and how they are leading God's people.

500. As we heard in the passage from I Kings, the prospect then will call the people to choose: I Kings 1 18: 21 (The Message: Elijah challenged the people: “How long are you going to sit on the fence? If God is the real God, follow him; if it’s Baal, follow him. Make up your minds!” Nobody said a word; nobody made a move.

The prophet will call the people back to God

 Move 2: We will discover that the minor prophets probably have a reprimand on their tongues.

a. I'm not sure we are going to like all that new hear from the minor prophets this summer.

1. King Ahab famously sees Elijah and asks, “Is it you, you troubler of Israel?”

2. He knows Elijah is about to take him to task.

3. The prophets look at the life the Israelites lead and challenge them:

for their nationalism;

for their selfishness

for their lack of concern for the poor

for their religious practices that are more about show than about worshiping God in truth and in love.

2. When we hear the prophets' words, we too will be challenged to examine how we are living our lives in our context.

2. We will be asking ourselves, if Elijah or Amos, or Hosea were living in our midst, what would they think about how we are living individually and collectively.

4. As Eugene Peterson notes, “the biblical prophets continue to be the most powerful and effective voices ever heard on this earth for keeping religion honest, humble and compassionate. Prophets sniff out injustice, especially injustice that is dressed up in religious garb. They sniff it out a mile away. Prophets see through hypocrisy, especially hypocrisy that assumes a religious pose” Eugene Peterson, the Message NavPress, 2002, 164 as quoted in God’s Politics, Jim Wallis 137.

b. we will also be challenged to hear and discern what is of God.

1. The 20th century monk mystic Thomas Merton once said: “It may be true that every prophet is a pain in the neck, but it is NOT true that every pain in the neck is a prophet. There is no more firmly entrenched expression of the false self than the self-proclaimed prophet.” James"Finley,"Merton’s Palace of Nowhere” as found in Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church Asheville, North Carolina 10 May 2015 Sermon: “Sure” Mark Ramsey

2. So we will struggle to hear God's word for us in our context.

And be ready, it will probably include some reprimands!

Move 3: But, reading the minor prophets should also be fun because they usually have a good story to tell or a fascinating way of telling it.

a. Elijah – Mt. Carmel challenge

1. Great story.

2. Elijah versus 450 prophets of Baal.

3. The other prophets go to make a sacrifice, and they can't get the fire started, literally.

4. Elijah gloats – and in his gloating makes the point – why should you worship Baal, when Baal is fairly worthless.

5. then to prove the point that they should give their lives to God, he builds an altar, sets out the sacrifice, and pours water three times, even creating a trench of water around the altar; even through the water, God sends a fire to burn the sacrifice.

             6. exciting story, but also an important point is made about the power of God that exceeds Baal.

b. Elisha – Naaman story

1. Commander of Aramean army has leprosy.

2. captured Israelite slave girl tells Naaman's wife about the God of Israel who can heal through the prophet Elisha.

3. When King of Aram asks for help for Naaman, the king of Israel is upset.

4. Elisha tells Naaman to go wash in the Jordan seven times.

5. Naaman initially refuses, he is insulted at the thought that he is only being asked to bathe seven times. What kid of God is at work in a bath?

5. But he eventually he bathes seven times, and he is healed.

6. a fascinating story, but one that also makes the point about God's ability to be at work, even through bathing; God’s control over all people, not just the Israelites; and God's care for even those outside the Israelite family.

Conclusion: We read of Elijah being swept up to heaven in a whirlwind at the end of his life, and a double portion of his spirit being bestowed on Elisha, who will not prophesy.

God will continue to speak.

Are you listening?