WELCOME
By Nikki Derouin
This section in 2 Kings is at the epoch of moral and physical depravity for the people of Samaria. The Northern Kingdom had forsaken the Lord and everything was visibly collapsing on their faulty foundation.
The citizens of Samaria found themselves surrounded and besieged by the armies of Syria. In their desperation, they were led to spend extreme amounts of money on vile and unclean food sources. Many were even driven to eat their own children. Yet, even in their sin, one man sought the favor of the Lord on behalf of the people of Samaria. As always, God would stay His punishment to those who would repent of their sins. It was for this release that Elisha sought the Lord because of the people.
Elisha wanted to let the desperate people know that the Lord would avenge their enemies and save their city. What had once been valuable and unattainable resources would suddenly be available to all the people.
“Then Elisha said,
“Hear the word of the LORD. Thus says the LORD: ‘Tomorrow about this time a
seah of fine flour shall be sold for a shekel and two seahs
of barley for a shekel, at the gate of Samaria.’” ( 2 Kings 7:1)
(This would be similar to someone saying tomorrow gas would be a penny a
gallon!)
Yet there were those who had not only lost their faith in being spared, but
also their faith in God’s abilities. The officer of the king felt that these
predictions were false and exaggerated. Because of his doubt, Elisha
predicted that this officer would not benefit from the blessings of the
Lord.
“So an officer on whose hand the king leaned answered the man of God and said, “Look, if the LORD would make windows in heaven, could this thing be?” And he said, “In fact, you shall see it with your eyes, but you shall not eat of it.” (2 Kings 2:2)
It is at this point that we are introduced to four men. These men were not high officials or soldiers. They were leprous men who were unable to enter the city because of their deadly and contagious disease. Yet these men decided to take a “rational risk.”
“Now there were four leprous men at the entrance of the gate; and they said to one another, “Why are we sitting here until we die? If we say, ‘We will enter the city,’ the famine is in the city, and we shall die there. And if we sit here, we die also. Now therefore, come, let us surrender to the army of the Syrians. If they keep us alive, we shall live; and if they kill us, we shall only die.” (2 Kings 7:3-4)
These four men not only came to a rational conclusion, they also carried through their plan. In the end, they were caught off guard by an option they had never considered!
And they rose at twilight to go to the camp of the Syrians; and when they had come to the outskirts of the Syrian camp, to their surprise no one was there. For the Lord had caused the army of the Syrians to hear the noise of chariots and the noise of horses—the noise of a great army; so they said to one another, “Look, the king of Israel has hired against us the kings of the Hittites and the kings of the Egyptians to attack us!” Therefore, they arose and fled at twilight, and left the camp intact—their tents, their horses, and their donkeys—and they fled for their lives. (2 Kings 7:5-7)
These men had been left on the outskirts of the city with inadequate food, clothing, or shelter. Now, quite unintentionally, they were provided with more than they could ever need!
And when these lepers came to the outskirts of the camp, they went into one tent and ate and drank, and carried from it silver and gold and clothing, and went and hid them; then they came back and entered another tent, and carried some from there also, and went and hid it. (2 Kings 7:8)
Yet these men’s consciences began to
grate at them. Here they were, the only boundary between the destitute city
and the resources they so desperately needed. To their credit, these men
went to the city and shared their good news with the cities inhabitants.
Then they said to one another, “We are not
doing right. This day is a day of good news, and we remain silent. If we
wait until morning light, some punishment will come upon us. Now therefore,
come, let us go, and tell the king’s household.” Therefore, they went and
called to the gatekeepers of the city, and told them, saying, “We went to
the Syrian camp, and surprisingly no one was there, not a human sound—only
horses and donkeys tied, and the tents intact.” And the gatekeepers called
out, and they told it to the king’s household inside.” (2 Kings 7:9-11)
Although there was a degree of caution and fear on first hearing this news, the people of the city eventually ran out to gather the plunder of the Syrians and enjoy the bounty the Lord had blessed them with.
“Then the people went out and plundered the tents of the Syrians. So a seah of fine flour was sold for a shekel and two seahs of barley for a shekel, according to the word of the LORD.” (2 Kings 7:16)
Just as Elisha had predicted … the people were blessed according to the word of the Lord! The only thing that stood between their impoverished condition and the amazing plunder of the Syrians was their faith in the words of the prophet and the leprous men. Because of their faith, these people were able to see the power of the Lord and experience greater blessings then they could ever imagine!
Questions:
1) Many have left the Lord and sought their own ways. What is the ultimate “reward” for their faulty foundations? (Romans 3:12, 16; 6:23)
2) What are some things that Christ has promised to bless us with?
3) What kept the king’s officer from accepting Elisha’s words? What keeps many today from accepting the blessings of God?
4) Thought Question: There are many reasons for believing in God. What are some reasons you believe in God? Many people claim that you cannot know whether or not there is a God. For these people, why is believing in God a “rational risk” that they should be willing to explore? If you are unable to answer these questions with confidence, I encourage you study this topic more fully. There are many good books on the subject of Christian Evidences.
5) Many times, we do not have enough faith to do the things that the Bible asks us to do. Scriptures that encourage and command us to “step out of our comfort zone” often have great blessing in store if we are obedient. Some of the greatest commands are to teach the lost, give of ourselves, and depend on God. What area have you been fearful of? What is keeping you from “stepping into the camp”? What are some blessings that you know are waiting for you?
6) What has God promised to bless us with? (Ephesians 1:3)
7) What are the benefits for walking by faith? (Ephesians 3:20)
8) The lepers decided to share the good news with the people in need. Read Galatians 3. List the five places that ‘all’ is used and their context. (e.g. “all have red shoes”) What are we to share with all people? (Matthew 28:18-20 – list the three places that “all” is used and their context.)
9) Do a word search on “rejoice.” Just read through the passages!
10) What happened to the officer who did not believe the words of Elisha? (2 Kings 7:17-20) What will ultimately happen to those who do not believe the word of the Lord?
All Scripture is taken from the NKJ Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson,Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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