Villain Exposed

2 Chronicles 22:11a,12

But Jehosheba, the daughter of King Jehoram, took Joash son of Ahaziah. He remained hidden with them at the temple of God for six years while Athaliah ruled the land.

‘Any story where you have good guys versus bad guys can only be as smart as the intelligence of your baddest guy’ - that’s from Bruce Willis, when asked about the importance of villains in movies. For imagine Starwars without Darth Vader or the old Batman minus the Joker? The craftiness of these villains somehow made our heroes shine brighter and the story more interesting. Without them, there will be no conflict.

And who’s the vilest of them all? Reading through chapters 21 and 22 we can find his seemingly superb schemes to put a stop to God’s plan of salvation.  As early as the time of Israel’s kings, Satan’s been plotting ways to steal, kill, and destroy everything just to prevent the Cross from happening. Here, he implanted insecurity and so much sin in Jehoram’s rule which paved the way to the slaying of the king’s brothers and  sons. Then after the death of next-king Ahaziah, the evil mother proceeded with the murder of the royal princes, that is, her very own grandchildren!  The consecutive, similar tactics, are dead giveaways of the villain’s desperation to put a stain on God’s faithfulness. For imagine if he succeeded in blotting out David’s lineage? It may not hinder the birth of Jesus, for God can opt to get another husband for Mary, but that will put into question His covenant with David.  For His honor and holiness, that, God will not allow.

In most movies, this is the time when we expect our heroes to survive the plots and traps of the villain. Like how Jehoram’s youngest son wasn’t carried off by Arab invaders and how the one year old Joash was kept hidden by his aunt.  But heaven’s heroics aren’t by ‘barely surviving’. God wisely chose these unpromising little ones to highlight how His ‘weakness’ is even stronger than the greatest of His enemy’s strength. He was the One who made this story interesting and Himself, shine bright. He is no challenger in need of proof. But to us needing security, these accounts affirm that God can’t be outsmarted, that His purposes can’t be thwarted, and His promises are trustworthy. Now, that is a true hero!

They’d Rather Not

2 Kings 1:3b

'Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going off to consult Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron?'

Mid-March of this year, 48 medical workers in Bahrain were put on trial, accused of supporting a Shiite rebellion against the Sunni monarchy. They openly expressed criticism on how government forces lay siege to hospitals, using it as baits to identify and arrest those who seek treatment.  Doctors Without Borders has witnessed patients with critical and life-threatening injuries refusing to go to the hospital due to high levels of fear. One patient who got a bullet in his head said he was dragged from the hospital to the police station and when he fell down, he was heavily beaten. Countless testimonials brought them the conclusion that seeking medical attention meant calling forth death. It’s not that they wouldn’t want those treatments. It’s more, they’d rather not.

Ahaziah was probably in deep thoughts that day when he heard about Moab’s rebellion against Israel. It could be his first challenge as newly enthroned king after Ahab’s death. Walking around the balcony of his house, he took little notice it was a lattice he was leaning on, and so he fell into the lower room, badly injured. Bandaged on his bed and Moab almost at his gates, he sure felt helpless and insecure. He sent messengers to consult Baal-zebub of his fate. Elijah kept them from further travel and told them to go back with a judgment message from God. Ahaziah was furious and thrice sent a company of fifty to seize the prophet. The first hundred saw death via fire from heaven. The third set was spared because of their humble plea. Elijah went and saw the king and delivered the same message: deathbed because he disregarded God. Ahaziah could have repented right there and then. He knew Israel’s God was the powerful God. But he also knew his surrender would have countless implications: losing kingly control and not calling the shots, being laughed at or disowned by his pagan family, breaking alliances with foreign nations, saying goodbye to a religion of lust and bounty. Will he rather be maimed but still be ‘the’ man or will he plea to this God but lose all pleasures henceforth? He counted the cost and felt it would do him well to give a No. Not that he didn’t know that God is God. But he’d rather not.

A man found her little daughter gasping for breath in the hospital and he came to his senses. Unusually sober that day, he fell on his knees, begged God to spare me from death, and promised a surrendered life. Yes, t’was my father and their covenant was kept intact to date. I’m sure many will likewise sacrifice anything for their children. But do we really want God pulling us back ‘til were at the end of our ropes? And for what? For a life of freedom from addiction, a marriage of secured faithfulness, a home where forgiveness is practiced? Isn’t success sweeter because of discipline and hardwork, or meals best shared in the company of godly friends? You wish for unlimited resource, you long for peace in life, you seek unconditional love, well it’s exactly what God offers, and much more. Ahaziah’s counted what he will lose but failed to see there is more to gain. God is all we need in life. You know it. He just calls you to fully give Him your life and rest in His care. Would you still rather not?