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New Bible study: John Lesson 56

New Story from the Book Itself: Elisha and a Foreign King

Lesson 56

John 14:1-4

[1] Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. [2] In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. [3] And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. [4] And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.

Background Information
This is a much loved passage of Scripture. As such, it has been quoted and discussed often.

One issue that is debated is the meaning of the word “mansions” in verse 1. Most newer Bible translations don’t use “mansions.” The Greek word translated here technically refers to rooms or dwelling places (from the lexical section of Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible). While we may or may not have separate houses in Heaven, we can be sure that each of God’s children will have a place of his or her own. We can also be sure that those places will be wonderful.

Related Scriptures
Psalm 23:6
John 3:13-16
John 14:6
2 Corinthians 5:1-8
1 Thessalonians 4:13-17
Hebrews 4:14-16
Hebrews 12:22-24
Revelation 21:10-27

 

Questions
1. Where is Jesus now?
2. Who is Jesus preparing a place for?
3. In whose house is that place to be?
4. Where does Jesus promise to take His people?
5. From the related Scriptures, what will that place be like?
6. How can we be sure we are going there?
7. Are you sure you are going there?

Elisha and a Foreign King

In this story, a king's servant hears the word of God and uses it in a very bad way.

And Elisha came to Damascus. And Benhadad the king of Syria was sick, and it was told him, saying, “The man of God is come here.”

And the king said to Hazael, “Take a present in your hand; and go, meet the man of God, and inquire of the LORD by him, saying, 'Shall I recover of this disease?'”

So Hazael went to meet him and took a present with him, even of every good thing of Damascus, forty camels' burden, and came and stood before him and said, “Your son Benhadad, king of Syria, has sent me to you, saying, 'Shall I recover of this disease?'”

And Elisha said to him, “Go, say to him, 'You may certainly recover.' Howbeit the LORD has showed me that he shall surely die.”

And he settled his countenance steadfastly until he was ashamed; and the man of God wept.

And Hazael said, “Why weeps my lord?”

And he answered, “Because I know the evil that you will do to the children of Israel. Their strong holds will you set on fire and their young men will you slay with the sword, and will dash their children and rip up their women with child.”

And Hazael said, “But what is your servant, a dog, that he should do this great thing?”

And Elisha answered, “The LORD has showed me that you shall be king over Syria.”

So he departed from Elisha and came to his master; who said to him, “What said Elisha to you?”

And he answered, “He told me that you should surely recover.”

And it came to pass on the morrow that he took a thick cloth and dipped it in water and spread it on his face so that he died. And Hazael reigned in his stead.

(2 Kings 8:7-15)

 

 

This study is in the public domain and may be copied and distributed freely.