Read: 2
Kings 6:8-7:20
As Elisha continues, we discover the role he played
in Israel’s international affairs. Israel is at war with their northeastern
neighbour Aram. God gives Elisha prophetic insight about Aram’s military
strategy. Elisha tells the king and Israel thwarts Aram’s plan of attack. This
scene plays out so many times that the king of Aram assumes that one of his men
is spying for Israel. The Arameans surround the city of Dothan to capture
Elisha. Elisha’s servant becomes fearful when he learns they are surrounded by
Aramean armies. Elisha, trusting in God, tells his servant to fear not. As
Elisha prays, God shows the servant that they are actually surrounded by
heavenly armies and chariots of fire. Those who are with Elisha are greater
than those who are with his enemy (6:16). So too, God is with us as we wage
spiritual warfare, and He is greater than any that may come against us. While
your enemy may seem to be a giant compared to yourself, he is a speck of dust
compared to the Maker of the Universe. Next, God blinds the Arameans, in
response to Elisha’s prayers. Israel’s king asks Elisha what he should do with
these Aramean captives. Elisha’s response (v 22) indicates two things. First,
the captives were won by God, not by Israel’s king. It was not up to the king
to decide their fate. Second, the Law commanded that they love and serve their
enemy (Exodus 23:4). By providing for, and then releasing, the Arameans, Israel
reflected God’s character. Israel created an opportunity for peaceful relations
with their neighbour. Now, Aram would be the sole aggressor in any future
attacks, reflecting on their own morality.
Sure enough, Aram attacked again, and besieged
Israel’s capital, Samaria (6:24). The siege lasted long enough that a great
famine occurred. The king of Israel blamed Elisha (v 30-31). “If Elisha had
only let me put the Arameans to death,” thought the king, “we would not be on
the edge of starvation.” As the king pursues Elisha with evil intentions,
Elisha relays a message to the king. In one day, the siege and famine will be
over. The king’s officer scoffed, thinking this impossible. Elisha declared
that the officer would die for his unbelief.
Again, we witness God’s faithful fulfillment of His
promise. That night, four lepers discover that the Aramean camp is empty. The
next day a delegation from Samaria investigates. It is true! The Arameans are
gone! God had caused the Arameans to hear the sound of a great army, so they
fled. As the scramble to pillage the Aramean camp for food and supplies begins,
the unfaithful officer is trampled. God’s word, again, is fulfilled.
Prayer and
Journaling
1. Ask God to show you an area where you are
experiencing spiritual opposition. Ask Him to show you a word, thought,
picture, or Scripture verse that indicates how He is bigger than your enemy.
2. Sometimes loving our enemies is difficult. It
may even seem unwise, just as it seemed unwise to release the Arameans who
would later attack again. Ask God to show you one or two practical ways you can
love your enemy this week.
3. We are not only commanded to love our enemies,
we are also commanded to pray for them (Matthew 5:44). Pray for the person(s)
God showed you in the above question. If you aren’t sure how to pray you can
ask God for direction. You can also simply pray blessings over this person(s)
that you would like to receive in your own life!
