Elisha’s was God prophet, in this particular instance he was able to tell the king of Israel where the king of Aram was going to set up camp. “9 The man of God sent word to the king of Israel: “Beware of passing that place, because the Arameans are going down there. ” So the king of Israel checked on the place indicated by the man of God. Time and again Elisha warned the king, so that he was on his guard in such places”2 Kings 6:9-10 (New International Version). When the King of Aram found out it was Elisha and his gift of prophesy that were informing on him to the King of Israel, he sent his officers out to find him.
They did and proceeded to surround the city to capture Elisha. “Go, find out where he is,” the king ordered, “so I can send men and capture him. ” The report came back: “He is in Dothan. ” Then he sent horses and chariots and a strong force there. They went by night and surrounded the city (2 Kings 6:13-14). The next morning Elisha’s servant saw what was going on and was frightened, but Elisha prayed for God to enable the servant to see the army of God surrounding Elisha. Elisha then asks God to blind the Arameans, and proceeds to lead them into Samaria.
Once there, he prays for the Lord to let them see, “After they entered the city, Elisha said, “Lord, open the eyes of these men so they can see. ” Then the Lord opened their eyes and they looked, and there they were, inside Samaria” (2 Kings 6:20) The Israelite king asks if he should kill the Aram soldiers, and Elisha tells him to take them inside and feed them. “”Do not kill them,” he answered. “Would you kill those you have captured with your own sword or bow? Set food and water before them so that they may eat and drink and then go back to their master. ”
So he prepared a great feast for them, and after they had finished ating and drinking, he sent them away, and they returned to their master. So the bands from Aram stopped raiding Israel’s territory (2 Kings 6:22-23). By telling the king to feed them and treat them well, he ended a war with Aram. War benefits no one but the bankers, so by ending this one, God, through Elisha, showed His care for His people. Elisha was faithful to God, and so God was faithful to Elisha and all the Israelites. In this particular instance, God used Elisha ability to listen, and see beyond what others took for granted as being all that there is.
Elisha trusted God not only to lead him on a journey of helpfulness, but also a path where God would protect and provide for him. Elisha trusted God to help when he, Elisha, asked. God fulfilled and repaid that faithfulness many times, providing great miracles. Such a one is portrayed in this passage. A king’s plans were known, and Israelites were saved from battle. An army was blinded, and a city was saved from slaughter and pillage. An army was handed over to the king of Israel, who listened to and trusted God’s prophet, the end result being peace, of a kind, with Aram.
Again, saving Israelite lives and property. God continues to lay blessings upon the Israelites regardless of the sin running rampant throughout the people. They do not listen to the prophet Elisha, and this brings about their destruction. “In the Books of Kings the greatest single cause for the failure of Israel was the policies of their kings and their lack of obedience to the prophetic word” (Arnold & Beyer, 2008, p. 240). The people had allowed sin to flourish, and the result was death and destruction to the whole nation.
Deuteronomy stated clearly that Israel would succeed in the Promised Land only if the people remained faithful to the covenant. Disobedience meant the nation would lose the land. In a simple doctrine of retribution, Moses linked covenant faithfulness to blessings and disobedience to future curses (Dt 27-28). … It provided the theological explanation for the nation’s fall and the loss of the Promised Land. Northern Israel failed because of the crimes, (of their kings)” (Arnold & Beyer, 2008, p. 247). During the times I have not listened to, or turned away from God, I and my family have suffered.
We have been prey to bad people, and we have lost everything. A few times. I have learned by taking the rough road that without God’s presence, leadership, and Grace in my life, there is danger and failure. When I am walking with God, bad things still happen, but I am able to deal with them and find a way out for myself, and sometimes my children. I am learning to not forgive myself, and allow God to love me, I set us all up for defeat. Iam getting used to living in Grace. I want that for my children. I want that for everyone! God is good, and we are blessed. Even with the hard things that temper us.