Elisha Traps Blinded Arameans
8 Now the king of Aram was at war with Israel. After conferring with his officers, he said, “I will set up my camp in such and such a place.”9 The man of God sent word to the king of Israel: “Beware of passing that place, because the Arameans are going down there.” 10 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.
11 This enraged the king of Aram. He summoned his officers and demanded of them, “Tell me! Which of us is on the side of the king of Israel?”
12 “None of us, my lord the king,” said one of his officers, “but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the very words you speak in your bedroom.”
13 “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.” 14 Then he sent horses and chariots and a strong force there. They went by night and surrounded the city.
15 When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?” the servant asked.
16 “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”
17 And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, LORD, so that he may see.” Then the LORD opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
18 As the enemy came down toward him, Elisha prayed to the LORD, “Strike this army with blindness.” So he struck them with blindness, as Elisha had asked.
Reflections on 2 Kings 6:8-17 Checking the Eyes of My Own Heart
Ever had days when your morning starts out right all fired up for God then a barrage of bad news hits you non-stop the rest of the day? This was pretty much the day I had yesterday. Late afternoon, I tried to find comfort by listening bringing up my old playlists, songs, videos and eventually looking up old poems (Neruda, Frost, Stevenson, etc). They just got me to dwell more on my circumstances and made me even more desperate. Weary, I turned to the Psalms last night as I was about to go to bed. I was led back to Psalm 73. I found Asaph lamenting about his own situation and was strangely comforted knowing that even great men of God (Asaph) also went "through" something similar. In the end admitting and declaring that even if his heart and flesh fail, the strength of his heart and portion was God.
This morning in my quiet time, as I continued in my reading of 2 Kings, I came across this passage in Chapter 6:8-17. Elisha was with his servant and they were hunted down and surrounded by the King of Aram (v.13-14). Interestingly, I looked at my day yesterday and began to see the parallel. As one bad thing happens after another, its easy to feel as if we are being hunted down, targeted, surrounded, etc. In verse 15, Elisha’s servant comes out and sees them surrounded by an army of horses and chariots. At this point, the servant cries out “Oh, no my Lord. What shall we do?”. I praise God for the servant’s response. For here, I find myself convicted. I realized that yesterday, in the midst of what I was experiencing I failed to respond humbly by asking my Lord, “what would you have me do, Lord?” Instead, I found myself shooting from the hip, relying on my own strength and my limited wisdom and understanding to “handle” the situations I faced. Sadly, my strength, wisdom and understanding for whatever they’re worth, will never be enough. As such, I found the eyes of my heart and my thoughts focused on my surroundings, my circumstances, my troubles—the chariots and horses around me (v.15).
What I find so amazing in this passage is the contrast between the servant’s reaction and Elisha’s reaction. Elisha steps out and very calmly says to the servant “Do not be afraid, those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” I can just imagine how the servant must have felt about his master at that time. He must have been saying to himself : “Uh-oh, now we’re really doomed my master has gone nuts and is seeing things that are not there!” I realize again the parallel in our lives today, when people around see us faced with impossible situations and in obedience and faith we claim God’s promises and rely on His power and faithfulness, people will think “we are crazy”. I dare to think that this is part of God’s design. For only in this manner will others see Him and know His power to deliver those who believe.
Elisha must have realized this and begins to pray for his servant’s eyes to be opened. Then the Lord opened the eyes of the servant and the servant looked and saw the hills filled with horses and chariots of fire. Amazing! The passage continues in v.18-23, with Elisha praying and God striking down the enemy army and a feast ensuing as a result of the victory.
As a Christian, it gives me amazing comfort and peace to be reminded that my God’s resources (His word, His promises, His whole army!) are always there for me to call on should I ever need it. All I need do is “open the eyes of my heart” by intently reading His word to get attuned to His will and get to know Him. Then and only then will I be able to see and experience the immense presence and power of the God that I serve.
My prayer is that as Christians about to start this day that He has given us, we declare by faith that this and all the days of the rest of our earthly lives are days "that He has made". That nothing shall happen to us apart from His sovereign will and perfect plan. That the eyes of our hearts be opened so that we may see His will for us today as He speaks through His word (the Bible) and in so doing experience His faithfulness and power!
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