EXPLORING THE WORD

Elisha and God's Angel Army

So he said, "Go and see where he is, that I may send and take him." And it was told him, saying, "Behold, he is in Dothan." He sent horses and chariots and a great army there, and they came by night and surrounded the city. Now when the attendant of the man of God had risen early and gone out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was circling the city. And his servant said to him, "Alas, my master! What shall we do?" So he answered, "Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them." Then Elisha prayed and said, "O Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see." And the Lord opened the servant's eyes and he saw; and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. When they came down to him, Elisha prayed to the Lord and said, "Strike this people with blindness, I pray." So He struck them with blindness according to the word of Elisha. 2 Kings 6:13-18

Just preceding these verses, we read that the king of Aram was furious with whoever it was that was revealing his highly classified military secrets to the king of Israel. He thought that someone in his own court was a traitor. Instead, it was God who disclosed the enemy plans to Israel's king through his servant Elisha. When Aram's king found out about Elisha, he focused his hostility against the city of Dothan where Elisha was staying. Imagine the fearful shock Elisha's servant felt when he rose early on the morning described in this passage and saw the enemy horses and chariots circling his master's city. He probably knew that Elisha was an informant against Aram, revealing to Israel's king the maneuvers of the enemy. Being God's spy for Israel involved risk, and now their backs were up against the wall.

Was Elisha scared? How could he be, considering what he saw and believed? But he had to share his confidence with his servant. "O Lord, open his eyes that he may see!" The servant saw that beyond the Aramean army, circling the city of Dothan, was God's invincible army. This supernatural vision revealed a mountain "full of horses and chariots of fire." Talk about confidence! No wonder Elisha was fearless in the face of imminent death. No one could threaten his composure and faith when he could see, with his own eyes, the military presence of the Lord of hosts. Not only was this army in a superior offensive position, but they were fueled by the fire of the Lord. "For the Lord your God is a consuming fire" (Deuteronomy 4:24). Nothing can resist or overcome fire.

This vision of faith, which God gave to Elisha and his attendant, is humorously contrasted in the next event in this drama. Instead of destroying his enemies with that fiery army sent from heaven, Elisha asked the Lord to blind them. Isn't that fascinating? We read about supernatural vision and blindness in the same paragraph, the sense upon which this whole story pivots. The purpose of Elisha's request was a reflection of his humility and love for his fellow man. Like Paul, in Romans 12, Elisha wanted to transform enemies into friends.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. "But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:14-21

Don't miss the end of this amazing piece of history. Elisha actually led the blind Aramean army, now helpless and childishly obedient, to Samaria, into the city of Israel's king! When their sight was restored, they found themselves at the mercy of their enemy's sovereign. Instead of slaughtering them, however, he fed and watered them. This is the most peaceful disarmament in history. When the Aramean army received back their sight, were treated to a bountiful feast and then released, I imagine they were far more perceptive than ever before. 2 Kings 6:23 reveals the fruit of Elisha's kindness: "And the marauding bands of Arameans did not come again into the land of Israel."

Image Credit: stronytwoichmarzen; untitled; Creative Commons

Tags: Biblical-Truth | Christian-Life

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Published 6-2-2016