wicked heart, Wicked Servant

Wicked Heart, Wicked Servant 

II Kings 8:13-14 NKJV

[13] So Hazael said, “But what is your servant—a dog, that he should do this gross thing?” And Elisha answered, “The Lord has shown me that you will become king over Syria.” [14] Then he departed from Elisha, and came to his master, who said to him, “What did Elisha say to you?” And he answered, “He told me you would surely recover.” 

From self assessment as a dog, to being a murderer the following day is difficult to comprehend. But, God searches the hearts. "

[9] “The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it? [10] I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give every man according to his ways, According to the fruit of his doings.

Jer.17.9-10.NKJV. Some say that the verse means that only God can fully know the heart, and that the only solution is for God to make hearts new and reorient them toward pleasing Him. "The immediate context of the verse speaks of Judah’s sinfulness in spite of all the blessings of God".

   David Guzik comments that " The heart is deceitful above all things: Our hearts often deceive us, presenting heart-fulfillment as the key to happiness. What we desire is often not what we need. The advice “be true to your heart” fails when the heart is deceitful above all things". He continues that, " In the OT usage the heart signifies the total inner being and includes reason. From the heart come action and will.” (Feinberg)

    Guzik submits that "The heart is not only deceitful, but also wicked - and desperately so. Many have been led to rebellion, disobedience, and great sorrow by following their heart, without challenging their heart and judging it by the measure of God’s truth. “Follow your heart” is poor advice when the heart is desperately wicked". Hazael followed his wicked heart 

   The conclusion of the story is in v.15. its a tragic read. " But it happened on the next day that he took a thick cloth and dipped it in water, and spread it over his face so that he died; and Hazael reigned in his place".  He reigned in blood. This is why Elisha wept. What a sinful heart requres is a transformation by the blood of Jesus. This maybe the story of Hazael but its close to our lives. What is the state of your heart? Good morning.