Click to read 2 Kings 7
Synopsis
God performed another life-saving miracle for Israel by lifting the siege and so, ending the famine in the land. Elisha prophesied God's deliverance but the king and his officer did not believe him. ..... they did not trust that God would deliver them from their enemies.
This is also a story about the need to proclaim the good news to others, just as the four lepers decided to share the good news of deliverance with the besieged people.
Major Verses
V1 -2 - Elisha prophesied God's deliverance by proclaiming that flour and and barley would be sold at a cheap price once again. However, the king's officer did not believe so and even mocked God directly. To say that God cannot rescue them showed the officer's lack of hope and faith in God. For that reason, Elisha proclaimed judgment on him (which came to pass in V20).
What I learn
When problems come, be sure to guard our hearts to ensure that we do not lose faith as did the king's officer. Instead of worrying about the negatives, we must have an attitude of hope and dependency upon our Heavenly Father. He will never leave us nor forsake us.
V5 - 7 - The Lord caused the Arameans to imagine that an mighty army was coming against them and so they fled. The Lord "fought" for Israel and delivered the nation once again.
What I learn
God is good all the time and all the time, God is good! He will always deliver His children from harm. He has won and Satan has lost!
V9 - 10 - The lepers discovered that the enemies had fled their camp, leaving behind plenty of food, clothing and other provision. While they had an initial desire to simply enrich themselves, they realized that it was wrong. They had "good news" - deliverance and supply, and they rightly decided to proclaim the good news to those suffering.
What I learn
Just like the lepers, we have the good news of Jesus' salvation offer to share with others. We must not forget those who do not know about the hope of eternal life. Let us not be so pre-occupied with self that we keep the good news in wraps - let's proclaim it to those around us so that they will also be saved.
V12 - After hearing the good news, the king still doubted and feared that it was a set up instead of a miracle from God.
What I learn
The king did not have faith in God because he had not been intimate with Him. So, despite hearing Elisha's prophesy and the lepers' report, he still doubted. Let us learn to walk intimately with God daily, so that we can trust His instructions and directions for us with absolute confidence.
V17 - 20 - The faithless officer who did not believe that God would deliver the nation was trampled to death - just as Elisha had said that he would see of the miracle but would not eat any of it.
What I learn
Ask the Holy Spirit to help us to guard our heart and lip against any faithless banter and to erase all doubt in us. Let us trust God completely.
Summary
The king and his officer did not have faith in God because they had not been intimate with Him. There is consequence for not trusting in Him. The lepers decided correctly to share the good news of deliverance to the besieged people.
Your thoughts - share it with others, leave your thoughts by clicking "Comments"
Coming next ....
Ben-Hadad, king of Aram is murdered .... what can we learn from 2 Kings 8 ... coming up on 12th May.
Synopsis
God performed another life-saving miracle for Israel by lifting the siege and so, ending the famine in the land. Elisha prophesied God's deliverance but the king and his officer did not believe him. ..... they did not trust that God would deliver them from their enemies.
This is also a story about the need to proclaim the good news to others, just as the four lepers decided to share the good news of deliverance with the besieged people.
Major Verses
V1 -2 - Elisha prophesied God's deliverance by proclaiming that flour and and barley would be sold at a cheap price once again. However, the king's officer did not believe so and even mocked God directly. To say that God cannot rescue them showed the officer's lack of hope and faith in God. For that reason, Elisha proclaimed judgment on him (which came to pass in V20).
What I learn
When problems come, be sure to guard our hearts to ensure that we do not lose faith as did the king's officer. Instead of worrying about the negatives, we must have an attitude of hope and dependency upon our Heavenly Father. He will never leave us nor forsake us.
V5 - 7 - The Lord caused the Arameans to imagine that an mighty army was coming against them and so they fled. The Lord "fought" for Israel and delivered the nation once again.
What I learn
God is good all the time and all the time, God is good! He will always deliver His children from harm. He has won and Satan has lost!
V9 - 10 - The lepers discovered that the enemies had fled their camp, leaving behind plenty of food, clothing and other provision. While they had an initial desire to simply enrich themselves, they realized that it was wrong. They had "good news" - deliverance and supply, and they rightly decided to proclaim the good news to those suffering.
What I learn
Just like the lepers, we have the good news of Jesus' salvation offer to share with others. We must not forget those who do not know about the hope of eternal life. Let us not be so pre-occupied with self that we keep the good news in wraps - let's proclaim it to those around us so that they will also be saved.
V12 - After hearing the good news, the king still doubted and feared that it was a set up instead of a miracle from God.
What I learn
The king did not have faith in God because he had not been intimate with Him. So, despite hearing Elisha's prophesy and the lepers' report, he still doubted. Let us learn to walk intimately with God daily, so that we can trust His instructions and directions for us with absolute confidence.
V17 - 20 - The faithless officer who did not believe that God would deliver the nation was trampled to death - just as Elisha had said that he would see of the miracle but would not eat any of it.
What I learn
Ask the Holy Spirit to help us to guard our heart and lip against any faithless banter and to erase all doubt in us. Let us trust God completely.
Summary
The king and his officer did not have faith in God because they had not been intimate with Him. There is consequence for not trusting in Him. The lepers decided correctly to share the good news of deliverance to the besieged people.
Your thoughts - share it with others, leave your thoughts by clicking "Comments"
Coming next ....
Ben-Hadad, king of Aram is murdered .... what can we learn from 2 Kings 8 ... coming up on 12th May.
Dear Steven, I was convicted by what you wrote: "the king's officer did not believe and even mocked God directly. To say that God cannot rescue them showed the officer's lack of hope and faith in God. For that reason, Elisha proclaimed judgment on him (which came to pass in V20)."
ReplyDelete"When problems come, be sure to guard our hearts" with "an attitude of hope and dependency upon our Heavenly Father".
There are times when we are upset with our situation and instead of praying we complain to God. This is so easy to do but like you said, we should guard our hearts an depend on our Heavenly Father to provide. Also may I add, we should guard our mouths even when we complain about others as this is lack of faith also since God can change them too.
Also, your application of "telling the good news" is very relevant and enlightening. When we tell people about Jesus, it seems too good to be true, so we think people won't believe us, but still we must tell them. Very blessed with your sharing thanks. Pastor Peter