SCRIPTURE: 2 KINGS 6
BIBLE VERSE:
‘And he answered, “Fear not, for they that are with us are more than they that are with them.” (2 Kings 6:16)
AN AXEHEAD FLOATS (vs. 1-7)
The company of the prophets wanted to go to Jordan and asked Elisha to go with them. They borrowed an axe to cut down tress. But the axehead fell into the river. Elisha cut a stick and threw it into the place where it fell and the iron floated. Then Elisha told them to lift it out.
ELISHA TRAPS BLINDED ARAMEANS (vs. 8-23)
The king of Aram was at war with Israel. He discussed on where to set up the camps. Elisha sent words to the king of Israel on the places to avoid. The king of Aram suspected someone must have been on the side of the Israel, so he demanded the officials to tell him the name. One of his officers said: “Elisha the prophet who is in Israel tells the king of Israel the very words you speak in your bedroom” (v. 12) The king of Aram ordered his men to capture Elisha in Dothan. He sent horses and chariots with a strong force. When the servant of Elisha saw this, they were frightened. But Elisha said: “Don’t be afraid. Those who are with us are more than those who are with them” (v. 16). Then he prayed to the Lord to open the eyes of his servants and strike the enemies with blindness. Elisha led the men to Samaria and told the king of Israel not to kill them. Instead set food and water for them to eat. After they had finished eating and drinking, he sent them away and they returned to their master. So the bands from Aram stopped raiding Israel’s territory.
FAMINE IN BESIEGED SAMARIA (vs. 24-33)
Ben-Hadad, king of Aram laid siege to Samaria. There was a great famine in the city, so everything was very expensive. As the king was passing on the wall, a woman cried to him for help. The woman said: “Some one agreed to eat my son today and she will give up his son the next day. So we cook my son and ate him. The next day, she had hidden her son.” (v. 28-29). The king was upset and wanted the head of Elisha. As the king was sending his messenger to capture Elisha, Elisha was sitting in his house with the elders. Elisha told them that the king is sending someone to cut off his head. So when the messenger comes, shut the door and hold it shut against him.
THOUGHTS:
Knowing that Elisha was his real enemy, the king of Syria tried to capture him. But Elisha captured them and he did it with prayer and kindness. He gave them food to eat and drink as equivalent to making a covenant. So those soldiers would never attack Israel again.
Elisha performed a dual miracle. He opened the yes of his servants but he blinded the eyes of their invaders. Elisha defeated the enemy with kindness so that no more secret commando bands were sent to raid the village of Israel. If we obey God’s word, we can see how God works without having to be afraid of our enemies.
Elisha’s servant was no longer afraid when he saw God’s mighty heavenly army. Faith reveals that God is doing everything we don’t realize. When you face difficulties that seem insurmountable, remember the spiritual resources that God can provide. Look through the eyes of faith and let God work in your life.