Today’s Reading: 2 Kings 6:24 – 7:20
Some time later, however, King Ben-hadad of Aram mustered his entire army and besieged Samaria. As a result, there was a great famine in the city. The siege lasted so long that a donkey’s head sold for eighty pieces of silver, and a cup of dove’s dung sold for five pieces of silver. — 2 Kings 6:24-25
Same city, same enemy, different king. The memory of Israel’s kindness to the Aramean army was long forgotten, and the new king of Aram now had the Israelites trapped within the walls of Samaria. The people had run out of food and were starving. Women were even killing their babies in order to have something to eat.
What a difficult time to be a leader! The king of Israel was powerless to help his people. An authority stronger than his was now in control and the king was grieving what his people were going through. He tore his clothes in despair and wore burlap under his robe in mourning. And as often happens to us, his grief turned to anger and he lashed out at the man of God for not rescuing the city of Samaria.
“May God strike me and even kill me if I don’t separate Elisha’s head from his shoulders this very day,” the king vowed. — 2 Kings 6:31
It seems unfair, doesn’t it? It was not Elisha’s fault that famine had hit the city of Samaria, and yet he was getting the blame. He, too, was being impacted by the actions of King Ben-hadad, yet there was this expectation on him that he was somehow supposed to provide a way out from under the circumstances of battle.
We are living in the reality of a pandemic, and yet we often lash out at others for not rescuing us. Pastors get cornered by one parishioner who says they won’t come to church if they are made to comply with the mask order; he turns around and there is another person in the congregation who has just lost a loved one and is begging him to make everyone wear a mask. Half of the board leadership says we are called by God to comply with the government and the other half says we need to stand up for our freedom. We are eighteen months into the pandemic and our pastors are weary from the burden they have been forced to carry. We say how sad it is that pastors are experiencing depression and others are turning to suicide, yet we unload our opinions on our own pastor. God, forgive us.
Elisha replied, “Listen to this message from the Lord! This is what the Lord says: By this time tomorrow in the markets of Samaria, six quarts of choice flour will cost only one piece of silver, and twelve quarts of barley grain will cost only one piece of silver.” The officer assisting the king said to the man of God, “That couldn’t happen even if the Lord opened the windows of heaven!” But Elisha replied, “You will see it happen with your own eyes, but you won’t be able to eat any of it!” — 2 Kings 7:1-3
Four lepers were tired of starving and decided to give themselves up to the Aramean army. As they walked towards the enemy camp, the Lord caused their footsteps to sound like chariots and galloping horses to the ears of their enemy. In their panic to run from what they thought was an attacking enemy, they left behind all of their livestock, food, gold & silver. The lepers went from tent to tent enjoying the wine and food left behind. They went back to Samaria and announced the news that their enemy was no longer there.
The king did not recognize God’s provision at first, and feared it was an ambush. But when some of his soldiers came back confirming the good news, he announced it to the city and all the people rushed out to fill their arms with the plunder. So Elisha’s prophecy came true. The king’s servant was skeptical and chose to be pessimistic about the possibilities of the future. For his lack of faith, he missed the opportunity to enjoy God’s provision when he was trampled by the hungry crowd running out of the city. With his own eyes, he saw God’s generosity but he did not get the opportunity to experience it himself.
Father God, I do not want to miss a moment of the miracles you have in store for your people. Give me eyes to see you glorified in situations where people are hungry; give me ears to hear your people praising you in the midst of a pandemic. Forgive me for my complaints and my cynicism, and fill my heart with the kind of faith that believes you can turn our famine into feasting.
My prayer for you this morning is that you will feel the presence of God, and that you will see Him working on your behalf WITH YOUR OWN EYES. He loves you, and He sees what you need. May He give you faith today to believe that He will provide tomorrow.