II Kings 13-14

“My father, my father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!” (13:14).  This Joash (many kings had similar names) of Israel was not righteous (13:11), but he knew that the dying prophet Elisha had a real connection with Abraham’s God.  Syria’s army was harassing Israel (13:22), and Joash grasped, for a moment, that only the Lord could be Israel’s “chariots and horsemen.”  Israel’s army went on to brief success (ch 14), yet their ultimate downfall was approaching because they continued to worship idols.

“But the LORD was gracious to them and had compassion on them …” (13:23). God kept calling Israel back to Himself. Worldly power and wealth are fragile idols; God alone can rescue, defend, and bless us.