Elisha Vision – Commentary

Yesterday we had an amazing Bible class at Covenant International Church. We have been studying Jeremiah and the Holy Spirit came upon us in power over one profound verse. Even though I was the teacher, I was speechless for over a minute, with tears, in the presence of our holy God, Yehovah. The class likewise experienced the weight of His glory.

We were looking at the reaction of Judah’s King Zedekiah, to Jeremiah’s prophecy of Jerusalem’s destruction and exile to Babylon. The King proclaimed liberty for all the slaves and they even came together in the temple making a covenant. All the people agreed and released their slaves. However, they soon reversed course and took their slaves back.

Therefore Yehovah released them from Himself!

Therefore thus says Yehovah: “You have not obeyed Me in proclaiming liberty, every one to his brother and every one to his neighbor. Behold, I proclaim liberty to you,” says Yehovah–“to the sword, to pestilence, and to famine! And I will deliver you to trouble among all the kingdoms of the earth.” Jeremiah 34:17

The magnitude of this settled on the class in such a sober, holy revelation that it took our breath away. God gave them liberty from Himself! Since they found it objectionable to follow His ways, He released them from His mercy, His protection, His provision and His peace. He set them free to experience the sword, pestilence, famine and trouble! This is not the kind of liberty we usually think of with our Heavenly Father. Do you want to be free from God? Do you choose the “liberty” to do as you please in sin and disobedience? Or, do you choose the constraints of the narrow path of His righteousness through Christ Jesus, Messiah Yeshua?

For many years I have posed a question about justice and mercy. Given that the Bible is clear that we have all sinned and have fallen short of the glory of God, and that we deserve death, here is my question to you. Do you demand that God gives you justice, that is, that God gives you exactly what you deserve? Or do you cry out from your heart for grace and mercy? I see this similar question, of liberty from walking with God, as a fool’s bargain. I don’t want it, I choose to be His servant: willingly, lovingly, eternally bound to Him.

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. 2 Corinthians 4:17

This last season of history is presenting these same choices to men and nations. I grieve when it seems that our beloved USA chooses liberty from God over His honor and glory. The choice offered by God is also for Israel and for every nation. God help us. Still, as for me and my house….

And if it seems evil to you to serve Yehovah, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve Yehovah. Joshua 24:15

Let the priests, who minister to Yehovah, weep between the porch and the altar; Let them say, “Spare Your people, O Yehovah, and do not give Your heritage to reproach, that the nations should rule over them. Why should they say among the peoples, “Where is their God?” Joel 2:17

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists

(As is my custom, I have taken the liberty to change the word “LORD” to Yehovah. Every single time you see LORD or GOD in all capital letters in the Old Testament, the actual Hebrew word is Yehovah. This name occurs 6,828 times in the Hebrew text, yet remains untranslated in most Bibles. His name, obscured for 2,500 years, is now being revealed. It is TIME to restore the name of Yehovah!) (for deeper study click here.)