Following on the heels of a discouraging litany of the reigns of various kings, most of whom "did evil in the sight of the Lord," Israel is now carried off into captivity (to Assyria). Chapter 17 of 2 Kings, makes it very clear this is a result of sin against the Lord. Despite the covenant God made with Israel through Moses when He led them out of captivity in Egypt, they have despised the covenant and chosen evil. They "secretly did things that were not right against the Lord their God." The Lord repeatedly warned them, "by every prophet and seer" of the consequences of such choices, yet "they would not listen". Verse 15, "They went after false idols and became false".
"The Hebrew for 'false idols' and 'false' (hebel) means 'vapor' or 'breath.' It is the word in Ecclesiastes that is translated 'vanity' (e.g., 1:2). Hebel is not the breath that gives life and that inspires Elijah and Elisha (ruah). It is what is what is insubstantial and momentary." Ephemeral. "1 & 2 Kings assert that those who worship what is insubstantial become insubstantial." (p. 557)
God's warnings to Israel and Judah came largely through Elijah and Elisha--two prophets of amazing stature. Both prophets called upon the Lord to bring a child back to life. The juxtaposition of listening and breath (life) is paramount in these two biblical accounts. Interestingly, Elijah cries out to the Lord (1 Kings 17) and "the Lord listened to the voice of Elijah and the life of the child came into him again". God listens to those who cry out to him. When her son is restored to her, alive, the woman says to Elijah, "Now I know that you are a man of God, and that the word of the Lord is in your mouth". In the presence of someone who knows God's heart and calls upon God as life-giver, the woman recognizes Elijah as a truth speaker (a true prophet).
The Shema, the daily prayer of Israel, reverberates: "Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One." Oh Israel, listen to the One you worship. Don't listen to these insatiable idols to whom you literally sacrifice your own children (16:3). Listen to your God, the God who by the very breath (ruah=Spirit) of His (allegorical) mouth created the world. Here is the opportunity for creative life. God's covenant promises blessing, fullness, life overflowing with substance. Instead, Israel chooses to follow the local gods, which may give pleasure for a moment (if even that) rather than going after the richness of life lived toward the Lord, who listens, and restores.
How do I listen to the clamoring voices around me--voices that promise shallow satisfaction in products I consume or status that is quickly acquired, and easily lost? O Lord, teach me to listen for your voice. You don't stoop to clamoring for attention, yet you are always speaking--through your word, through contemporary prophets--be they friend or stranger, and through your very creation.
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