God told Elisha to tell Jehoash’s specific instructions of what he was to do. Jehoash was to take a bow and some arrows then Elisha put his hands momentarily on the king’s hands signifying the power of God moving through the prophet of God into Jehoash to perform this great feat. Then the king was to shoot an arrow out the window in the direction of the Israelite territories held captive by Syrian armies. When he did this Elisha explained the action by saying that the arrow represented the victory God would give to the armies of Israel over Syria.
While looking at this story it cannot be stressed enough that throughout God’s Word the victory in any battle that you are in will not be won through physical, intellectual or political might, but by the power of God.
The story of Jehoash and Elisha is no different. The symbolic laying on of hands and the declaration concerning the arrow were to show Jehoash that the victory would be won by God’s power, not Israel’s might or Jehoash’s skill as a leader. God was giving Jehoash the opportunity of a lifetime.
A Lost Opportunity
After the initial firing off of the arrow, Elisha now wanted Jehoash to take the remaining arrows and “Strike the ground with them” After being instructed by Elisha to strike the ground with the remaining arrows, Jehoash shot only a portion of the arrows and then stopped. If you were him and stopped as he did you probably wouldn’t think anything of it, except for the fact that the text says that Elisha became angry.
Why do you think Elisha was angry? You might assume that Jehoash half-heartedly shot the arrows simply going through the motions possibly doubting that this symbolic exercise would produce any desirable results. In other words, a lack of faith. Perhaps he didn’t know why he was shooting the arrows, but after shooting that first one and hearing the result of his doing so, you’d think if he truly believed what Elisha was proclaiming then he would quickly fire off every arrow he had eagerly awaiting the prophet’s next message. His lack of zeal and faith resulted in his receiving much less than what God desired to give him.
Jehoash defeated Syria 3 times just like Elisha said but he stated that if only he’d struck the ground 5 or 6 times “you would have struck down Syria until you had made an end of it”. But because of a lack of faith he only received a partial victory.
Unbelief is paralyzing and it usually is the reason you see very little of the working of God in your life in the ways you long to see. When you show a lack of faith as Jehoash did you miss out many times on what God desires to do in you and through you. Jesus went to his own hometown and Mark 6:5-6 says, “He could do no mighty work there…And he marveled because of their unbelief.” Why was this so? Because more often than not, God works in accordance with your faith (Mark 9:29, Matthew 9:20-22, 27-30; 15:28; 17:14-21). You too often get stuck in a cycle of unbelief like the children of Israel. You believe little because you’ve seen little, and you’ve seen little because you believe little”. You need to believe that God truly is who He says He is and that He really can do what He says He can do. Unfortunately your unbelief will reap severe consequences. Just think of what you won’t accomplish when you choose not to believe God for the ability to accomplish that to which He has called you. “It is a solemn thought that your unbelief can limit and hinder Christ’s work in the world.
Your Opportunity
Jehoash took a golden opportunity and turned it into a lost opportunity because of a lack of faith. Don’t suffer from a lack of faith. God wants you to believe for bigger and better things so don’t get stuck in a cycle of unbelief.
Many are like Jehoash. Not necessarily that you are living in wickedness, but that you share the lack of faith he expressed in front of Elisha. Is your passion all but quenched and you talk about what God used to do. And therefore you are living in ‘the wish God would do something for me world.’ If only Jehoash had had the faith to strike the ground a few more times until that quiver was empty. If only you would trust God for the victories in your life despite the odds. Jehoash lost his opportunity because of unbelief, will you? Take the challenge stretch your faith! God is able to do immeasurably more than you can ask or imagine.
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