Click to read 2 Kings 6
Synopsis
As important a man Elisha was, he had time for his "student" prophets - he went with them to Jordan to build a new place for them He performed another miracle when he made the axehead float on water. This was performed between the healing of Naaman, the Aramean general and the deliverance of Israel from the Aramean raid, which showed that Elisha had personal time for the faithful ones.
When the Arameans made battle plans against Israel, God gave Elisha the ability to see those plans and thus was able to warn the king of Israel. The frustrated the Arameans and the king ordered for Elisha to be captured. The Lord sent His army to protect Elisha and eventually blinded the whole raiding force and led them into a trap in Samaria.
Major Verses
V1 - 6 - This passage showed that Elisha cared for his prophets and had personal time for them. Elisha had the respects of kings and commanders, yet he did not forget to care for his faithful prophets. When the axehead fell into the river, it was a problem for the prophets as it was a borrowed item. No one asked for a miracle, the prophet simply let out a desperate cry and yet Elisha went ahead to perform the miracle. - a heavy axehead floating in the water!
What I learn
The mark of a great leader is his connection with his followers and how he cares for them. Elisha was one great leader. While he had kings as his audience, he had time for his fellow prophets. When they made a request for him to go with them to Jordan, he obliged. When the axehead fell into the river, Elisha immediately paid attention to solve the problem which, in the process, gave peace to the prophet who let it slipped. We who lead must remember the plight and needs of our followers, in humility and in love.
V13 - 17 - The king of Aram was so frustrated that his battle plans were known to Israel. When he finally found out that it as Elisha who had warned the king of Israel, he ordered his army to capture Elisha.When they were all gathered near Elisha, his servant panic, but not Elisha. Instead, Elisha assured him and prayed for his eyes to open to see the heavenly host which was protecting them. Elisha had faith in God and by asking that God opens his servant's eyes help raise the servant's faith too.
What I learn
When we deal with those who are not as strong as we are in faith, we need to deal with them gently and assuredly, like Elisha did. This helps to raise their faith in God too. Faith reveals more than sight can show. With faith, we will be able to see that God is doing more for His people than sight shows. When we face difficulties, let us remember that our Heavenly Father has unlimited resources and love to help us, though we may not be able to see the manifestation. Let us look through the eyes of faith and be assured of His presence and interest in us.
V22 - 23 - When the Arameans were blinded and led into Samaria, they were vulnerable to Israel's slaughter but Elisha prohibited the Israeli king's request to kill them. Instead, Elisha applied the principle of feeding the enemy (Prov 25:21-22). The king obeyed and set a feast for the captives and then let them go home. This had an impact on the Aramean soldiers and they did not war against Israel for a time.
What I learn
The king of Israel had no right to take credit for what the Lord had done. To kill them and claim victory was taking the credit away from God. But by feeding the captives and letting them go, Israel affirmed the greatness and the mercy of God upon the Arameans. We must always revere God for who He is and give Him all the glory due. Applying the Godly principle of feeding the enemy when he is hungry requires obedience and faith in God.
V24 - 33 - When the Arameans returned to laid siege on Samaria, the city was in serious troubles. The people had to each their own babies to survive. These pains were predicted in Duet 28:49-57 when the people rejected God's leadership. The king blamed the famine on Elisha as he thought the he had given him bad advice when Elisha told him to trust God for deliverance. Also, for years the true prophets were admonishing the kings for their waywardness and thus the king saw them as trouble makers instead. The king might also had been angry because Elisha did not help the city to be rescued from the state of despair.
What I learn
When a person is not close to God, he starts to blame God and His servants when trouble comes. We must learn not to blame God or others but look deep within to examine our own heart. Repenting of our sins and asking for God's forgiveness is the only way to save our selves from troubles. He is faithful to forgive us and help us. Hallelujah!
Summary
Elisha was a great prophet and leader of his prophets. He had time for and also genuinely cared for the faithful ones. God does the same - He has personal time for His children who are faithful to Him.
Help others learn by leaving you sharing - click "Comments".
Up next....
As spoken by Elisha, the siege was lifted ... coming up next Monday on 5th May.
Synopsis
As important a man Elisha was, he had time for his "student" prophets - he went with them to Jordan to build a new place for them He performed another miracle when he made the axehead float on water. This was performed between the healing of Naaman, the Aramean general and the deliverance of Israel from the Aramean raid, which showed that Elisha had personal time for the faithful ones.
When the Arameans made battle plans against Israel, God gave Elisha the ability to see those plans and thus was able to warn the king of Israel. The frustrated the Arameans and the king ordered for Elisha to be captured. The Lord sent His army to protect Elisha and eventually blinded the whole raiding force and led them into a trap in Samaria.
