
Despite his prior ties with the Samarian establishment, Elisha continues to play a pivotal role in repelling Syrian raids. Notably, he is functioning as a “state prophet” at this juncture. When the king dispatches a team to apprehend Elisha, Yahweh defends him, revealing that he is surrounded by an invisible divine army (similar to Elijah in 2 Kings 2). Furthermore, the Syrians are blinded and led to the heart of Samaria, where their sight is restored. The Israelites emerge victorious in a stunning fashion, and Yahweh’s servants treat the enemy soldiers kindly.
Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” The way we see things should be shaped by our knowledge of God. He turns danger into deliverance, panic into peace, and battle into a banquet. Jesus came to rescue us as the champion of heaven and still dispatches members of his heavenly army to minister to us (Hebrews 1:14). Let our prayer be OPEN OUR EYES so that we may see things for how they truly are.
Outline
The enemy is
The eyes of faith see everything
Application
Have your eyes been opened through faith?
Are you fighting spiritual battles with worldly weapons?
Do the people outside The Orchard experience the love of Jesus through us?
Questions
- Elisha knew the plans made by the Aramean king only because God knew them. God knows even our most private moments. How does this make you feel? Ashamed? Secure?
- Behind the scenes of this physical world, the angelic armies are deployed against the legions of hell. The world is a battleground for the souls of human beings. Jesus, our divine warrior, has defeated Satan and his forces, but until the last moments of history, Satan rails against God. Where do you see the war between good and evil in our society? In your own life?
- Sometimes, we feel overwhelmed by life. We feel beaten down by people and circumstances. The prophet said to his servant in the midst of crisis: “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” Do you recognize this truth in your own life? If not, why not?
- Elisha returned good for evil to this army, seeking his life. What does this tell us about God? How are Elisha’s actions in this regard reflected in the commands of God?
- Read Colossians 2:13–15. How does the fact that we now live in the shadow of the Cross and the Resurrection make a difference in how you view areas of defeat in your life? Confess your lingering doubts and defeats to our Lord, who is full of compassion and forgiveness.