Elisha Protected

2 Kings 6:8-17

The king of Syria came to fight against Joram, king of Israel. In planning for the battle, the king of Syria instructed his army where they were to encamp, hoping to take his enemy by surprise. But Elisha sent a message to Joram and warned him not to go near the place where the Syrians were. In this way, Joram was saved from his enemies. This happened several times, so that the Syrian king was certain that someone of his own people was informing the Israelites of his plans.

This troubled the king of Syria very much. He called his servants and asked them, “Who has been telling the king of Israel where I pitch my camp? Tell me who it is that does this.”

One of his servants answered, “It is not one of us, O king, but it is Elisha, the prophet of Israel. He knows all the secret things you do, and he tells them to the king of Israel.”

When the king of Syria heard this, he sent his men to spy where Elisha was, so that he could send an army to take him prisoner. He hoped that this would solve his problem. His men soon returned to tell the king that Elisha was in the city of Dothan.

He soon made ready chariots, horses, and a great army, and sent them to Dothan, hoping to capture Elisha. When the soldiers came to Dothan, it was night. No one saw them coming; everyone in the city was asleep. The army surrounded the city, and then they waited until morning. Elisha's servant rose very early that morning. When he went out, he saw that the city was surrounded with horses, chariots, and soldiers. The servant was very frightened, and he cried, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?”

Was Elisha frightened? No! He knew that God had more power than all his enemies, and he trusted in God to take care of him in this danger. Elisha said to his servant, “Fear not! Those that are with us are more than those with our enemies.”

Was there a large army of Israelites situated in the city of Dothan at that time? No, there were no soldiers in the city of Dothan. The people of Dothan were not prepared to do battle with the army of Syrians. However, Elisha saw what the servant did not see. He saw a wonderful and beautiful sight that comforted him and made him feel safe.

Then Elisha prayed to the Lord that the servant might also be able to see this wonderful sight. His prayer was, “Lord, I pray Thee, open his eyes, that he might see.”

God heard Elisha's prayer, and He opened the young man's eyes. Then he saw that the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha. These chariots and horses were sent to protect Elisha from his enemies. Who had sent them? God Himself had done so. He often sends His holy angels from heaven to help and protect His people on earth. Elisha's enemies did not see this heavenly host; but God gave Elisha and his servant power to see them. Elisha had no need to fear, for his enemies could not resist the power of God's army.

In Psalm 34 David said, “The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear Him, and delivereth them.” David had experienced this many times, and it is to the comfort of God's people that this is shown them time and again in God's Word. It is God who sends His holy angels to protect His people. They are ministering spirits sent by the Lord to help them in all their needs.

The psalmist of Psalm 91 could say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and fortress: my God; in Him will I trust.” And in another psalm we read, “Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear.” In these texts we may see why Elisha was not afraid, for he knew that God was on his side.

There are many different kinds of dangers in the lives of God's people. The apostle Peter in his epistle said, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” How necessary it then is that they be protected from the dangers which come upon them by day and by night! But when they may look unto Him, they may also say, “I will not be afraid what man can do unto me.”

Our prayer must be, “Lord, may that blessing also be given me.”

Deze tekst is geautomatiseerd gemaakt en kan nog fouten bevatten. Digibron werkt voortdurend aan correctie. Klik voor het origineel door naar de pdf. Voor opmerkingen, vragen, informatie: contact.

Op Digibron -en alle daarin opgenomen content- is het databankrecht van toepassing. Gebruiksvoorwaarden. Data protection law applies to Digibron and the content of this database. Terms of use.

Printen