Major Verses
V1 - 6 - This passage showed that Elisha cared for his prophets and had personal time for them. Elisha had the respects of kings and commanders, yet he did not forget to care for his faithful prophets. When the axehead fell into the river, it was a problem for the prophets as it was a borrowed item. No one asked for a miracle, the prophet simply let out a desperate cry and yet Elisha went ahead to perform the miracle. - a heavy axehead floating in the water!
What I learn
The mark of a great leader is his connection with his followers and how he cares for them. Elisha was one great leader. While he had kings as his audience, he had time for his fellow prophets. When they made a request for him to go with them to Jordan, he obliged. When the axehead fell into the river, Elisha immediately paid attention to solve the problem which, in the process, gave peace to the prophet who let it slipped. We who lead must remember the plight and needs of our followers, in humility and in love.
V13 - 17 - The king of Aram was so frustrated that his battle plans were known to Israel. When he finally found out that it as Elisha who had warned the king of Israel, he ordered his army to capture Elisha.When they were all gathered near Elisha, his servant panic, but not Elisha. Instead, Elisha assured him and prayed for his eyes to open to see the heavenly host which was protecting them. Elisha had faith in God and by asking that God opens his servant's eyes help raise the servant's faith too.
What I learn
When we deal with those who are not as strong as we are in faith, we need to deal with them gently and assuredly, like Elisha did. This helps to raise their faith in God too. Faith reveals more than sight can show. With faith, we will be able to see that God is doing more for His people than sight shows. When we face difficulties, let us remember that our Heavenly Father has unlimited resources and love to help us, though we may not be able to see the manifestation. Let us look through the eyes of faith and be assured of His presence and interest in us.
V22 - 23 - When the Arameans were blinded and led into Samaria, they were vulnerable to Israel's slaughter but Elisha prohibited the Israeli king's request to kill them. Instead, Elisha applied the principle of feeding the enemy (Prov 25:21-22). The king obeyed and set a feast for the captives and then let them go home. This had an impact on the Aramean soldiers and they did not war against Israel for a time.
What I learn
The king of Israel had no right to take credit for what the Lord had done. To kill them and claim victory was taking the credit away from God. But by feeding the captives and letting them go, Israel affirmed the greatness and the mercy of God upon the Arameans. We must always revere God for who He is and give Him all the glory due. Applying the Godly principle of feeding the enemy when he is hungry requires obedience and faith in God.
V24 - 33 - When the Arameans returned to laid siege on Samaria, the city was in serious troubles. The people had to each their own babies to survive. These pains were predicted in Duet 28:49-57 when the people rejected God's leadership. The king blamed the famine on Elisha as he thought the he had given him bad advice when Elisha told him to trust God for deliverance. Also, for years the true prophets were admonishing the kings for their waywardness and thus the king saw them as trouble makers instead. The king might also had been angry because Elisha did not help the city to be rescued from the state of despair.
What I learn
When a person is not close to God, he starts to blame God and His servants when trouble comes. We must learn not to blame God or others but look deep within to examine our own heart. Repenting of our sins and asking for God's forgiveness is the only way to save our selves from troubles. He is faithful to forgive us and help us. Hallelujah!
Summary
Elisha was a great prophet and leader of his prophets. He had time for and also genuinely cared for the faithful ones. God does the same - He has personal time for His children who are faithful to Him.
Help others learn by leaving you sharing - click "Comments".
Up next....
As spoken by Elisha, the siege was lifted ... coming up next Monday on 5th May.
As we go through our daily routine, (especially on Monday morning!! or was it Sunday Morning when we are going to Church??) do we ask ourselves " are we faithful?" or do we pin this question on God Himself - "Are You faithful?". The harshness of corporate life, the fragility of our mortal beings and temptations that wows us every day - Can God's Faith stand against all these? We must be thankful for every possible moment that Christ has come to stand against all these and has given all these joy (not just happiness) with such grace on the Cross. Yes, God is indeed always faithful - He has given us His time always, we should likewise, unconditionally, give our time in serving Him till the day we meet Him face to face. Amen.
ReplyDeleteHi Steven, it is so common for us to hear people asking "why did God allow this to happen?" when they face difficulties. As you said they blame God. But Elisha when facing difficulties and persecution did not blame God but prayed and saw what God was about to do.
ReplyDeleteDo we pray when we face difficulties or do we give up?
Elisha's prayer life gave him spiritual sight to see the miracle power of the cross in the difficulties he faced. He saw how something lost could be found through the miracle of power of the cross making the iron float. He saw where the enemy was going to be so he could warn others. He saw he had more horses and chariots of fire with him than the enemy had. He saw the way to defeat his enemies was to bless them. What do you see? Any comments? Please write also - Pastor Peter
Hi Steven.. thank you for sharing your blog with me. It has helped me in my spiritual growth and am blessed from your sharing. It came in an opportune timing - I guess God knows what I needed most.
ReplyDelete