Someone To Blame

Someone To Blame 

II Kings 6:30-31 NKJV

[30] Now it happened, when the king heard the words of the woman, that he tore his clothes; and as he passed by on the wall, the people looked, and there underneath he had sackcloth on his body. [31] Then he said, “God do so to me and more also, if the head of Elisha the son of Shaphat remains on him today!”

It is very difficult to understand the King's anger towards Elisha. That's what blame does. This issue bothered Adam Clark. Here's his submission: " Either he attributed these calamities to the prophet, or else he thought he could remove them, and yet would not. The miserable king was driven to desperation". Indeed we shift blame on others as a mark of desperation. Its no spiirituality at all. 

   An AI report explains on blame shifting: " Blaming others for problems or mistakes is a defense mechanism that can prevent people from taking responsibility and learning from their mistakes. It can also create tension and damage relationships". Caterina Kostoula calls blameshifting the hidden barrier of potential. She says that, " It will keep you small and inconsequential without any of the guilt. It's someone else’s fault in the end...You feel ethically superior to the other party. Blaming others is often a defence mechanism to protect one's self-esteem". She insists that in blaming others, " You avoid responsibility. Facing our shortcomings can be painful, and blame is the go-to way to prevent this pain. With blame, you do not have to face your mistakes or the opportunity for learning and growth". We could go on in learning what that King did. 

    Joseph Benson is very scathing in his remarks, " This wretched and partial prince overlooks his own great and various sins, and, among the rest, his obstinate adherence to the worship of the calves, and his conniving at the idolatries and witchcrafts of his mother Jezebel, (2Ki 9:22,) and the wickedness of the people, which were the true and proper causes of this and all their calamities; and he lays the blame of all upon Elisha..."  We could keep on talking. For many, blame shifting is their popular game. Truly, accepting our flaws can bring us mercies from the throne of grace. Confessing them will bring us deliverance. Good morning.