2 Kings 6-7 summary
Elisha causes a lost axhead to float, showing Israel God’s compassion for the individual (6:1–7). God also cares for the nation. Elisha continually advises the King of Israel of Syria’s military plans (vv. 8–12). The furious King of Syria sends an expedition to capture Elisha. Elisha is granted divine protection (vv. 13–17), and leads the enemy corps into Israel’s capital city itself. There the stunned Syrians are fed, and sent home (vv. 18–23). Later hostilities resume, and Samaria is under siege. The population is reduced to eating scraps and even to cannibalism (vv. 24–29). The despairing King of Israel decides to strike out at God by executing Elisha. Elisha pledges that despite the king’s lack of faith, the next day the finest of foods will be sold cheaply in the starving city (6:30–7:2). The pledge is kept when the Syrians hear a nonexistent army rushing down on them, panic, and abandon their camp with all its supplies (vv. 3–20). Thus in private and in very public ways, Elisha continues to demonstrate to Israel that the Lord is God, and that faith in Him is not foolishness, but wisdom. Key verse. 6:33: Why wait for the Lord? He is God. Personal application. Trust God in good times and in bad. Richards, L. O. (1991; Published in electronic form by Logos Research Systems, 1996). The Bible readers companion (electronic ed.) (247). Wheaton: Victor Books.
In 2 Kings 6 we see the king of Aram infuriated with Elisha's ability to know his plans and warn the king of Israel so the king of Aram devises a plan to capture Elisha. You have to wonder at the kings folly, if Elisha knows of his plans against Israel won't he know about his plans against him? Remember how we were surprised that Elijah would run from Jezebel following a stunning victory at Mt. Carmel? It would not be surprising to see his disciple flee after he learned that the king of Aram had sent an army to capture him. However, Elisha does not run, he stays in Dothan while an enormous Aramean army surrounds the city. So Elisha does not run, but he must be operating in panic mode...right!
How often do you and I allow our circumstances to throw us into panic mode? Be honest!
Elisha is cool, calm and collected...how can that be? Was he insane? That must be it, he was crazy...how else could you explain his calm in the midst of a life-storm? HOW?
2 Kings 6:15-18 When the servant of the man of God got up early and went out, he discovered an army with horses and chariots surrounding the city. So he asked Elisha, “Oh, my master, what are we to do?” [HOW OFTEN HAVE WE ASKED THAT QUESTION? WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO? YOU CAN HEAR THE FEAR IN HIS VOICE] 16 Elisha said, “Don’t be afraid, for those who are with us outnumber those who are with them.” 17 Then Elisha prayed, “Lord, please open his eyes and let him see.” So the Lord opened the servant’s eyes. He looked and saw that the mountain was covered with horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. 18 When the Arameans came against him, Elisha prayed to the Lord, “Please strike this nation with blindness.” So He struck them with blindness, according to Elisha’s word.
Do you see the stunning contrast here? One has his eyes opened and is comforted by what he sees another group is blinded. In the next episode we see Aramean's fleeing when no one is pursuing and Elisha is calmly walking through all of these events. He is walking by faith! You could not ask for a better example of Proverbs 28:1, The wicked flee when no one is pursuing, But the righteous are bold as a lion. Remember the images in your mind of the lion on the African plains...lying around, relaxed, cool, calm and collected. Nothing really disturbs them, they have no predators...neither do the righteous! There is only ONE we are to fear and no other...Luke 12:5“But I will warn you whom to fear: fear the One who, after He has killed, has authority to cast into hell; yes, I tell you, fear Him! IF JESUS TELL YOU TO FEAR HIM IT WOULD BE WISE TO ACCEPT HIS COUNSEL!
How can we do this as we walk through this life with so many distractions? So many things constantly pulling at us...HOW?
Paul hit the nail on the head when he said in Eph 1:18, "I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints." When we walk by faith, trusting not in ourselves, but in HIM, trusting in the hope of HIS calling and in the riches of the glory of HIS inheritance in the saints...we are at peace! When our eyes are fixed on Jesus the AUTHOR AND FINISHER OF OUR FAITH we are filled with the Spirit, energy, passion and power...all flowing from HIM!
What God did for Lydia HE will do for the rest of HIS children!
Acts 16:14-15 A woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God, was listening. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was spoken by Paul. 15 After she and her household were baptized, she urged us, “If you consider me a believer in the Lord, come and stay at my house.” And she persuaded us.
Jeremiah 29:13 You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.
Father in heaven,
Open the eyes of our heart Lord, open the eyes of our heart...enable us to seek you and find you as YOU enable us by YOUR Spirit to seek YOU with ALL our heart, soul, mind and strength.
Please Father work this for YOUR glory and our JOY in YOU!
love,
m