Let's look at a faithful widow and the lesson of two partial revivals.
1) Another Widow's Revival
Does God provide for the faithful widow?
Elisha prophesied that a famine was coming and advised the woman whose son he had revived to go away for seven years until the famine was finished. Saved from starvation, the woman had by then lost her land. Her case was brought before the king just as he was coincidentally talking with Elisha's servant Gehazi, and having heard her story, the king restored her property "including all the income from her land from the day she left the country until now." (2 Kings 8:6 NKJV).
Rejoice, lovers of God, He can restore all that seemed lost and even more.
2) Jehu's Revival and Failure
Does Jehu’s partial repentance teach us why some revivals fail?
Jehu's anointing as king was one of the strangest coronations, but it went with a prophesy and a divine commission. Obedience would end the reign of one of Israel's worst King and Queens, Ahab and Jezebel. Was Jehu up to the task, and would he completely submit to God? Only time would tell. In blessing Jehu for fulfilling God's instructions, we are reminded that he was "not careful to keep the law of the Lord, the God of Israel, with all his heart." (2 Kings 10:31). Though he destroyed Ba'al worship, he did not forsake the worship of golden calves. Part revival is always a danger (2 Kings 9-10).
Rejoice, lovers of God, to know that we must put away all our idols, not just some, because partial revival results in only a partial blessing.
3) Joash's Revival and Failure
Can revival happen under good but imperfect leaders?
Joash created a collection box to finance rebuilding the temple. Was accounting required? A good and honest group of accountants paid the workers. Good King Joash was eventually murdered. King "Joash did what was right in the eyes of the Lord all the years Jehoiada the high priest instructed him." (2 Kings 12:2) But, that did not last. He fell from grace after Jehoiada’s death. Failed as a man of faith, he died at the hand of his own servants.
Joash bowed to pressure as Judah’s leaders returned to idolatry. Was the king’s command to kill Zechariah, because of his prophecy condemning their idolatry, the last straw? Apostate, Joash’s doom was sealed and he died. (2 Chronicles 24)
Rejoice, lovers of God, when good but imperfect men like Joash are in charge.
One faithful widow set a better example than the half-hearted revival of two powerful men.
