Gideon wins the war against the Midianites, righteously refuses to be king and judges Israel for forty years. Yet in making the ephod, he sets Israel up for their next plunge into idolatry and rebellion.
After the death of Ehud, the Israelites begin again to do what is right in their own eyes. As is often the case, what is right in the eyes of man is evil in the eyes of the Lord.
The people return to the building of the temple and continue with determination in the face of renewed opposition. However, because of their obedience, God turned the opposition into assistance.
Through the cleansing of the Lord, Isaiah is made ready to accept the call to go tell the people of Israel the message of God. As you study this lesson, carefully consider what the Lord has to teach you.
This passage tells of the translation of Elijah to heaven, but the real story is about Elisha. He is determined to follow his master to the end and he desires a double portion of Elijah’s blessing. We see that he gets the blessing and begins to perform some of the miracles for which he is known. O, that we might follow hard after God (Psalm 63:8) as Elisha followed hard after the spirit of Elijah!
Since the first man Adam fell, man has been trying to hide his evil actions from God. The lesson teaches us that this is not only impossible but a foolish thought.
