Hazael: A Man who did not know Himself

When Hazael had come into the presence of Elisha, the prophet had wept because he had been given a revelation of the future sins of Hazael. He told him, 'I know the evil that thou wilt do unto the children of Israel: their strong holds wilt thou set on fire, and their young men wilt thou slay with the sword, and wilt dash their children, and rip up their women with child.' But Hazael was shocked that anyone would suggest that he would do any such thing and he said, But what, is thy servant a dog, that he should do this great thing? He felt that he could not be so wicked and so sinful as to do the things that Elisha was telling him about. And the thing is I think he was sincere. He really did not think he could be so wicked. Hazael is a man who did not know himself. And the problem with many sinners is that they are so deluded that they do not know themselves. It is easy to think well of yourself. It is easy to make excuses. It is easy to brush over the faults. But I want you to see how the word of God exposed this man Hazael.