We’re reading the 2nd Book of Kings in our lectionary this 11th week of the year. Easy to dismiss these readings about wicked kings and prophets with strange sounding names and skip over to Matthew and the words of Jesus or some devotional prayers. 

The 2nd Book of Kings is the last part of what commentators call “Deuteronomistic History.” It tells the story of the settlement of the land by the Jews under Joshua until the downfall of the kingdoms of Israel and Judah and their eventual exile.

Overall, both 1 and 2 Kings paint a discouraging picture of Jewish kings and the political side of the time. In Monday’s reading, King Ahab and his wife Jezebel murder Naboth to grab the vineyard he owns, an example of the flagrant abuse of political power that took place then. Further readings from 1 and 2 Kings indicate it didn’t end there.

How about now ? Deuteronomistic History is Sacred History–it happens again. Take a look around.

The Prophet Elijah confronts Ahab and Jezebel in Tuesday’s reading. He’s a lonely voice for God’s judgment, other prophets are not brave enough to speak out. Yet, even as Elijah condemns, we see signs of God’s mercy when Ahab repents. We may think the political world today is insulated from God’s grace, but is that true? We have to pray for those in government and in the political world; God speaks to them too.

In Wednesday’s reading there’s another lesson from Sacred History. Elisha takes on the mantle of Elijah. Another prophet appears in the land and is given power over kings and a voice to speak to the time. Lonely prophets–or is it prophetic movements?– are always there. God sends his prophets.

Ultimately, time is in God’s hand. All time. History evolves according to God’s plan.  Where are the lonely prophets or prophetic movements today? Take a look around.