II Kings 8:11

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

No word studies in this verse, just a profound moment unfolding. The prophet of the Lord, Elisha, has been sent to Damascus. The king of Syria is sick and he send his servant, Hazael to him to enquire for his health. The whole thought of this is mind boggling when we consdier the scenario of events unfolding. God is going ot allow Hazael to become king. The prophet tells him exactly what is about to unfold in historica fashion. Upon looking intently upon him here in this verse, the Lord is revealing to him the sorrow that will come from the hands of Hazael. There a few instances in church history that show forth the power of an anointed look. Charles Finney demonstrated this once by looking at a woman that had made fun of him. Looking at her streadfastly with sorrow over her lost estate, and not saying one word to her, just looking at her. She fell under conviction and soont he Spirit of God was unleashed upon the whole cotton mill and revival was at hand. All this from a look. The same look that Elisha is presenting to Hazael. STaring at him intently as in his mind the events of the future are being unfolded before him. Who but God is able to do such a thing unto man? Why would God reveal this? For the matters to be undertaken and set forth are directly related to what Hazael learns from this. Remove the conversation with Elisha and Hazael would not even think of killin his master. Now some doubter would cast forth scorn to say, that these events caused the death of the king. The death of the king was told so that all might know that God knows our past, present and future. He knows our choices and the scenarios of our life and all mankind. He gazes so intently upon him, that Hazael is overcome with shame. Does conviction come to our hearts andminds as Christ fixes His eyes on us? ARe we moved at all over our neglect, and sinulness? Whereis the shame of God's people today? They are enboldened to stare back at Him as if to say, 'Nothing is wrong'. When we are covered insin and unfaithfulness before Him. WE know nothing of the true state of ou wetchedness if no conviction and ashamedness is present within our hearts and minds. Let His gaze upon us, not be for scorn or wrath, but for mercy and forgivenss. Let us lay low before Him, Who is Divine love and blessing for His own. And he wept - how absent are the tears of the people of God; Knowing the results of Hazael's hand caused him to weep over the butchery that he would do. Now even though he denied it in the following verse, it all came to pass. And do we not have a cause to weep over the sinful and evil ones? Do we not know their future state in hell? The eternal punishment and misery forever over their rejection of many invitations and opportunities. Is it possible that a child of God cannot weep over their loved ones perishing? But it is the true testimony of the church today, 'Our eyes are dry'.